What is happiness?
Money and status aren't the priority here in Denmark; a simple life is. The world's happiest nation is Denmark for years!
Here are their secrets:
1
No difference in status: everyone enjoys the same respect from a street musician to a lawyer.
2
Inner security is the key to happiness: That is TRUST
Trust to leave your bike unlocked.
Trust to leave their babies in a stroller unattended while they're inside a store. Trust in each other.
In fact, 96 percent of people say they know someone they could rely on in times of need. This sense of security helps keep stress levels down and happiness levels up.
3
They strike that great balance between work, life and family. And all of that leads to happiness. Never Overwork, instead, spend more time with family and community, volunteering work. 40% of nation are volunteers.
4
Physical exercises keeps the nation health and happy. Biking is the Norm.
Half of all commuters here in Denmark travel to work or school by bike every single day
5
Higher level of satisfactions don't come from fancy vacations, but time with family, laughing, building memories.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/22/denmark-happiest-country_n_4070761.html
http://english.mingpao.com/cfm/database3.cfm?File=20141128/screeneng/1128cnn.txt
The 10 Habits of Optimism
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/22/denmark-happiest-country_n_4070761.html#slide=start
Money and status aren't the priority here in Denmark; a simple life is. The world's happiest nation is Denmark for years!
Here are their secrets:
1
No difference in status: everyone enjoys the same respect from a street musician to a lawyer.
2
Inner security is the key to happiness: That is TRUST
Trust to leave your bike unlocked.
Trust to leave their babies in a stroller unattended while they're inside a store. Trust in each other.
In fact, 96 percent of people say they know someone they could rely on in times of need. This sense of security helps keep stress levels down and happiness levels up.
3
They strike that great balance between work, life and family. And all of that leads to happiness. Never Overwork, instead, spend more time with family and community, volunteering work. 40% of nation are volunteers.
4
Physical exercises keeps the nation health and happy. Biking is the Norm.
Half of all commuters here in Denmark travel to work or school by bike every single day
5
Higher level of satisfactions don't come from fancy vacations, but time with family, laughing, building memories.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/22/denmark-happiest-country_n_4070761.html
http://english.mingpao.com/cfm/database3.cfm?File=20141128/screeneng/1128cnn.txt
The 10 Habits of Optimism
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/22/denmark-happiest-country_n_4070761.html#slide=start
1.
Have Gratitude
"It all starts with counting our blessings. If you are not
grateful for the good things in your life, you will never be satisfied. Take
inventory of the good around you. But don't neglect what's not great, either:
You also need to be grateful for the hardships, the obstacles, the failures.
Why? Because these are the points of wisdom in your life. They give you
strength, they teach you how to persevere, and they form your resilience. Being
thankful for every step makes life’s hardships surmountable. All of this is the
foundation of optimism; being psyched about the good and the bad, and knowing
that they all point to a bright future."
2.
Share Your Stories
"I believe we all have the capacity to live optimistically
just by sharing our life’s adventures, our successes and even our failures.
Just knowing others have been in the same boat and have persevered is
comforting. It spreads a message of hope, and hope is the main ingredient in
optimism. When we share our stories we are giving others the tools they need to
build, evolve, and persevere. In essence, mankind is always 'paying it forward.
3.
Forgive
"This is easier said than done but you need to forgive
those that have affected your ability to find the silver linings. I believe
that the easiest way to forgive and move on is to reflect on the fact that the
past is the past. Just look at it this way; the person that you are having a
hard time forgiving probably wishes that he or she could erase the past as
well. In summary, make peace with your past so that it won't spoil the present.
Once you accomplish this, you will close those chapters and live a more
positive and happy life."
4.
Be A Better Listener
"When you listen you open up your ability to take in more
knowledge versus blocking the world with your words or your distracting
thoughts. You are also demonstrating confidence and respect for others.
Knowledge and confidence is proof that you are secure and positive with
yourself thus radiating positive energy."
5.
Turn Envy And Jealousy Into Energy
"When we envy others we are only hurting ourselves. The
universe does not owe you because someone else is better off than you. Channel
that energy into building your personal and professional brand. Consider other
people’s success the catalyst to help you achieve."
6.
Smile More, Frown Less
"When we smile we are creating a happy, stimulating
environment around us that draws others in. Frowning, on the other hand, shuts
people out and has the opposite effect. Happiness, even in brief doses,
releases Serotonin (the happy hormone). It makes the toughest days surmountable."
7.
Exercise, Eat A Healthy Diet And Take In Vitamin D
"This may be common advice, but we all need some form of
exercise and sunlight every day even -- if it’s only for 15 minutes. If you
can’t get natural sunlight, ask your doctor about Vitamin D supplements and/or
light therapy. If you can’t get exercise during your busy schedule, use the
staircase instead of the elevator or park in the furthest parking spot.
Whatever it takes, keep yourself in healthy motion as often as you can.
Consider balanced meals and don’t push away those fruits and vegetables. If you
feel hunger throughout the day, consider almonds and walnuts if you are not
allergic. If you are predisposed to allergies, consider frequent smaller meals
throughout the day instead of three larger ones. The energy we get from
exercise, a healthy diet, and light exposure gives us focus, clarity and a
naturally positive demeanor."
8.
Be A Positive Forward Thinker
"Positive forward thinking is the ability to find the
silver lining in every cloud, apply it to today or yesterday and be hopeful
that tomorrow will be better. Imagine surgery; you think the worse and can’t
wait for it to be over. Take all that and start visualizing what the point of
the surgery is and what the results of the procedure will deliver. The goal is
good, it’s only today that may seem rough. Or picture a student studying for a
grueling exam. It may seem like the end of the world trying to prepare and
memorize all this information. But take that energy and picture what your
degree can do for your future. Like anything else, working hard will always
deliver results. Life is not a lottery. It’s what you make of it."
9.
Stop Blaming Others
"It is so easy to
blame others for our position in life. People blame the economy, politicians,
bosses, and all types of third parties for their problems. Once you truly
accept that you control who you are, you will find that optimism and success
come naturally. Remember, opportunity is usually found in the valleys, not at
the peaks." 10. Understand That The Past Is Not
A Blueprint For The Future
"Just because you've experienced adversity in your life
does not mean that what starts badly will end badly. Do not make bad
experiences a self-fulfilling prophecy of what lies ahead. On the contrary,
know that those milestones are behind you and the road to the future is clear."