Quotes

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

Helen Keller


Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.

Oscar Wilde


When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

Helen Keller


Fear less, hope more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Talk less, say more;
Hate less, love more;
And all good things are yours.

Swedish Proverb


Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams.
Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.
Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.

Pope John XXIII


Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.

Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it.

Hatred darkens life; love illumines it.

Martin Luther King, Jr.


Challenges come so we can grow and be prepared for things we are not equipped to handle now. When we face our challenges with faith, prepared to learn, willing to make changes, and if necessary, to let go, we are demanding our power be turned on.

Iyanla Vanzant

Various forms of happiness

Many English language terms refer to various forms of happiness and pleasure. These terms vary in the intensity of the pleasure they describe, as well as the depth and longevity of the satisfaction. These include: bliss, joy, joyous, carefree, jubilant, exultant, cheerful, playful, amused, fun, glad, gay, gleeful, jolly, jovial, delighted, euphoric, ecstatic, thrilled, elated, enraptured, comfortable, harmonious, and triumphant. Gratification is a deep satisfaction gained from becoming totally absorbed in a complex activity or by working toward meaningful goals. Happiness can also be achieved in other various scenarios.

Why not be happy

Laughter is good for the soul.
We all should be happy.
Laughter is the biological reaction of humans to moments or occasions of humor: an outward expression of amusement. Laughter is subcategorised into various groupings depending upon the extent and pitch of the laughter: giggles, clicks (which can be almost silent), chortles, chuckles, hoots, cackles, sniggers and guffaws are all types of laughter. Smiling is a mild silent form of laughing.

Count your blessings.If you constantly compare yourself to those who seem to be happier and have more, you'll be miserable. In a study at the State University of New York, Buffalo, one group completed the sentence "I'm glad I'm not a _______," and another group finished the sentence "I wish I were a _______." The first group felt relatively happy afterward, but the second group, which focused on unfulfilled desires, came away feeling worse.

Fake a smile.A study from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, revealed that when students made frowning expressions by pushing their brows together, they felt angry -- even when watching cartoons -- but those who were induced to smile felt happier and found the shows funnier.

Five Best Mood-Boosting Foods

1. Air-popped popcorn.
The carbs raise your level of the brain chemical serotonin, helping you feel and sleep better.

2. Chocolate-dipped strawberries.
The fruit's antioxidants (vitamin C and beta-carotene) boost your mood by battling stress hormones, and the chocolate releases endorphins, another feel-good brain chemical.

3. Half a bagel...with fat-free cream cheese, topped with blueberries.
Eat this combo when you crave a doughnut; you'll get the carb-induced mood boost minus the sugar crash.

4. Grilled salmon
It's rich in omega-3 fatty oils, which studies show can lower the risk for depression.

5. Bananas
They're loaded with vitamin B6, which helps the body manufacture serotonin.

Get romantic.
Besides the fact that it's just plain fun, orgasm triggers your body to release endorphins (the brain chemicals that produce a sense of euphoria) and oxytocin (a hormone that has a calming, nurturing effect).

There are few better remedies for unhappiness than an intimate friendship with someone who cares deeply about you, confiding in others is good for the body as well as for the soul."