How to Be Your Own Happiness Warrior
- Written by Eric North
The definition of the Happy Warrior is defined by Merriam Webster as: One who is undaunted with difficulties or opposition.
I’ve always felt there was something in my DNA to set things right, and regardless of what’s going on in my day I’m always ready to help someone who might be struggling, or who needs lifting up. Helping people to feel good about themselves, making them laugh and learning how good it feels when their happy, plays a big part in who I am. I’m here to do everything I can to get you to think about how important happiness is and how once taken to heart, it can change your life. After years of entrepreneurial success with two thriving Washington DC based businesses dedicated to life changing therapies, I’ve found a new purpose and renewed passion in leading people to the next level in their emotional and spiritual lives as “The Happiness Warrior.”
When the pandemic began, my intuition (my inner voice) sent me a clear message: Now’s the time for real leaders to step up, guide, and help others to adapt to this rapidly changing world. All around me I saw people with doubts, fear of the unknown, confusion, loneliness, and reverting to unhealthy habits. The world was shutting down and people were giving up on themselves. Un-happiness seemed to be normalized and finding happiness was an afterthought. Too much food, too much tv, too much alcohol, too much self-pity and 24-hour negative news reports were bringing us down and crushing our optimism. I felt a strong call for me to do something above and beyond my daily life’s responsibilities and contribute in a way that I could make a difference. As a multi-business owner, I was accustomed to dealing with crises occurring at any time and my always present warrior mindset always helped me begin forging a new path to clear out the confusion and help find ways to move forward.
My journey to finding more happiness initially began a few years ago, as I began to question my purpose in life above and beyond my career and basic needs. I felt a strong urge to reach beyond my comfort zone and seek greater knowledge, gratitude, wisdom, and life experience. For me, the greatest part of this journey were the incredible connections I made along the way. I met amazing people who taught me things, were kind beyond what I ever expected and who gave me so much laughter, mentorship, and friendship. For the first time in my life, I felt that I was living a truly magical life and I wanted to share this incredible feeling. Learning to be happy has shown me that everything that I was looking for came from within. Living a life with happiness and purpose is my passion and the excitement and joy of helping to create happiness for others gave me a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration.
Happy people have a better outlook on life, are more productive, are healthier, laugh more, live longer, have less illness, live more meaningful lives, and are more able to express gratitude. Just being around happy people creates more happiness. Happy people learned to live with less fear, more optimism, more meaning and moments of joy and gratitude.
To begin bringing more happiness into your life:
-
Give yourself permission to be happy. This often the hardest step for many but if by taking this step and telling yourself that being happy is your natural state can be life changing
-
Know that the happiness of others is just as important as our own happiness
-
Follow the golden rule, treat all others with respect and value as you would like someone to treat you.
Creating a happier life starts with developing good habits, developing beneficial personal routines, finding reward from greater personal discipline, and the belief that life is better when life is more meaningful. A clear understanding of purpose this creates greater self- awareness and inner peace. Happiness comes from our own actions.
Common traits of happy people:
-
Happy people live balanced and optimal lives
Everything is in our world is connected and every action has a resulting re-action. Living optimally means making the right choices, having the discipline to live with authenticity to yourself, and making the connection between the body and the mind. An optimal lifestyle is about maintaining balance. The better I care for my physical body the healthier my mental self.
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony”
--Thomas Merton
-
Happy people add value to the lives of others
Happy people consciously think of ways that they can help make other’s lives better. They have purpose and no that it gives their lives more meaning.
“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” --
Booker T. Washington
-
Happy people take care of their physical health
Happy understand the importance of taking care of their bodies.They’re more likely to exercise, make better nutrition choices, have better sleep patterns, with fewer aches and pains, recover better from injuries and illness and have healthier and better relationships. Happy people have made the mind/body connection and listen to their intuition (or “gut”).
‘The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.’ -- Bruce Lee
-
Happy people take personal responsibility
Happy people know that taking personal responsibility makes allows them to grow and forgive themselves when they make mistakes. Happy people take personal responsibility and never resort to blaming others for their actions and choices. They recognize their faults and work to improve on them.
People who are happy are often more trustworthy and honest. They practice self-awareness and forgive themselves for past errors and make sure they learn and grow from the experience. Happy people know that the truth is everything.
“There are two types of people in the world: those that do and those that make excuses why they don’t.” --Anonymous
-
Happy people seek other happy people
We are the sum of the five people we spend the most time with. One defining characteristic of happy people is they tend to spend time with and gravitate to other happy people. Unhappy people gravitate toward others who share their negative sentiments.
“Happy people have two things in common. They know exactly what they want and they feel they're moving toward getting it.” -- Barbara Sher
6. Happy people are passionate.
Happy people have more passion in their lives. They’re able to remove their inhibitions, tackle their fears, and follow their dreams. Happy people have found what they’re looking for, they spend their time doing what they love, and they don’t care about other’s opinions.
“If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it.” -- Wanda Sykes
7. Happy people see challenge as opportunity
Happy people seek challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. They turn negatives into positives, making the best out of seemingly bad situations. Happy people seek solutions and creative ways of overcoming obstacles, they are undaunted.
“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” --Marcus Aurelius
8. Happy people live in the present
Happiness comes from living in the present. There’s no happiness to be found in dwelling on the past and only anxiety when thinking about the future. Studies have found that people with more depressive symptoms and higher levels of anxiety tended to be more focused on the past and to have a more fatalistic view of the present. Greater joy is found in living in the present and focusing on where we are right now in life!
“The power for creating a better future is contained in the present moment: You create a good future by creating a good present” -- Eckhart Tolle
Instagram - @TheHappinessWarrior1
Twitter - The Happiness Warrior @ericlnorth1
