#The Happiness Myths: Being happy is not what you THINK it is

By Sandra Goodman

‘#The Happiness Myths - Happiness is not what you THINK it is.’
What if everything you've been told about happiness is a lie? We chase dreams, amass wealth, and seek love, believing they'll bring us joy. But what if the real keys to happiness are hidden in plain sight, obscured by myths we've been conditioned to believe?

Dive into this provocative exploration that unravels the misconceptions surrounding happiness. From societal standards to personal beliefs, "#The Happiness Myths" challenges everything you thought you knew.
Are you ready to confront the truths and redefine happiness on your terms?
Discover a journey that will change your perspective forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press UK
• Release date: Oct 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781982287597

Book preview

Copyright © 2023 Sandra Goodman.

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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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All text by author Sandra Goodman 2023.

Email: [e-mail]

Website: sangoodman.com

ISBN: 978-1-9822-8758-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-8759-7 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 10/17/2023

Contents

Introduction

What is Happiness?

How we know we are happy or not

The Three Principles: Understanding the energy that animates us

Letting go of ‘shoulding’ and embracing self-acceptance

Getting to know yourself from the inside out

Understanding and processing emotions through self-awareness

What are #The Happiness Myths?

Why is happiness so elusive?

Understanding the difference between feelings and emotions

What are the social & cultural factors that affect happiness?

Social Connection

Cultural values

Income and economic stability

Education and career

Health and access to healthcare

Gender and identity

Community engagement

Religious and spiritual beliefs

10 steps to rediscovering the magic and secrets within

Step 1 – Understanding the importance of positive feelings and processing negative emotions

Step 2 – The power of thought: Understanding the relationship between thoughts and emotions

Step 3 - Living in the moment: How being present can transform your experience

Step 4 – Forgiveness and letting go of negative emotions

Step 5 – The power of gratitude: How being thankful can transform your life

Step 6 - Intentional living: Overcoming fear-based limitations and transforming thoughts and behaviours

Step 7 – The power of letting go: Embracing change and finding harmony in life

Step 8 – The importance of space and rest for happiness and alignment

Step 9 – Approaching life with an open mindset and connecting with inner guidance

Step 10 – The importance of loving yourself: Learning to love and be loved

How to make being happy a habit

Appendices

Introduction

Welcome to #The Happiness Myths. In this book we will explore the idea that happiness comes from the inside. Yes - happiness is an inside out job! We will show you that happiness is a peak state, meant to be temporary, rather than a state you are in permanently.

You will come to understand that healthy wellbeing is your natural state and your target to aim for in life, lite up by frequent moments of happiness. Stop chasing happiness on the outside and see yourself blossom from the inside out.

What if I told you that happiness is not what you think it is? In this book we will explore the idea that everything humans experience is felt within the body.

Joy, pain, fear, and happiness - it all comes from within. Looking for happiness outside of ourselves is like watching a movie and believing it’s the movie that makes us happy or sad, when in reality, it’s our reaction to what’s being projected that we feel and react to.

But don’t worry this book is not just a philosophical read on the nature of happiness it’s a practical guide to help you to navigate towards happiness and discover what truly brings joy and meaning into your life.

We’ll discover the spiritual, mental and physical aspects of the journey, including the importance of taking care of your energy and incorporating lifestyle choices around exercise and healthy nutrition.

Through personal stories and practical advice, we’ll challenge you to reconsider your beliefs about happiness and to cultivate habits and practices that can lead to a more fulfilling life.

We’ll also question the cultural and societal factors that shape our understanding of happiness and explore whether our current definition of happiness is accurate.

So, if you’re ready to stop chasing after happiness and start living a more authentic, meaningful, and sustainable life, join me on this journey of self-discovery and transformation.

Let’s uncover the happiness myths and discover what it really means to be happy.

What is Happiness?

Happiness is a complex and deeply personal experience, often defined differently by each individual. It may be described as a state of emotional wellbeing, contentment, and fulfilment. Or Happiness is not a constant state, but rather a collection of positive emotions and a general sense of satisfaction with life. In other words a ‘reaction to life!

Case Study

One client of mine had the opportunity to move from the Northwest to the south for her dream job. She visited the office and was amazed how relaxed the atmosphere was, the staff were working but there wasn’t any sense of time limits or urgency at all. My client was really drawn to this and made the decision to move. She had always wanted to work in a more relaxed environment with less pressure.

She knew it would be better for her health, and she would be happier doing her job. This opportunity was what she had been waiting for to make her dream come true.

Several months after she moved, she got in touch because she noticed that the relaxed atmosphere had disappeared.

She was experiencing the same pressure from time limits and sense of urgency that she had in her earlier role and began to wonder if she had made the right decision to move to the new job because nothing had changed? She was looking in the wrong place for happiness.

What she failed to realise was she bought with her the need to work to tight deadlines and have a sense of urgency to get her work done. So naturally her old thought patterns influenced her behaviour patterns and over the months, the ripple effect spread to others in the office and changed the atmosphere she experienced.

Until she made the connection that it was what she was thinking and feeling on the inside that influenced what happened on the outside, she was unable to do anything about it.

Getting the dream job could not make her happy, changing the relationship with her thoughts, feelings and subsequent behaviours could.

Once she began to notice her thinking and allow herself to ‘be different’ she began to move towards being happy within herself and her new job over time became the job of her dreams.

It’s important to remember that happiness is subjective and can vary from person to person. What brings happiness to one individual may not resonate with another. It’s a deeply personal journey of self-discovery and aligning with what truly matters to you.

Ultimately, happiness is not a destination but a continuous journey. It is found in the present