Happiness seems to defy logic. Those who pursued fame and fortune in the hope of achieving happiness do not seem to find them even after they have obtained all the luxuries and wealth they have long fought and worked hard to acquire. On the other hand, those who has little or nothing are happy and contented with simply having their families and loved ones around.

What does these two contrasting pictures tells us? First and foremost, it has shown us time and time again that fame, fortune and material wealth will never bring us happiness. Proof of this statement can be easily seen in the lives of the rich and famous who spend countless sessions with their shrinks and in rehab centres.

Most people miss out because they never discover the simple truth: we cannot find personal happiness by trying to please ourselves. Self-centered pursuits leave us unsatisfied and craving even more wealth, power, pleasure, beauty, status, etc. in a vain attempt to find happiness.

How Can We Achieve Happiness?

1.Stop Searching For Happiness - We are not going to find happiness even if we search for them to the ends of the earth. All great emperors, conquerors and warriors who has conquered vast lands and fortunes has not found them, so what makes us think we could do otherwise? Happiness is not out there, but inside our hearts and minds. If we can accept that, then and only then will we ever find happiness, otherwise we will remain unhappy forever.

2.Stop Comparing With Others - When you are tempted to compare with others, just think of the millions of homeless children who do not even have access to food, water , shelter or future. Think of the disabled who has to struggle to do the simple tasks which able bodied persons took for granted. Stop comparing and start appreciating what we have.

3.Stop Being Negative - When we feel angry, be happy that we have won the fight by forgiving the other party. When we suffer, be happy that suffering will make us stronger and wiser. When we are poor, be happy that we will receive our inheritance in heaven. When we fail, be happy that we still have our life. When we lose our loved ones, be happy that they are now in the hands of God. In all situations, God is there with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. All we need to do is to cast our burdens to Him for He cares for us.

How Can We Experience Happiness?

1.Love Others - The greatest form of happiness we can experience is to love others. We will never find personal happiness from pursuing our own self happiness. Its time we reverse that thinking and start to pursue happiness by loving others and making others happy.

2.Help Others - Perhaps the simplest form of happiness we can experience is to help make a better life for others who are less fortunate than us with our talent, time , wealth or any forms of assistance we could provide. This seems to work with many people from the ordinary folks to the rich billionaires.

3.Forgive Others - When we forgive others, we put a painful past behind us and open ourselves up to new relationships with God, other people and ourselves. By forgiving others, we release ourselves from the emotional bondage of hatred and anger that is draining us and opens the door to our own happiness, forgiveness and blessings from God.