It is possible to lead a happier life if we follow and respect certain fundamental principles. Personal happiness is above all a question of attitude, making the right choices and understanding a few basic principles. We are the architects of our own happiness and, to a great extent, the master of our fate.

Principle number one on the quest for a happier life is understanding that personal happiness is a mental process and not the effect of outside circumstances. It’s an emotion that will flourish under circumstances that are within our control and not dependant on our life’s situation.

People have found happiness in demanding conditions and others have known despair while sitting on top of the world. Happiness resides in the mind and not in the outside world. It’s not our life’s experience that matters; it’s what we make of it that counts.

Principle number two is understanding that life is a gift. Not only is it a gift but also it’s the greatest gift there is. When we accept that point of view it creates an attitude of gratitude that changes the way that we see our life. It forces us to focus on all that we have been given rather than decry what could have been.

If we take only a minute to look at all the blessings that we have been given, we see that they eclipse by far what could be seen as hardships or challenging situations. We should evaluate our life by looking at the big picture and not by focusing only on what ails us.

It is a fact that we have challenges and they have to be acknowledged but we have to be fair in our assessment. When all is said and done, if we are rational about it, we see that life is truly the ultimate gift and that we owe a debt of gratitude for the miracle that we are.

Principle number three is the fact that, to be happy, we must have a life’s purpose, preferably a purpose that is larger than we are. Pursuing a purpose gives us a sense of significance; it forces us to grow as individual and it ads nobility to our life.

Serving a major purpose fulfills three basic human needs: growth, significance and contribution. For us to feel happiness these three basic needs have to be fulfilled and one of the best way of doing it is through the pursuit of lofty goals or a life’s purpose.

Principle number four is to start working with the cards that life has handed us and work outward from there. Wishful thinking will never get us anywhere. “What is is and what is not is not” is one of the basic principles of the Zen philosophy. Respecting that fundamental axiom is also a requirement for happiness.

Each of us has certain talents and certain resources. These are the cards that life has handed us. Those are the tools that we have available and they are the ones that we must use to get to whatever place that we want to go in life. Bemoaning what we don’t have is unproductive, childish and immature. We have to get past that if we wish to find happiness.

Principle number five is understanding that there is no free lunch. That is, understanding that there is always a price to pay for whatever it is that we want. Wishing and hoping for a free ride won’t ever get us anywhere. Nature is about cause and effect, not about wishful thinking.

We are the architect of our fate and the builder of our life. That’s what it is to be a responsible person versus the proverbial victim. We were lucky enough to be awarded the ultimate gift of life. What we do with it is our responsibility. Happiness is within our reach. All that we have to do to attain that blessed state is to adopt and respect the few principles such at the ones described here.

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Tags: attitude of gratitude, fundamental principles, happier life, life is a gift