Getting more happiness, meaning, etc. in your life

I've just run across a post by P.J. Eby at dirtsimple.org on attention that contains this:

I was thinking as if all knowledge could be recorded and transmitted via books -- completely ignoring the fact that no behavioral knowledge can actually be transmitted that way. You can only learn how to do something from a book, in the sense that you can get enough of an idea to be able to teach yourself. The actual learning has to happen in a "situated" way -- that is, within your mind/body complex.

Reading books on how to be happier, more optimistic, have better relationships, or experience more meaning in your life will give you the knowledge to select high-payoff courses of action.  But it is the action, trying things out, living it that will get you what you seek.  Kids can learn to play baseball, or dance, or cook without ever reading a word about the activity.  You will start to move your life in the direction you seek, not by thinking about it, but by action.  Whether that action is starting or increasing your time in meditation, trying to warm up your marriage, or identifying and intensifying the parts of your job that you make you strong, do it.  Start now.  You can think more about it later!

Photo: "Tai" by SpecialKolin

Comments

[Hypnotherapy Surrey]

Someone told me a long time ago, 'it's not what happens to you but how you react to it'. By focusing on positive goals, taking action on those goals and minimising the amount of time you spend thinking of negative things in your life, you will automatically become happier.

[Greg Cynamon]

That surely is an interesting read.

There's an array of ways to get happier in life..we can have it either in simple or complex ways. However, it seems to me that quest for happiness has no finish line - the thing that can make you happy today might not give you the same level of happiness tomorrow because of the thing called "you get used to it".