“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” – Ernest Hemingway
For most, being the best person possible is a paramount life goal. But what can you do to mold yourself into the best person you can be? What lifestyle choices can you make? Which habits are best broken? Are you subjecting yourself to these hampering behaviors which are huge roadblocks in the path to self-improvement? It might be time to take Mr. Hemingway’s advice to heart; make some major life changes in order for you to become the noblest person possible.
Ignoring Your Own Needs
While helping others is a wonderful and noble thing, you cannot forget your own needs. It is not necessary to put your own happiness on the back burner for the purpose of helping others. Your life is your own, and it would be a terrible thing to realize one day that you have spent your life neglecting your own needs and happiness for those of others. Think of it as making an investment in yourself – when your needs are fulfilled, you will be a happier and much more fulfilled person.
Fearing Your Mistakes
There is no full life which does not involve some risks, and some risks will lead you to make mistakes. However, the fear of making a mistake is something which holds many people back from the opportunity to challenge the confines of their comfort zone, thus depriving them of a chance to grow and progress as individuals. You might make a mistake, but if you do nothing, then you will certainly gain nothing. Additionally, when you realize a mistake that you have made, do not beat yourself up over it. Dwelling on our past mistakes does nothing to undo them – instead use the mistakes that you make as a chance to grow and learn. The next time that you are faced with a risky path into the unknown, allow the lessons which you have learned to help guide you down the right path.
Wasting Time on Those Who Don’t Deserve It
Negative people, selfish people, people who don’t appreciate you, fair-weather friends – we all know people like this. When we associate ourselves with negative people, those people have a tendency to negatively influence us. Your time is far too precious to be squandered on people who repay you only with negativity (tweet this). Instead, devote your time to people who are willing to devote their time to you – people who will be there to help you and lend support and a smile even when times are tough.
Focusing on “Having” Instead of “Being”
As cliché as it may be, it is true: money can’t buy happiness. We often look to materials to try and bring us happiness and satisfy longings within ourselves. These materials require money, and so we devote our attention to pursuing money. Instead, you should devote your attention to what makes you truly happy – whether that is family, friends, creative outlets or even just a little more down time to relax.
Conforming to Society’s Opinion of Beautiful
Hate to tell you this, but no matter how hard you try, there will always be someone younger, skinnier, buffer, and smarter than you. Why beat yourself up because you can’t compete with the Joneses? Instead of chasing the illusive American dream, why not try to be happy with the skin you’re in? If you buy weight loss injections to help you shed unwanted pounds or get a hair transplant to hide your bald spot or cover your body in colorful tattoos, make sure you are doing it for the right reason. Don’t try to “enhance” yourself just because you think other people will like you better as a result of your efforts. Be yourself and people will love you!
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The path to happiness is narrow but you’ll eventually get there
Looking to Others to Provide Your Happiness
If you draw all of your joy vicariously through others, then your happiness is dependent and variable. If these people should disappear, they would be taking your happiness with you. Your own personal happiness is something stable which is not dependent on those around you, it is the joy which you carry with you at all times. When you find this, your happiness becomes something concrete and unshakable. The root of happiness is not in the world around you – it lies inside you (tweet this)
Worrying About the Things You Cannot Change
There is nothing wrong with making plans, setting goals and having aspirations. However, being constantly worried whether these plans will be realized is just causing yourself unnecessary stress. When faced with an obstacle, clear your mind of all of the doubts and worries – not only will this make you much more relaxed and comfortable, but with the weight of those doubts lifted, you will be able to think and function more effectively. When we worry less about whether our hopes will be realized, we are better able to ensure our success (tweet this).
Not Being Open to Love
For many people, what is considered “love” is really more of a “mutual insurance against loneliness”. You should be open to receiving love, but you should never try to force it. Instead, be receptive to the possibility of love, and when love grows organically, embrace it wholeheartedly. It is important to always embrace true love but never to try and force yourself to love. It is then when we are able to see what truly matters, what doesn’t, and what stands between us and our own happiness.
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Photo credits to lexiejewel and sugarbop
The post Stop Doing These Things! Eight Obstacles To Happiness appeared first on YOU Every Second.