Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher.
Oprah Winfrey

Surrounding yourself with uplifting people is essential to your happiness. Of course, it sounds like a no-brainer but it’s not always easy. Everyone gets comfortable in relationships and some of which aren’t adding to your happiness quotient. My point is that it is a WHOLE lot easier to feel good about yourself and to develop habits of happiness when the people around you are already feeling happier. It’s actually a bit contagious.

Lifting Unhappiness

So my suggestion is really two-fold. First, I suggest you come up with a list of things that help you feel happier when you are all alone. My list is something like this:

– Have a Good Cry

– Go Swimming (Or yoga, walk on beach)

– Meditate

– Eat Super Healthy Meal

– Watch Funny Movie

– Read Spiritual Text (inspiring)

– Be Creative (write, paint, decorate)

All of the things above make me happier almost instantly when I am alone. I also periodically call one of my best friends who is wise and experienced — she’s a happiness mentor that can always give me a wider perspective. So my main happiness boosters are creativity, exercise, self-care and laughter. They move me from feeling the funk to seeing things differently and helping me begin again.

And from this stronger perspective then I can feel solid enough to surround myself consciously with happier people. I can attend spiritual services (this works for me) and enjoy the company of like-minded people that have the happiness thing down. Because as I really feel supported, loved and nurtured by happier people they not only lift me up but allow me to shine my light brighter.

Happiness “Ah-Ha”

Not long ago I had this amazing “Ah-ha” when I was participating in a spiritual community that they needed me as much as I needed them. And it is this idea of interconnectedness that is where happiness can happen easier. Specifically someone asked me about their son who just lost his best friend in a tragic car accident and what they can do for him while he grieves. I shared my thoughts and this dad thanked me profusely for the spot-on advice. I felt better too.

So another key to happiness besides surrounding yourself with happier people is thinking less about yourself — and more about others. Of course, that can only happen when you stop inwardly focusing and look around your life asking really important questions like: How can I serve? What makes me happy? Can I share those gifts with others today?  So surrounding yourself with others is a key step to happiness but in that process you can capitalize on the chance to helping them become happier too. Give it a try.

By Maureen Dawn Healy

Maureen is a popular author, speaker and healer working with parents and children globally. Her last books include: Growing Happy Kids, and The Energetic Keys to Indigo Kids, along with her well-regarded blog on Psychology Today. More info: www.growinghappykids.com and www.twitter.com/mdhealy