SECRETS OF SPIRITUAL HAPPINESS: What Spiritual Happiness Isn't

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Secrets of Spiritual Happiness

What Spiritual Happiness Isn't

By Sharon Janis

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Spiritual happiness is not just a particular way of looking or acting. You can't always tell right away who is or isn't spiritually happy just by their outer appearance. For example, spiritual happiness doesn't mean that you have to walk around smiling all the time and jumping up and down with glee, although there is nothing wrong with smiling or jumping up and down with glee.

Although spiritual happiness does tend to shine through visibly in your face and your life, being spiritually happy doesn't necessarily mean that everyone has to always know that you are spiritually happy. For example, if you are a spiritually happy elementary school teacher with an unruly class, you may have to demonstrate what appears to be anger or sternness at times in order to control and guide your students. Yet, even then, you can still be completely spiritually happy and comfortably identified with the deep soul witness that always enjoys the show.

Another reason that you may sometimes choose to be happy and know it, but not "clap your hands and show it," can be due to responses you may have received while expressing happiness in the past. Some people may have interpreted your happiness as a sign of foolishness. Others may have responded to your happiness with jealousy, or may have even interpreted your happiness as a personal insult to them (people are funny creatures!) In fact, there are some people who - seeing someone who is happy - will test the person, and try to bring him or her back down into "not-so-happy land with the rest of us."

Therefore, remember that you don't always have to look massively happy to be massively happy!

by Sharon Janis

Part of the Night Lotus Productions Spiritual Multimedia Online Retreat

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Introduction

Preliminary notes to the reader

Section One: Exploring Happiness

The Science of Happiness

Why is Happiness So Elusive?

Happiness Comes From Within

Are You Already Happy?

Different Folks, Different Strokes (Quotes about Happiness)

Section Two: Introducing Spiritual Happiness

Coining the Term, Spiritual Happiness

The Difference Between Relative and Spiritual Happiness

Spiritual Happiness and the Happiness Hierarchy

What Spiritual Happiness Isn't

The Theories Behind Spiritual Happiness

Upgrading Your Spiritual Happiness Software

Spiritual Happiness in Action

Section Three: 39 Secrets of Spiritual Happiness

1. Relax!

2. Inspire Your Atmosphere

3. Know Thyself

4. Enjoy Being You

5. Remember Who You Really Are

6. Know Your Weakest and Strongest Links

7. Cultivate Dual Awareness

8. Happiness is a State of Mind

9. Learning to Smile

10. Play the Game of Life with Empowerment

11. Great Faith Brings Great Freedom

12. Count Your Blessings

13. There's Always Good News

14. Choose Happiness

15. If You're Going to Do Something, Do it Cheerfully

16. Be Aware of the Words You Use

17. Positive Communications Bring Greater Happiness

18. There's Always a Way to Create Happiness

19. Arrange Your Priorities

20. A Personal Sharing About Shifting Priorities

21. Don't let Others Tell You What Will Make you Happy

22. Be Careful About the Company You Keep

23. Don't Let Others Bring You Down

24. Don't Bring Others Down!

25. Think Well of Everyone

26. Too Many Expectations Lead to Disappointment

27. Be a Joyful Giver

28. Be a Blessing

29. Finding Grace in Challenges and Blessings From Tragedy

30. Always Deal With God

31. Let Go of "Punishment Mentality"

32. Things Don't Have to be So Hard

33. Open Yourself to Inner Guidance

34. Do what Your Heart Knows is Right

35. Uplift Your Motives

36. Trust the Perfection in Imperfection

37. See the Bigger Picture of Your Soul's Journey

38. Enjoy the Trip!

39. Be Optimistic