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The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want

Book by Sonja Lyubomirsky · 17 quotes · Happiness, People, Activity

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The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want Quotes

“Write down your barrier thoughts, and then consider ways to reinterpret the situation. In the process, ask yourself questions like... What else could this situation or experience mean? Can anything good come from it? Does it present any opportunities for me? What lessons can I learn and apply to the future? Did I develop any strengths as a result?”

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“Thus the key to happiness lies not in changing our genetic makeup (which is impossible) and not in changing our circumstances (i.e., seeking wealth or attractiveness or better colleagues, which is usually impractical), but in our daily intentional activities.”

HappinessLyingWealthImpossibleKeysCircumstancesActivitySeekingMakeupColleaguesAttractivenessKey To Happiness
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“Last but not least, the happiest people do have their share of stresses, crises, and even tragedies. They may become just as distressed and emotional in such circumstances as you or I, but their secret weapon is the poise and strength they show in coping in the face of challenge.”

PeopleMayShowsLastsHappinessFacesChallengesSecretShareEmotionalCircumstancesWeaponsStressTragedyCrisisCopingPoise
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“If we observe genuinely happy people, we shall find that they do not just sit around being contented. They make things happen. They pursue new understandings, seek new achievements, and control their thoughts and feelings. In sum, our intentional, effortful activities have a powerful effect on how happy we are, over and above the effects of our set points and the circumstances in which we find themselves. If an unhappy person wants to experience interest, enthusiasm, contentment, peace, and joy, he or she can make it happen by learning the habits of a happy person.”

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Book:The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want
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“People prone to joyful anticipation, skilled at obtaining pleasure from looking forward and imagining future happy events, are especially likely to be optimistic and to experience intense emotions.”

PeoplePleasureEmotionEventsIntenseOptimisticAnticipationJoyfulLooking ForwardObtainingBeing OptimisticIntense Emotions
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“The combination of rumination and negative mood is toxic. Research shows that people who ruminate while sad or distraught are likely to feel besieged, powerless, self-critical, pessimistic, and generally negatively biased.”

PeopleFeelsSelfShowsResearchNegativeCriticalMoodCombinationToxicPowerlessPessimisticBiasedRuminationDistraught
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“All that is required to become an optimist is to have the goal and to practice it. The more you rehearse optimistic thoughts, the more 'natural' and 'ingrained' they will become. With time they will be part of you, and you will have made yourself into an altogether different person.”

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