How to Find Happiness A-Z: V

Because you are especially unique, you have a set of values you hold to. While everyone's inner compass might be different, I'd like to share a few values I grew up believing in, ones that I feel contribute greatly to my happiness.

Faith: "Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye have hope for things which are not seen, which are true (Alma 32:21)." --This one goes hand in hand with belief. Faith is acting on a hope or belief, without knowing the outcome.

Divine Nature: I believe I'm a child of God. That gives me a deeper sense of my purpose and importance. It also places the weight on my shoulders to act as his daughter.

Individual Worth: Remember that post about being unique? Because I know my divine nature, I understand my worth.

Knowledge: Education, learning, growth should always be sought after actively.

Choice and Accountability: I'm responsible for the decisions I make, and accordingly, I have the power to alter my circumstances. I am infidelity powerful to change my own world.

Good Works: Enough said. Right?

Integrity: Check out my "I" post. This is a sense of honesty with oneself and the world about them, not just in thought or word, but in deeds.

Image courtesy of public.resource.org

Virtue: "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10)." In this day and age I think most people have forgotten the importance of virtue--a high moral understanding/use of ones' physical self and thoughts. Virtuous living leads more powerfully to happiness than anything I know. Someone who lives a virtuous life is not bogged down by guilt, regret, and pain that comes from making poor decisions.

Do you have other values you live by or have found lead to happiness? What are they?

How to Find Happiness A-Z: I

This above all: to thine own self be true, 

And it must follow, as the night the day, 

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

                                                       Hamlet Act 1 scene 3    

Ah, the infamous quote we hear time and time again. As a writer, this is some of the prime advice you receive--not to imitate anyone else, but to write until you've developed your own voice. I call this a form of Integrity.

According to dictionary.com, integrity is:

1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. 
2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.
3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship's hull.

Some people can get away with lie upon lie, even to themselves--but then, what are they left with? 

"I'm a size six." *RIP* "Uh, they must have not sewn that seam very well." 

That's right, exposure. =)

Society in general seems to be suffering from a lack of integrity--people who embezzle from work, cheating spouses, employees who give less than their best for a paid day of work, people who cheat on tests (let's pray they don't become doctors!), even those who lie under oath or omit the truth to promote their own agenda. 

How do we heal this rampant evil and begin to mend society? One person at a time. Ourselves. One family at a time. Our families. One relationship of trust at a time--the ones we treasure most, the ones that will bring us the greatest happiness. 

Trust=freedom. Freedom brings happiness.

To thine own self be true, eh? And while we're speaking about honesty, what is the stupidest lie you've ever told or heard? (I love the ones that come from little kids!)