DO HAPPY PEOPLE LIVE DIFFERENTLY?

Happiness is something you create, not receive.

WRITER: APRIL ARAGAM

Happiness can’t be given to you by someone else, and you can’t buy it. Happiness is something you create for yourself. Here are six ways that happy people live differently:

1. Happy people are grateful Happy people are grateful for what they have now. They are happy for the small things as much as the big things. They realize everything is a blessing. It’s easy to take for granted the things you have every day—water, food, and electronics. If you are without them for a day, you feel the loss greatly. Don’t wait until you’re missing something to realize how lucky you are. Incorporate gratefulness into your goals for a better life. If you live in a trailer but dream of a nice home, be grateful for the roof over your head.

2. Happy people focus on the positive Happy people don’t ignore or pretend that bad things don’t happen in life, but they aren’t controlled by them. They find the good in every situation. They are optimistic about life and the future, and they refuse to let other people’s negativity bring them down. Surround yourself with people who are positive and happy. Spending time with toxic people only makes you focus on the negative. People can be toxic and that negativity should be avoided, if possible.

3. Happy people aren’t afraid to dream Happy people chase their goals and dreams. They believe nothing is out of reach and are willing to overcome anything in order to succeed. They don’t let setbacks stop them. If you deny yourself your dreams in life, you may be denying your happiness. It may not be easy to achieve what you want, but it will be worth it. If your dream is to eventually quit your job and work for yourself, begin working toward that goal.

Achieving your dream will make you happy, but the journey to get there will feel good, too.

4. Happy people don’t compare themselves to others

Happy people know comparing themselves to others is a waste of time, because people do things in their own time. If you’re upset every time someone you know gets married and you’re not married yet, you’re feeding your unhappiness. Just because someone does something before you doesn’t mean they are happier or more successful. Everyone’s life unfolds at its own pace. Happy people are content living in the moment. Don’t compare your life to others; live on your own terms. Be happy with your decisions and don’t worry about what other people do.

5. Happy people don’t look for approval from others

Happy people are confident and secure in themselves. They don’t need other people to tell them they’re attractive, smart, or talented.

Happy people don’t fish for compliments; they are aware of their positive qualities and what they bring to the table. Little things like someone not liking you should not affect your life and well being.

Work on your self-confidence, not making their opinion of you better.

6. Happy people express their feelings

Happy people are open with their feelings. They aren’t afraid to say, “I love you.” They know these feelings may not always be returned, but they still are eager to share them. Happy people also express admiration for others and point out positive qualities others possess. They feel good about expressing their emotions. Don’t bottle your feelings inside. Share them. You’ll feel good by making others feel good.

Happiness isn’t something you get from someone else. You create the happiness in your life. It is a gift you give to yourself.

What does The Lake Sumter Group at Morgan Stanley do?

We proactively serve a select group of families with the distribution phase of their retirement by offering rigorous, relentless discipline seeking to bring a higher level of predictability.

How does your group achieve that?

With financial planning tools and discretionary portfolio management, we build plans based on our client’s risk tolerance. As portfolio managers, we manage our clients’ portfolios on a daily basis and guide their objectives, which range from developing a health care strategy to attending to estate planning needs.

How do you help your clients achieve their objectives?

Focusing our attention on our clients’ financial details means working toward their goal of living the lifestyle they have always envisioned. Having the resources in place to enjoy the next stage of their lives is important in achieving those goals. Perhaps they want to master a new language or travel to see family. Moving financial worry away from the front of their minds can put big concerns to rest.

What specific strategies do you offer your clients?

Our focus is on financial planning which includes retirement planning, retirement income planning, estate planning strategies, college education planning, custom portfolio management, long term care planning and life insurance planning.

What makes your group passionate about what you do?

Our clients have spent their working years building a legacy. We enjoy helping them build the next phase of their lives. Having an advisor who can walk that path with them can mean the difference between living, and enjoying, their retirement.