By Claralynn Schnell of Contemporary VA   

Do you find yourself trying to figure out how to be consistently happy? I would suggest that you look at what your core values of happiness are and define your happiness.  About a year ago, I was not consistently happy, it was a fleeting emotion that would come and go. It wasn’t until my life was drastically changed that I decided to look inside of myself to find what my values of happiness were. The first thing I realized is that money doesn’t equal happiness.  Although you need money to live, it is amazing how little of it you need to be happy and live well.  After my divorce, my money flow was cut more than in half. In fact, I was a stay at home mom and did not have an income.  However, in finding my way, I have given up the thought that money is what makes you happy. Instead, I have shifted my priorities and have found that I really am happy without the huge pay check and I have less worries.  Second, I made a list of priorities.  For every person these values and beliefs will be different. However, for me, it was 1. God, 2. Family, 3 Friends.  Because I set my priorities, everything else fell into place easily.  I do not worry about things that are not on my priority list because they do not affect my happiness or my inner goals.  My happiness is found within and my values enforce that. That is the key! Happiness is found within you and not in outside influences.  I am not saying that you can’t have a bad day, you don’t have to only have the emotion of happiness, that is not what I am saying, what I am saying, is that when  you have set your priorities, you can know that even if you are sad, when that emotion is finished, you won’t be stuck there.  Happiness is the feeling that will remain. If you are struggling to stay happy, or to find that emotion, please contact Paul and he can help.  Being happy is a state of mind that everyone can achieve.