In a world filled with hate, distrust and discrimination, it can sometimes be difficult to evaluate people for who they really are and judge them on their true character. Each one of us (myself included), would like to think we accept others and love them for who they are, but if we took the time to evaluate our daily behavior, we might find that we are a little less accepting than we’d like to be.
It can be difficult to acknowledge that you judge others a little too harshly, but if you want to know how to find happiness in life the first step is to admit your behavior and tell yourself you are willing to change. If you need help with this, consider the following three tips for accepting others and finding happiness as a result.
#1: Practice Mindfulness
We all want to perceive ourselves as good, honest, trustworthy and decent people, but it can be difficult to see our own flaws without someone else pointing them out to us. The solution to that problem is mindfulness. This is the first step if you want to learn how to find happiness in life.
Mindfulness is the simple practice of examining your own thoughts in a non-judgemental manner and focusing on how you can improve your thinking patterns. It’s not easy to find the time to practice mindfulness if you’re busy with the million other tasks you need to complete, so you need to be proactive to succeed with mindfulness.
If you feel yourself thinking critically of another person during your day, try jotting down the name of the person, the feeling you associated with them and why you feel you are having those thoughts. As you put this into practice you will learn to recognize a pattern and you’ll be able to combat negative thoughts as they come to you.
#2: Put Yourself in Someone Else’s Shoes
Having empathy for others is not an innate trait you’re born with, it’s a choice you have to make every single day.
If you have trouble putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, consider how you’ve felt when passing through difficult trials of your own. Did you wish that others would be sympathetic to the problems you had and the mistakes you’ve made in your life? Did you want others to help you through your problems rather than judge you too harshly? If you answered yes to those questions, then you have everything you need to move forward. Just act as if everyone around you is going through the same problems as you.
#3: Open Your Mind and Heart to Others
Even though it’s tough to step out of your comfort zone, you have to be willing to take some risks if you want to accept others and find greater happiness in your life.
It’s easy to get stuck in your way when dealing with people that are very different from you—either culturally, spiritually, or otherwise. However, the only way to learn how to find happiness in life is to purposely build relationships with people that are different. Learn about what makes them tick, how they’ve arrived at their current destination, and what things you may have in common with them. After practicing this habit you may learn that your previous prejudices were very far off base.
Find Lasting Happiness and Abundance!
If you want to enjoy greater happiness and abundance in your life, try practicing mindfulness on a regular basis, put yourself in another person’s shoes as often as you can, and open your mind and heart to others. This is the road to happiness!