What makes someone frown? Is it not sadness? This state of being is one of the many reasons why people who have emotional breakdowns put their lives at risk. When deeper sadness or depression consumes you, illness and disturbance clog your mind and feelings.

Most people who suffer from depression or extreme sadness are affected by the way they deal with their fellow man. Depressed people are sensitive and demand special attention. At times, depression swallows them and affects their relationship with other people, particularly their families and those who stay close to them.

On the contrary, enthusiasm is a feeling similar to happiness but the emotion involved is intense. Enthusiasm is often associated with divine inspiration, an intense emotion deeper than happiness itself. However, our society’s status these days hinders people from being enthusiasts. Instead, many are grieving and saddened with what they see in their surroundings and in the whole world. Most people who were victimized by wars and social problems find enthusiasm impossible to feel. Why, even the richest people on earth feel sad at times. If this is the case, is it true that enthusiasm is elusive?

Many sigh due to sadness and bad experiences. We can say that indeed, happiness or enthusiasm is a relative state of being. This is the reason why many people resort to illicit drugs, thinking that they can escape the bitter experiences they are experiencing. They think they can fake happiness for a few hours. Little did they know that no matter how difficult life is, happiness is still available and waiting to be rediscovered. How can you illicit genuine enthusiasm and happiness?

1. Set goals and seek your life’s purpose. Happiness cannot be achieved overnight so starting early means experiencing happiness sooner.

2. Take away all the bitterness you've kept inside for years. Learn to say “sorry” and accept your limitations.

3. Keep your life simple by allotting time for you to relax and enjoy wholesome recreation.

4. Learn to develop self-worth. Love your deeds and do favors for yourself. Adopt changes if necessary and if you feel like your routine is boring.

5. Humbly accept others’ support and appreciate small gifts from them.

6. Try rendering support or reciprocating the kindness shown to you.

7. Develop hobbies that will contribute to your self-worth. Some women and housewives, for instance, love gardening. They, at times, talk to their plants. They find this rewarding in many ways.

8. Read some inspirational books. Keep simple but inspiring messages and share these with others. Remember that giving brings joy to every person; learn the value of generosity at all times.

9. Constantly communicate with others your inspiring and uplifting stories. Learn to accept feedbacks from your listeners.

10. Learn to be flexible, accept the fact that everything does not just happen the way you think everything should be.

Keeping these simple things in mind, I can say that happiness and enthusiasm are not that difficult to find. Many people pay huge amounts of money just to have the opportunity to gain worthwhile experiences. In the end, these people realize that the real happiness they seek cannot be bought. It can be achieved in many ways; but to find it, they must be humble enough to compromise some wants in exchange of the need to be happy.

# # # # #