21 Lessons For Living A Happier Life

1. You are a category of one.

Other people were born to be them; you were born to be you. When you compare yourself to other people, you are missing the point of your life -- to be you. Embrace your uniqueness.

2. You get to write the rules for your life.

It is a myth that there is a single definition of success and it involves a stable career, traditional marriage, large house and annual holidays. You get to define what success means to you.

3. Listen to your heart.

Your heart knows the way to your dreams but cannot explain or justify the path to you in logical terms. Instead, it speaks in nudges and feelings and inner knowings. You have to learn to trust it.

4. You are not in this life alone.

There is a powerful intelligence at play in the cosmos which is constantly trying to lift you up, bless you and bring you miracles daily. Whether you call it your higher self or you call it God or you call it the Universe, just make sure that you call on it. Invite it into your life to guide you.

5. Life is now.

The present moment is the only time you can truly experience the juiciness and sparkle of life. Even all of the grand beautiful things you dream of doing in the future will occur in the present moment. Be here now, or you will miss out on everything.

6. Self-love is essential and worth fighting for.

How can you get through the rollercoaster of life, or find the courage to go after your dreams, if you don't love yourself first? Not loving yourself also prevents you from fully loving others because you can't give what you don't have.

7. Lasting happiness is an inside job.

It is impossible to find lasting happiness in the things of the world because they are inevitably temporary; everything in the world of form ends. Enjoy all the pleasures of life, yes, but don't cling to them for your fulfillment.

8. Fear is not a stop sign.

It is a sign that something is outside your comfort zone, which actually means you should do the thing you are afraid to do because the rewards on the other side are growth and freedom.

9. You are more capable than you know.

Most of your barriers are self-imposed. If you don't believe me, test it for yourself by fully committing to one of your biggest goals or dreams. You will discover an infinite inner spring of courage, ideas, inspiration, passion, resilience, grit and energy. You will surprise yourself.

10. No one is going to give you permission to shine.

No one is going to tap you on the shoulder and tell you that it's your time to blossom into the person you dream of being. No one is going to announce that it's finally time for you to relax and enjoy your life. You have to decide to shine. You have to decide to live in joy.

11. Go to great lengths to discover your passions.

Deep life satisfaction comes from living with purpose and passion; the kind of purpose and passion that means that even if you won the lottery it wouldn't change the crux of your mission in the world.

12. Don't believe everything you think or see.

As the great Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius said: "Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not a truth." We think we are dealing with reality when really we are dealing with the stories in our head we have plastered on top of reality. When we shift our perspective, what we see changes.

13. You can't get life wrong.

Even if you fail on an external level, you gain on an internal level in the form of valuable lessons and personal growth -- which sets you up for greater success tomorrow. Don't be afraid of failure; only be afraid of not trying in the first place because then your chances of success are zero.

14. We are all in this together.

We all hurt. We all long for happiness. We all experience fear. We all feel like we are not enough. Despite our different upbringings and the different costumes (bodies) we wear, we all have the same deep longing for wholeness and peace, and the same light of consciousness within.

15. Life is not a race.

Slow down. Take a breath. Taste your food. Really listen to your loved ones. Notice the flowers blossoming in the Spring time. Spend time in nature. Meditate. As Eckhart Tolle reminds us, you are a human being, not just a human doing.

16. Your life is not a dress rehearsal.

You don't get another shot at being you. This is it. If there is something you long to do or create in this world, do it now. If there are people or activities you love dearly, make time for them. If you suspect there may be more to life, step into the unknown and find out.

17. Your gifts are not yours to keep.

You were given your gifts for a reason -- to share them with the world. Wake up and ask yourself: How can I use my gifts and strengths to be of service today? How can I use what I have to make the world a better place?

18. Play and imagination are not just for children.

Don't die before you die by forgetting to have fun and enjoy life! Take yourself lightly and add more play to your day. Use your imagination to envisage a greater and greater life for yourself -- and then take steps to create it.

19. You are responsible for your life.

If you want your life to change, do something about it. Spend less time complaining about how things are and more time focusing on how you would like them to be. As Theodore Roosevelt said, do what you can with what you have from where you are.

20. Identity with your soul.

You are not your body; it is the temporary home for your soul. You are not your titles or roles; they are characters you play at certain points in your life. You are not your thoughts or emotions; they come and go like waves lapping on the shore. You are a soul; the unchanging essence beneath all these things.

21. You matter.

As Eckhart Tolle says, you are the Universe experiencing itself as a human for a little while. Your existence matters. Everything you do expands the entire cosmos. You are valuable and loved beyond measure.

Elyse is a writer and life coach at NotesOnBliss.com . She teaches people to connect with their soul, create their dreams and expand their happiness. For FREE updates and inspiration, sign up now .