Ingredients of Happiness

Spirituality
-We must train diligently for our Christian life. A Christian life takes time, dedication, energy, continued practice, and vision. We must commit ourselves to being more like Christ.

Love
-You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.: Matt. 22:37-39

Altruisim
-We should aim to have a positive impact on someone else's life and we should give of ourselves without expectations.
-"The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matt. 23:11-12

Perspective
-Frame life experiences so that the good features are prominently in the forefront.
-Strategy for effective living-God's wisdom (respect and appreciate who God is), moral application (trust in God and his Word), practical application (actingon God's direction in daily devotions) and effective living (experience what God does with our obedience.
Purpose
-Focus on activitites that brighten your day and give a true sense of being. We need to find a passion in our lives that bring us happiness. Is having a relationship with the Lord a passion for you?
-"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith." 2 Thess. 1:11

Courage
-Stand up for your beliefs, values and have a sense of pride.
-"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refurge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?" Psalm 18: 30-31

Security
-Feel good about your current place in life for happy people like who they are.
-"I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure." Psalm 16: 8-9

Humor
-Laughter and more laughter
-"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy." Psalm 126:2

Optimism
-The glass is not half empty or half full. The glass is in God's hands.
-Our lives-made alive in Christ; shown God's mercy and given salvation; stand for Christ and truth; God's children; free in Christ to love, serve, and sit with him; raised up with Christ to glory

Sense of Choice
-Indulge in favorite pasttimes
-Ask yourself the following questions if you are trying to choose a course of action: does it help my witness for Christ?, am I motivated by a desire to help others to know Christ?, does it help me do my best?, is it against a specific command in Scripture and would thus cause me to sin?, is it best and most beneficial course of action?, am I thinking only of myself or do I truly care about the other person?, am I acting lovingly or selfishly?, does it glorify God?, will it cause someone else to sin?

Proactivity
-Look for new experiences by trying new experiences and adventures but stick by your values and beliefs.
-"My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you." Proverbs 6:20-22

Good Health
-Take care of yourself with sleep, food, exercise, and experiences
-"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body. But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean." Matthew 15:16-18