Are you aware of what makes you happy? I mean, not the things in life that create moments of content, or five minute grins, but rather, the kind of personal happiness that gives you an inner calmness? I'm talking about the kind of happiness that shows not just a slight grin, but also a genuine smile, a relaxed demeanor and an eager hand that is always stretched out to others. Finding out what gives you this personal happiness can be one of the most significant accomplishments on its own, and that's why I'm here today. I want to help you find it.

When you see a person who is really happy, you know it, and everyone around them knows it. Not only should you notice it, but next time you should take note of their characteristics. Take these notes and use them as a vision tool to help you reach your own state of personal happiness. Your first steps should be deeply reflective. Remember the advice that "money cannot by happiness". You will start to notice that people from all sorts of wealth that are perfectly happy with their lives and you can find all sorts that are completely miserable.

In order to reach your goal of personal happiness, you need to look deep into yourself. Think back to your earlier years, what were those simple things that you pursued and loved as a child? Did creating things put that gleam in your eye? Perhaps it's helping others and passing knowledge onto those that were younger that gave you a feeling of reward? Maybe all you needed was some time outdoors, taking part in a game of street hockey with some friends? Ask yourself now - are you still participating in those things that used to make you happy, or have they fallen off the bandwagon as you travelled through life? Ask yourself this, why aren't you doing those childhood things that make you happy?

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole happiness story from informed sources.

Now, realistically we all know that adults have responsibilities that must be met. Whether you are married, have children or an intense job you are involved in. Perhaps you have all of the above to contend with plus more, and there's just not a lot of feasibility in taking a weekend to go fishing with some friends or relaxed in a room full of arts and crafts. In all reality, we know that your job sucks away your life force and motivation... and by the time a spared moment crosses your path, you want to take it to sit down and have a breath of fresh air. But the truth is our jobs must come first because our bills must get paid.

So when it comes down to having the lack of time to carry out those childhood memories, what else can you do to increase your personal happiness? First, you need to take care of yourself. With our fast paced lives, we tend to cut corners when it comes to our own happiness, always striving to put others before ourselves. However, if you continue to do this for a long time, you will find a lack of emotional and physical energy for your family and responsibilities, let alone yourself. That's why you need to take care of your own needs as well. When you start making yourself a priority in life, you will find all of your other priorities easier, as they start to use less energy. Energy you can now take and put back into furthering your goal for personal happiness.

After you realize that taking care of yourself should come first, and that you shouldn't be guilty for doing so, you will see your happiness grow onward and upward. It all begins with small steps to finding out what works best for you. Investing time in yourself and your growth is a sure way to do it.

When you start finding that little extra time, take those childhood memories and enjoy them with others in your life. If it was sports, try going to a park and playing soccer with your kids instead of spending time in front of the TV. If you always enjoyed teaching others, try volunteering or working with a Boy's or Girl's Club. Or, maybe you were always the creative type that couldn't take your talents forward into a career? Why not take an art or writing class once a week or just start doing it on your own again?

As you start figuring out your personal happiness, you will find ways to continually increase your time doing things you love most - perhaps even to the point of making a career change. If middle management drains your soul, perhaps working for a non-profit that helps children will renew it. It is not obvious, but most times even a few minor changes to how you invest in yourself will have incredible results. From this day forward, you need to turn off the TV and movies, get out doors with friends and family, and take that time to do the things you loved but lost sight of. It's time to focus on what makes you happy and to learn to say NO to the things that do not give you personal happiness. Investing in yourself is one of the only paths that can give you that joy in life you're looking for!