how to achieve long-term happiness

again, this was taken from a collection of my research (which i forgot to jot down the source, sorry).  there's something about happiness that fascinates me.  and i have been writing about it for the past few months because people i know seem to have lost it.  i just hope this entry helps =)

unconditional self-acceptance and self-love.  some people think about their flaws more rather than highlight their blessings.  we can't blame them, for others think that nothing that they have is good enough.  our self-worth should not be based on external valuations, but rather on our basic existence as a person.  before we prowl on our next goal, why don't we just sit down and enjoy our previous accomplishments first?  this actually goes down to the basic: the most important is to know your self.  self-love means accepting your uniqueness and celebrating who you are because when you know your self deep down (what makes you happy/mad/sad etc.), it banishes insecurities and uncontentment.

a sense of interdependence and connectedness with others and in life.  detachment is what unhappy people do.  when you are connected to people, or just plain interested in other people's lives you get to feel you're not alone.  and maybe sometimes after interacting with others it will make you feel less of a sicko because apparently their lives are more fucked up than yours (yeah what a relief. hahaha).  i know that society now tolerate the selfishness of people but it still doesn't make it right.  try to live for others as well. =)

acceptance of change.  people change.  we all do - voluntarily or otherwise.  it's because we adapt to where we are or who we're with most of the time.  and sometimes, disappointments happen when people around us change.  we don't like seeing something different to what we're used to.  change is inevitable.  it is what it is.  so don't be angry that people change because it's pretty normal.  don't get mad about it.  suck it up.

acceptance that life is difficult and no one is free from pain.  i have always liked the line form the movie "as good as it gets" that goes something like 'do not get mad that others had it good'.  even if you're going through a painful phase just think of other people who are suffering more than you do.  living is never easy.  and again, don't get mad that others had it good. =)

a sense of meaning and purpose in life.  knowing your calling / purpose just doesn't happen overnight, so this is not rushed.  keep experiencing new things, keep rediscovering yourself until you get to figure it all out.