The pursuit of happiness is one of the basic elements of human existence. We want to be happy. So why are so many people unhappy then? Most likely, people are not happy because they are missing one of the six keys to happiness.

The most important key to your personal happiness is determining that you will be happy. For many people, their personal happiness is not a priority in their life. Too often we put the happiness of others before our own. While this may please our children, spouse, or boss, this is not the path to happiness. This does not mean that you should make yourself happy at the expense of others, but you should remember that the opposite should not be true either: your happiness should not be sacrificed to make others happy.

Once you’ve decided to make your pursuit of happiness a priority, you need to determine what makes you happy. Spend some time reviewing the happy moments in your life. Think about memories that make you smile or activities that make you happy. Can you find a common element or theme? So that’s one of the keys to finding true happiness for you.

Now that you’ve identified what makes you happy, you need to engage in that activity. Perhaps you need a creative outlet? Join a writing group, take an art class, or learn to play an instrument. Do you need physical activity? Then find a way to get back into a sport you love or start a new one. All that is necessary is that you find a way to reconnect with this key element.

However, true happiness for most of us does not depend solely on finding that key. For most of us, we also need special people in our lives to be happy. Perhaps you have lost contact with someone important and can reach them? Or maybe it’s just a time to plan a special moment with the family. It is important to our own pursuit of happiness to stay connected with those we love.

Another essential element to find true happiness is to give of ourselves as well. Helping others, in both big and small ways, can help you feel happier and more content. You might even find a way to combine giving and participating in an activity that makes you happy. For example, if you love making people laugh, you could organize a community talent show to raise money for a local charity.

Finally, make a list of all the aspects of your life that make you happy. Many of us get depressed because we think about the negative, but usually there is something in your life that makes you happy. Make a list of these items so you can quickly improve your mood when you’re feeling down.

The pursuit of happiness doesn’t have to be challenging or arduous. Finding true happiness can be as simple as determining, identifying, involving, connecting, giving, and remembering the 6 keys to personal happiness.