October 15, 2005

Demonstration Speech: How to be a Happy Person - By Sarah Tincher

INTRODUCTION

Ever notice those people who always seem enthusiastic and joyful no matter what the situation? They may not appear to have much and yet still seem content. You wonder, how can I be like that? It is difficult to feel completely content, especially in the teen years. I will explain how you can put others before yourself, accept your reality, plan ahead, and think positive. It will demonstrate ways in which you can be a happy person.

BODY

It is time to partner up in math class. Normally you would choose your best friend. Today you see someone sitting all alone and you feel the urge to ask them to be your partner. Although you would have fun with your best friend, you know deep down you should ask the lonely person. Their day is made as you approach them with the offer. Not only did you make a new friend, but you made someone happy through a little act of putting others before yourself. When you willingly give your talents and time to other people, the outcome is satisfaction. You feel rewarded from within. Another example of putting others before yourself is volunteering, such as for your church, neighbors, or school. Helping people can better your state of mind and overall outlook on yourself as well as your life. It is like www.nuggetsoftruth.com says, "The heart is happiest when it beats for others."

Sitting around and waiting for good things to come your way does not always work. You must plan ahead and set goals for yourself. Take action. When you plan you are making sure that your limited time is being spent on your priorities. Realize your strengths and use them. Do not hope that you will have a bright future, but surround yourself with things that will make sure you have a bright future. As www.coachingtohappiness.com states, you cannot be all things to all people. Therefore, you will never please everyone in the world, so do not try to. Focus on what is most important to you and work on that. When you organize your lifestyle things will become easier. You will create a map to success which you deserve. Michaelangelo once said "The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." Having confidence in your choices and capability to achieve your ultimate dreams will never cause you regret later on in life.

"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be cherished," www.coachingtohappiness.com tells us. Do you consider your life as a constant struggle filled with obstacles, or do you consider it a wonderful moment in time not to be taken for granted? You must not only think positive, but you must act positive. Www.allthingsfrugal.com explains that "you must not wait for happy feelings to come, for you have direct control over how you act and what you think." If you want to be friendlier, act friendlier. If you want to be more compassionate, act more compassionate. Do not dwell over a negative situation from your day. Substitute the feeling with calm and hopeful thoughts. You also must not surround yourself with depressing people who constantly bring you down. Have you ever heard the phrase "You are who you hang out with?" It is true. The more you spend your time with someone the more of their habits you are capable of picking up. By choosing friends that encourage and uplift you in the right way, you will better your future. By bettering your future you can as well remind yourself of things to be grateful for. No matter what the case may be, there is always a positive way of looking at something. There is always a reason to laugh. When you make mistakes, think of it as a learning experience you may grow from. Do not give up because of a few things, but aim for the finish line.

Everyone has their own path in life. Their own direction to follow. You can choose to go with it to the best of your ability, or you can choose to fight it. Do you want to look at everything as motivation or as one huge battle? Accept your reality. Know that the only person you can change is yourself. As www.gaylasgarden.com states, "You have to learn not to compete with others. Because no one else is in the contest of *being you*." As someone once said, "Let the walls in your heart be made of glass, so that the light can shine through." Appreciate your uniqueness. Competitive people who always feel the need to win, do not enjoy life as much as others. Www.icnc.org tells us that when competitive people lose they are very disappointed, and if they win it is what they expected to happen anyway. Be glad for what life has given you. For contentment is not getting what we desire, but being satisfied with what we already own. There will always be something you wish that you had. For instance, you have this car, but you would rather have this one, now that you have this one, you want that one. There is always a never ending cycle of a higher status, and try to remember there will always be someone out there who has it way worse then you do. Learning to realize what you have, and being thankful for it will continuously help your contentment.

In conclusion, happiness is something you have to truly want. Something you have to take action for and do. By putting others before yourself with kindness, planning ahead, thinking positive, and accepting your reality, you can become a happier person. In order to be a happy person, you must be humble and never give up hope. For when you think there is none, happiness could be right around your corner. As William Bennett once said "Happiness is like a cat, If you try to call it, it will avoid you; it will never come. But if you pay no attention to it and go about your business, you’ll find it rubbing against your legs and jumping into your lap."