Relax. Don’t take yourself too
seriously. Happiness is largely a
choice. Feel gratitude for all of
the good in your life. Smile.
Once you have enough to pay for
life’s basics think to yourself: “I’ve won.” Happiness is contagious: find
someone who is happy and stand close to them. Play. Create. Happiness
is attainable. Slow down and enjoy the scenery. Be spontaneous.
Happiness is perched on your windowsill, invite it in. Success is not the
key to happiness; happiness is the key to success. Surround yourself with
positive, life-affirming people. Make others happy. Have big dreams.
Enjoy the journey. Grab every single morsel of happiness which comes
your way. Be on the look out for moments of pleasure and wonder. Take
care of your body. Be happy right here, right now, while working
towards a better tomorrow. Forget about the Joneses. Forgive. Do for
others. Become absorbed in activities that cause you to enter the
“flow” state: that state where you forget yourself, lose track of time, and
stop worrying. Develop the habit of positive self-talk. Plant a beautiful
garden. Getsunlight and fresh air. Engage your mind in a puzzle:
jigsaw puzzles, sudokus, or crossword puzzles. Listen to music. Make
music. Quiet your mind chatter. Meditate. Practice yoga, tai chi, or
Qigong. Get a box of six Guatemalan worry dolls: before going to bed, tell
one worry to each doll and put them under your pillow; while you sleep,
the dolls will take your troubles away. Make smart money choices.
View difficulties as challenges to be overcome. Remember that it’s not a
good story if there aren’t any dragons. Get involved in a cause that’s
important to you. Have a cat or a dog; pet them often. Perform
random acts of kindness, anonymous or not. Surround yourself with
pleasant smells: jasmine, lavender, sandalwood . . . Put things in
perspective. Go for a brisk walk. Stretch. Go to a museum. Find a hobby
you love. Engage in pleasurable activities.
Spend discretionary income on
experiences, such as dining out
and travel, instead of purchasing
goods. Count your blessings.
Resolve to have a bad memory:
release the past. Be yourself,
however strange and weird that may be. Ask yourself: what can I do to
become happier? Read a good book. Climb on a tire swing. Be part of
something bigger than yourself. Embrace change. Simplify. Think big in
the long run, but think small in the short run. Remember the following
line from the film “American Beauty”: “. . . it’s hard to stay mad when
there’s so much beauty in the world.” Get rid of things that make
you unhappy. Make happiness a priority in your life. Do something
hedonistic: think afternoon at a spa or going out dancing. Be curious.
Engage in novel activities. Take on new skills. Learn new things. Think
back to when you’ve been happiest: what were you doing? Create
satisfying, meaningful connections with other people. Practice deep
breathing. Savor small authentic moments that bring you contentment.
Happiness is a state of mind. Have a small pleasure to look forward to
every day: coffee out on the patio, going through a favorite magazine,
visiting a beloved friend, baking cookies . . . Search for the sacred in the
ordinary. Do a cartwheel when nobody’s looking. Take George Eliot’s
declaration to heart: “It is never too late to be what you might have
been.” Laugh often. Ask for what you want. Hang a hammock; lie in it.
Find work you love. Let go of fear. Have courage. One of the greatest
gifts you can give to your loved ones is to let them see you living a happy
life. When you’re happy you give others permission to be happy as well.
Love. Entertain hope. Cope with difficult situations with ingenuity.
Spend time contemplating nature. Accept that sometimes you’ll be sad,
that’s just part of life. Make happiness the ultimate goal in your life. Fake
it until you make it: act happy. Create a serene environment. Resolve
to be a little bit happier today than you were yesterday. Tilt your head
back and let out a raucous peal of laughter . . .
(“The Earth is God’s Canvas” photograph is courtesy of Catch the dream)
(“The Pursuit of Happiness” photograph is courtesy of jonSpot)
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