Ten More Tips For A Happy LIfe

A few months back, I wrote a blog about being happy. Now for those of you who personally know me, that might come as a surprise. I don’t put out that kind of energy. I’m not a happy-go-lucky type of guy. I’m more of a worrier. Like Dave in my debut novel. The Intersect, I tend to live in the land of regret. Always looking backward and wondering if I’ve made the right choices.

Glass Half Full?

Now don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I’ve never experienced happiness. I have. But I think the problem may be my expectation of what happiness feels like. For instance, on a good day, when everything is clicking, I feel calm and relaxed. No—I’m not smiling from ear to ear—running around giving hugs—laughing wildly. Instead, there is a sense that I’m on the right path. I experience happiness as an inner satisfaction. Nothing to fret about today? Ahh. Good day. Me happy.

So How Do I keep My Spirits Up?

It takes work. And mostly, I try to remember:

1. There’s humor to be had in everything we do. Look for the funny side. And if something strikes your funny bone, share it. Laughter is contagious. It attracts people to you. Just like a good cologne.
2. Don’t be afraid to show emotion. People feel closer to you when they experience you as real. And yes, crying is necessary. Tears are healing. But be judicious. The cashier at the “10 items or less” line at the supermarket has only so much time to listen to your woes. Trust me. I know from personal experience.
3. Be more like Fred Astaire. Dance when you’re alone. It lifts your spirits. Even if you’re as clumsy as an ox, it’s a great way to cheer yourself up as well as entertain the dog.
4. Mirrors are best enjoyed when you make silly faces. So go ahead and make a face. Then think about which member of your family you look like. I can make the same faces as my late grandfather. It’s always nice to see him staring back at me.
5. Laugh lines enhance your natural good looks. At the very least, they add character. So let them be.
6. Exercise is invigorating. Until it isn’t. Allow your body time to heal before you blow out your knee —hip—elbow—lower back—Achilles tendon.
7. If you don’t like the way you look, stop looking at yourself. Turn your gaze to someone you love and enjoy the view.
8. Writing a letter can be therapeutic. Seeing a trained therapist is far more effective. What we pay for tends to hold greater value.
9. Loving yourself may be the most important lesson of all. But acting like the center of the universe, well, no one likes that.

And now…

Something for the soul. Tip #10. You become what you focus on. Years ago, I decided to become a writer and I kept that dream firmly in mind. You too can be and do anything you want. It’s all within your reach. Well, not immediately—but with persistence. So, if you don’t like what’s going on in your life, choose again. Anything is possible.