I've been thinking a lot about happiness lately, mostly because social media is basically a warehouse sale of unhappiness. That was my first big epiphany when I joined: wow, there are a LOT of unhappy people out there. And I'm not talking about those folks who simply wouldn't know what to do with themselves if they accidentally got happy. You know the type. We're leaving them alone today.
And no, this isn't a theological lecture on happiness versus joy. Today we're going full practical. Roll up your sleeves, let's go.
Most people want to be happy โ they just can't figure out the directions from where they're standing. Too many folks believe happiness is a lucky bounce: good genes, good timing, good parking spot. Nope. Happiness is a choice. And the best way to find it is to follow the breadcrumbs of people who already got there.
So here's what I've learned from decades of watching happy people do their thing.
- Compliment three people every day.
- Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
- Be the first to say, "Hello.
- Live beneath your means.
- Treat everyone like you want to be treated.
- Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen.
- Forget the Joneses.
- Never deprive someone of hope. It may be all he has.
- Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage.
- Be tough-minded but tenderhearted.
- Be kinder than necessary.
- Don't forget, a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated
- Keep your promises
- Learn to show cheerfulness, even when you don't feel like it.
- Remember that overnight success usually takes about 15 years.
- Leave everything better than you found it.
- Remember that winners do what losers don't want to do.
- When you arrive at your job in the morning, let the first thing you say brighten everyone's day.
- Don't rain on other people's parades.
- Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.