You must be able to figure out what is important to you in your life. What do you value in your life?  Certain kind of job? Materialistic life? Some may like to spent time alone while others may prefer a relationship. Some people often prefer time to relax and be creative. Some of the other possibilities are: reading, listening to music, having fun, etc.

Thinking about the happy time of past will definitely help you to be happy at present. Think about times when you have felt happy or contented. Think about the places where you were when you were happy. Who else were with you? What made you feel happy or what did you do that made you happy?  What were you thinking or feeling that made you happy?

It is important that we spent more time in our life for what is important in our life and what makes us happier. To have happy and successful life we must make happiness a priority in our life. Ultimate goal in our life must be to be happy.

Every journey must start with a single step. So start with little things and work up to bigger ones. Little things might include reading for few minutes, taking a walk, calling a friend or buying great-smelling soap, shampoo, candles or tea what you will enjoy every time you use it. Try other simple things that you like and that can make you feel happy.

We must always focus on what is positive about oneself, others and life in general instead of dwelling on the negative. Try to write down in journal as many as positive things as you can think. Keep it handy to read over and continue adding to it. Never feel bad or jealous of others. Appreciate others work and learn from them.

Learn to appreciate what is working in your life right now. In the major areas of your life, such as your health, job, love life, friends, family, money and living situation, what is going well? Never discriminate yourself or think badly about yourself when something wrong happens to you. Nobody is so perfect.

 2.Go bake yourself a cake and celebrate your life and the great things you have done.

 3.Take a bubble bath and soak in for at least an hour.

 4.Call a friend that you haven’t talked to for awhile.

 5.Go shopping, buy the item that you have been dreaming about.

 6.Read a wonderful book for at least an hour, you will feel so relaxed.

 7.Join a new club, for example: book club or the gym or a crafts club.

 8.Buy yourself  some flowers. Take the time to smell each flower.

 9.Send a card through mail to your loved one.

10.Take at least 30 minutes each day and say only positive things about yourself.

 Everyone has to take care of themselves every day. You only live once.. be happy..

10. Most of the worried and distressed people are at least peaceful when they sleep. Have a good sleep each day and wake up with complete energy to meet your tasks.

9. You work not only for the sake of work or earning livelihood but it should also meet your interest. A job drawing million bucks for you may be worthless compared to a small decent job you are passionate about.

8. Shopping for yourself and your loved ones is also a way of surprising everyone. Make surprise gifts to your family members and in return you will end up being happier than them.

7. Try and avoid people who make you upset or depress by always crying in front of you about the unjust people or cruelty of the world.

6. Never be forced by others in doing things you never wanted to. You may always regret about the steps you have taken in influence of others rather than pursuing your own dreams.

5. Always make up for the time with family.

4. If you cannot meet often, keep in touch with your old friends through phone calls or emails.

3. Eating healthy and nutritious food ensures your healthy life and longetivity.

2. Along with your work try to include some time for external activities or personal interests.

1. Never judge about your happiness through ARTICLES online or other’s advice. YOUR HAPPINESS LIES WITHIN and only you can make a difference!

“What do I want from life?” I asked myself. “Well…I want to be happy.” I had many reasons to be happy: My husband was the tall, dark, handsome love of my life; we had two delightful girls, ages 1 and 7; I was a writer, living in my favorite city. I had friends; I had my health; I didn’t have to color my hair. But too often I sniped at my husband or the drugstore clerk. I felt dejected after even a minor professional setback. I lost my temper easily. Is that how a happy person would act?

I decided on the spot to begin a systematic study of happiness. (A little intense, I know. But that’s the kind of thing that appeals to me.) In the end, I spent a year test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific studies, and tips from popular culture. If I followed all the advice, I wanted to know, would it work?

Well, the year is over, and I can say: It did. I made myself happier. And along the way I learned a lot about how to be happier. Here are those lessons.

1. Don’t start with profundities.
When I began my Happiness Project, I realized pretty quickly that, rather than jumping in with lengthy daily meditation or answering deep questions of self-identity, I should start with the basics, like going to sleep at a decent hour and not letting myself get too hungry. Science backs this up; these two factors have a big impact on happiness. Learn how to Get a Good Night’s Sleep.

2. Do let the sun go down on anger.
I had always scrupulously aired every irritation as soon as possible, to make sure I vented all bad feelings before bedtime. Studies show, however, that the notion of anger catharsis is poppycock. Expressing anger related to minor, fleeting annoyances just amplifies bad feelings, while not expressing anger often allows it to dissipate. (See 16 Ways to Manage Your Anger from Real Simple)

3. Fake it till you feel it.
Feelings follow actions. If I’m feeling low, I deliberately act cheery, and I find myself actually feeling happier. If I’m feeling angry at someone, I do something thoughtful for her and my feelings toward her soften. This strategy is uncannily effective.

4. Realize that anything worth doing is worth doing badly.
Challenge and novelty are key elements of happiness. The brain is stimulated by surprise, and successfully dealing with an unexpected situation gives a powerful sense of satisfaction. People who do new things — learn a game, travel to unfamiliar places — are happier than people who stick to familiar activities that they already do well. I often remind myself to “Enjoy the fun of failure” and tackle some daunting goal.

5. Don’t treat the blues with a “treat.”
Often the things I choose as “treats” aren’t good for me. The pleasure lasts a minute, but then feelings of guilt and loss of control and other negative consequences deepen the lousiness of the day. While it’s easy to think, I’ll feel good after I have a few glasses of wine…a pint of ice cream…a cigarette…a new pair of jeans, it’s worth pausing to ask whether this will truly make things better.

6. Buy some happiness.
Our basic psychological needs include feeling loved, secure, and good at what we do and having a sense of control. Money doesn’t automatically fill these requirements, but it sure can help. I’ve learned to look for ways to spend money to stay in closer contact with my family and friends; to promote my health; to work more efficiently; to eliminate sources of irritation and marital conflict; to support important causes; and to have enlarging experiences. For example, when my sister got married, I splurged on a better digital camera. It was expensive, but it gave me a lot of happiness bang for the buck.

7. Don’t insist on the best.
There are two types of decision makers. Satisficers (yes, satisficers) make a decision once their criteria are met. When they find the hotel or the pasta sauce that has the qualities they want, they’re satisfied. Maximizers want to make the best possible decision. Even if they see a bicycle or a backpack that meets their requirements, they can’t make a decision until they’ve examined every option. Satisficers tend to be happier than maximizers. Maximizers expend more time and energy reaching decisions, and they’re often anxious about their choices. Sometimes good enough is good enough.

8. Exercise to boost energy.
I knew, intellectually, that this worked, but how often have I told myself, “I’m just too tired to go to the gym”? Exercise is one of the most dependable mood-boosters. Even a 10-minute walk can brighten my outlook. Try one of these 15-Minute Workouts.

9. Stop nagging.
I knew my nagging wasn’t working particularly well, but I figured that if I stopped, my husband would never do a thing around the house. Wrong. If anything, more work got done. Plus, I got a surprisingly big happiness boost from quitting nagging. I hadn’t realized how shrewish and angry I had felt as a result of speaking like that. I replaced nagging with the following persuasive tools: wordless hints (for example, leaving a new lightbulb on the counter); using just one word (saying “Milk!” instead of talking on and on); not insisting that something be done on my schedule; and, most effective of all, doing a task myself. Why did I get to set the assignments?

10. Take action.
Some people assume happiness is mostly a matter of inborn temperament: You’re born an Eeyore or a Tigger, and that’s that. Although it’s true that genetics play a big role, about 40 percent of your happiness level is within your control. Taking time to reflect, and conscious steps to make your life happier, really does work. So use these tips to start your own Happiness Project. I promise it won’t take you a whole year.

“My wife has been avoiding me lately. She is supposed to leave the bank at 5 o’clock, she gets home 8 o’clock almost every night and when she reaches she says she is tired. When she is not at work and when I want to make love, she says she has an infection. When I ask why she always has infections, she says I am the one giving her because my finger nails are not clean due to the work I do. I am a refrigeration technician.” C. Bowen, a 45 year old refrigeration technician.

These two testimonies are from two married men. The first one is a cane cutter who has been married for 19 years and living together with his wife for 21 years. He still has a happy family life even though throughout their lives they have been struggling and couldn’t even afford to send their son to college.
The second testimony is from a 45 year old technician Mr. C. Bowen who also has his own business and his wife works at a well known bank. His oldest daughter is now finishing her bachelor’s degree part-time and is also working at a well known bank. Mr. Bowen has a problem with his wife as she is seeing another man. When investigated, his wife makes it clear that she cannot stand her husband as they no longer share the same views. Obviously he is no longer equal to her. Her theory is that, he doesn’t and cannot understand her because he is not educated enough. She even went on to say; “don’t marry someone who is less educated than you are.”

These cases are very similar to many families’ world wide. A happy family does not originate or gel because of riches. A survey shows that the majority of families that stay together are those with limited material resources. Of course we have a lot of rich and middle class people who have very successful happy family life but the majority of them have had about two to four weddings of their own in there lifetime. It is so true when the saying says; money doesn’t buy love.

Too often we hear of a 50 year old man marrying a 22 year old Blondie and whenever you hear of these stories in the next year or two, it ends in a bitter divorce. There is an art to happy marriage that many people have not developed. The art involves honesty and trust. When I say trust, it does not necessarily mean that you trust the person just by looking at him/her. It means, trusting yourself and working together with your partner as a team. When courting a person you have to feel free around him/her. You must feel free to share your inner most secrets and fears.  Also, you have to feel free to tell him/her anything. It also means sharing all your problems, anxieties and health issues. If the person accepts you based on all that you share; then he/she might just be the one. This also does not mean that you should be stupid, at this point you now trust yourself. When getting married, it means that you are looking for a life-long partner. That means you will not marry a person for money or whatever reason there is. You have to be honest with yourself and not just look on the surface of a person. If you want a happy family life, it means that you have to choose your life-long partner carefully. You will not marry a person you have doubts about or think you will feel insecure about. What is the purpose of marrying someone whom you feel insecure or have doubts about when you could wait and marry someone who you feel free around and have no doubts about? Does that make sense?

The point of this is, many people become angry and miserable when they pursue higher education. Mark this; there are a lot of people who are REAL. No matter what course they take in life, they will never change. The flip side to this is, the majority of people who strive to get a higher education and a better job often forget where they are coming from. They tend to gravitate to the richer side of the world. They no longer associate or have respect for the people they used to know before they became “high and mighty”. The example of Mr. Bowen and his family is a good example. Mr. Bowen used to have a wonderful time with wife and kids until she got a work at the bank. She is now around high classed people and so she no longer admires her husband for who he is.

Don’t let this happen to you. When choosing a marriage mate, make sure that you are being honest with yourself and choose your mate based on the qualities that you would live with for the rest of your life. Also choose a person that will grow with you. Someone who will likely be the same age, or be near your age fifteen years from now. The reason behind this is; you don’t want when you are forty, your husband or wife is sixty five and health problems such as impotence and menopause are an issue. This will only give you the license to have an affair. So you have to be smart about anything in life that you are about to do, unless you are not really serious!

Tips to remember

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day even if it means walking home from school or work or walking to buy lunch instead of driving.
2. Make time to read your bible, practice meditation, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
3. While talking is good it is recommended that you sit in silence for at least 12 minutes each day.
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that is manufactured in plants.
5. Spend time with older people, then have already gone through life and they have a lot of experience.
6. Drink plenty of water. Eat berries and cherries, broccoli, almonds & walnut
7. Clean up you surroundings including your yard, room, and office and lunch space.
8. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
9. Be humorous and try to make at least three people smile each day
10. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the negative blues away.
11. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree, remember you won’t get a pay check for it.
12. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Most times they are living in hell!
13. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
14. What other people think of you is none of your business. That’s just the truth!
15. Always remember this; your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
16. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
17. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
18. Communicate with your family as often as possible.
19. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
20. Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change.

Forget the world of criticism and failure. No one will really understand why they are wrong, so your job is to make them right and in the end you will feel better.

The power of energy

A full 8 hour sleep a night will put you in a better mood straightaway.  For a boost,  grab a 20- minute couch nap.

Get chatting

When was your last proper heart-to heart with a pal?  Spill what’s stressing you and you’ll be amazed how much sharing your problems can help.

Own up

Challenge friends to spill their  secrets- it’s great therapy.

Get sweaty

Try a fun activity such as dancing or rounders-the exercise will release mood- lifting endorphins.

Get a pet

Giving your furry friend a cuddle can benefit your health.  Stroking Rover  lowers  blood pressure.

Grab some rays

Sun helps your brain to think better, so get out for some air.

Dress to be stress-free

To guarantee stress-busting laughs, get your friends round and put together the vilest outfits imaginable.

Get Zen

For a quick chill fix, sit cross-legged and take deep, slow breaths for one minute. Concentrate on your heart beat slowing down.

Hug someone

Human contact is good for the soul-don’t grope every hot guy or girl in sight but  a squeeze from a pal will cheer up any day.

Water laugh

Go out with a water pistol with your mates and use it to squirt and flirt.  You’ll get sunshine, exercise and laughs!

Punish your problems

Punch out your problems at a kickboxing class.  You’ll be amazed of how relaxed you feel afterwards.

Brighten up

Yellow is an instant cheerer-upper,  so splash out on,  a new top, shoes or bag.

Start a thanks bank

Write a list of everything you’re grateful for.  You’ll be surprised at how many good things you have done for you.

Be positive

Try to turn gloomy thoughts into positive ones.  Bad hair day? Try something different with your hair, simply run your fingers through to make it look better. 

Be balanced

Don’t let  (maths, romance) take over. Treat life like a box of chocolates and try everything.

Sing  in the shower

Belting out your fave numbers releases endorphins that lift your spirits and will unknot any tense muscles you have.

Count your blessings

Help a little old lady across the road.  The good deed will leave you warm and fuzzy.

Eat yourself happy

Banana and blueberries are mood enhancing.  And don’t obsess about weight.

Smile at everyone

Ever noticed how good you feel when someone that you like smiles at you?  Try it and see.