Do What Happy People Do

There is a saying among 12-Step people that goes like this: "If you want what I have, do what I do." I believe the same principle also applies to happiness. If you look around you at people who are enjoying each day to the fullest, regardless of their circumstances, you will notice that these people are likely to have something in common. They all have happiness habits that they practice on a daily basis. In other words, they have a foundation for happiness.

Here are some of the happiness habits that I have found to be most effective both for myself, and for the people I work with:

1. Practice gratitude. Look around you every day and notice the many things that you have to be grateful for. I have found that even in the bleakest of circumstances, I still have many things for which to be grateful. Each of us has 86,400 seconds in every day. Ask yourself, "How many of those seconds am I remembering to be grateful?"

2. Practice acts of kindness. I have a group of friends with whom I walk my dog, Abby, each morning between 7 AM and 8 AM. A couple of years ago, one of our older neighbors, Sylvia, lost her next door neighbor and best friend. Each morning, all of the "dog friends" would go out of our way to give Sylvia a big hug and invite her to join us. Sylvia now says that act of kindness by the "dog friends" each day was what got her through some of her darkest days. Acts of kindness don't have to cost anything. Simply giving an encouraging smile to a stranger can be a great act of kindness.

3. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people. Social support has been found to be one of the greatest buffers against the damaging effects of chronic stress.

4. Practice forgiveness. Buddha summed it up best with this saying:Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.

For more happiness habits, you might want to have a look at my book, "Why Wait? Be Happy Now!" by going to my website, www.donnadaisy.com. You can also find it on www.amazon.com.

With greatest love and respect for you,Donna Daisy