10 Tips for Happiness

Many people ask me why I am so happy all the time, so I compiled a list of ten ways to live a happier life.

 #1: Find purpose in life. I personally find my purpose in living for Christ. When I live for Christ, my other purposes naturally fall into place.

 #2: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3: 5-6) I have joy in knowing that God is leading me in His way, and that His will is being done!

#3: Be productive. It may be rough when there is so much on your plate, but persevere, and the end result is fantastic!

#4: Surround yourself with people who uplift you and recognize your special characteristics that make you ... YOU! People who see your uniqueness are the people who will know how to encourage you in your difficulties.

#5: Teach yourself to Love to Learn. In college, I often focus on making the grade I need. However, when I change my mentality and go to class TO LEARN, I find it satisfying.

#6: Smile often! Sometimes I find myself frowning at the ground when I walk to and from class. When I realize this, I start smiling, even if I'm not feeling great. People all around me start smiling back at me, and that brightens my day. If you don't feel like smiling, hold a pencil between your teeth. (I learned in psychology that if you do this, you'll be happier.)

#7: Learn to laugh at yourself. As a perfectionist, I've had to practice this. Whenever I laugh off something I might otherwise be bothered by, I feel so much better. I become not only happier, but also more self-confident.

#8: Get enough rest. I often hear this complaint: "I'm tired...." (I'm good at this complaint also.) I've been training myself to schedule my time well in order to get enough sleep and feel refreshed the next day. It's been (and still is) a struggle, but it is extremely rewarding when I am persistent.

#9: Find beauty in everyday life. For me, this usually comes through simple things like the colorful way light shines through leaves (when I have to get up early), or the fact that somebody smiled at me as I walked to class. It's best for me to remember to find beauty in the morning, because mornings are difficult for me.

#10: Find reasons to like traffic, and think about them every day. Here’s a starter list if you need help:

1. I have (lots of) time by myself when I can just think.

2. I can listen to my music as loudly as I want to, with nobody to tell me to turn it off/down.

3. I can sing as loudly as I want to without anybody to tell me to stop/be quieter.

4. I get friendly waves (often) from distressed people I can let over in front of me.