100 Ways to Live a Happy Life

On February 14, 2008 I published my first article; 7 Best Thrill Rides for Teens at Walt Disney World. I did so not thinking much about it. I mean, I thought it would be nice to earn a little extra money through writing, but when I saw that I made a whopping 28 cents my first month, I doubted that I would get rich from writing (and I haven't). In fact, For the first several months of writing, a friend of mine would taunt me about taking her out for a McDonald's Happy Meal when I earned enough from writing.

Well, It's been a little over a year and a half and I'm still writing, and making pocket money each month from doing so. Some months, in fact, I make enough that I could even afford to take my nay-saying friend out for several Happy Meals! So now I find myself sitting down to write my 100th article... Who would have thunk?! Life has been good so I thought it would be appropriate to mark the occasion of my 100th article with my 100 ways to live a happy life. Now, I will admit I don't always follow these, but I certainly do try.

1. Be thankful
2. Be humble
3. Drink only fresh squeezed orange juice
4. Vote; You can make a difference
5. Don't steal a person's joy
6. Do things for people who will never find out
7. Dance through life
8. Watch an old black and white movie
9. Ease on down the road. Don't you carry nothing that might be a load
10. Give a little and get a lot in return
11. Wave at school children on the bus
12. Use your imagination
13. Ask questions
14. Take a vacation without ever leaving home
15. Dance like nobody is watching (and even if they are, dance)
16. Backwards think
17. Never refuse homemade cupcakes
18. Look at the BIG picture
19. Reconnect with old friends
20. Reconnect with someone you've fought with
21. Reconnect with yourself
22. Reconnect with your inner child
23. Use all of the colors of your imagination
24. Take risks
25. Recycle
26. Learn to laugh at yourself
27. Never give up on anyone
28. Send "thank you" letters and emails
29. Forgive others
30. Forgive yourself
31. Defy gravity
32. Recognize that we all have more in common than we realize
33. Remember birthdays
34. Don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry"
35. Don't forget to say "Thank you"
36. Always say "Please"
37. Be a good friend
38. Be a good brother
39. Be a good sister
40. Realize money won't bring you happiness
41. Realize friends and family bring you happiness
42. Whistle while you work
43. Let yourself be there when someone needs you
44. Take a nap
45. Visit Disneyland at least once in your life
46. Love
47. Love some more
48. Allow others to love you back
49. Give a compliment to someone you don't know
50. Learn to take compliments graciously
51. Smile more often
52. Try something new
53. Don't judge others; You haven't walked in their shoes
54. Watch less television
55. Read books
56. Accept that nobody is perfect
57. Accept that you're not perfect
58. Learn a new language
59. Travel somewhere new
60. Take walks
61. Volunteer
62. Be optimistic
63. Realize yesterday is in the past
64. Live in the moment of today
65. Accept that tomorrow is a new day
66. Take care of the environment
67. Take care of the environment; Stop using plastic bags
68. Take care of the environment; Buy locally grown produce
69. Give more hugs
70. Learn the truth about the Loch Ness Monster
71. Plant a tree
72. Follow you dreams
73. Don't postpone joy
74. Do what you love and let the money follow
75. Daydream
76. Daydream BIGGER
77. Visit museums
78. Live simple
79. Hold your head high
80. Keep a journal
81. Take time to stop and smell the roses
82. Accept failure and learn from it
83. Become a better writer
84. Be positive; Life is great
85. Celebrate little things in life
86. Roller skate (using real roller skates and not roller blades)
87. Visit your grandparents
88. Call your mother
89. Cook real homemade meals
90. Sing more often
91. Look up an old crush and see how they're doing
92. Go bowling with friends
93. Support your community
94. Support your community; eat at a locally owned restaurant
95. Support your community; shop at a locally owned store
96. Accept that everything is as it should be at this very moment
97. Adopt a pet
98. Make someone's day
99. Don't just hear what someone is saying but listen to what they are telling you
100. Be thankful after all is said and done