A Real Life Guide to Happiness

We all strive for happiness in our lives, and we all know its not always so easy to achieve. I've been blessed to know so many interesting and truly amazing people in my life, and the following guide is derived from face to face conversations with many different people, not by searching the Internet for inspiring quotes. Each is tested and true. I sincerely hope that anyone reading this will find a little more happiness in their day.

No families are normal, and that's OK. Don't be afraid to put the fun in dysfunctional!

Get at least ten minutes of fresh air and sunshine every day, it will do you a world of good, and it applies to everyone from newborns to the elderly.
My first response to hearing this was "Hey Doc, you know we're in Pittsburgh, right? In November?" But I trusted him and he was right. Besides the vitamin D we get from the sun, its an automatic attitude adjustment to feel the wind across your face and to get away from artificial light.

Two things will always fail and inevitably backfire: blackmail and ultimatums. Refuse to take part in either for any reason.

Don't complain about getting old. Consider the alternative. If you think its hard to enjoy life because you're older, just try enjoying while you're dead. Impossible.

Accept compliments gracefully. Someone took time from their day to make you feel good about yourself, don't make them regret it. Smile and say "Thank you".

Never pre-judge anyone. You don't want to be judged by your accent, hairstyle, tattoo, who you're dating, etc. Give others that same respect. By not pre-judging others, you open doors to new friends and new ideas that may have never crossed your mind before.

There are 3 topics of conversation that should be approached with extreme caution: Religion, Politics, and the Great Pumpkin.
Thank you Linus Van Pelt.

Don't get upset if someone gossips about you. Instead, pity them because they're lives are so boring and empty that their best topic of conversation is something you probably never did.

If you find yourself losing patience with your children, take a deep breath, and talk to them like they are someone else's kids.
All parents will find their patience wearing thin at times. But most of us would think twice about screaming at or smacking someone else's child. Sometimes this is all it takes to keep a frustrating situation from going to an out--of-control one.

Take time to appreciate the happy moments in your life, even if they seem insignificant at the time. "Wasted time" is never truly wasted. Its all those little happy moments that make life worth living. You don't ever want to think after a friend is gone "what i wouldn't give for one more happy moment with them". Appreciate those moments, and your friends, today. Raise a glass to toast them while they're sitting next to you, don't wait until you bury them.

Happiness is all about how you perceive things. You can change your point of view easier than you can change your situation and be just as happy.

Never enter a relationship trying to change someone. Its not up to you to "fix" someone who doesn't want to be "fixed". They're not broken, they are simply just not the right one for you. Accept it and move on.

Do something nice for you, it doesn't matter if its yoga, pot, random pumpkin assassination, or a good book. Find something that gives you joy. So many of us are so consumed by daily responsibilities and taking care of loved ones that we forget to take care of ourselves.

Finally, remember the oldest rule there is: treat others how you wish to be treated. Karma is powerful, never send anything out in the world you wouldn't want back. Because it will come back.