Secrets of Happiness

From my journal, dated June 20, 2004:

Don’t live to impress other humans. If you live to impress God, consider just doing your best instead. The key to being happy is recognizing that God loves us. Other factors to being happy are:

1. Know your limitations.
2. Learn to say no without anger or frustration or guilt.
3. Always strive for your best, but recognize that sometimes, maybe most times, your best won’t be ‘the best’.
4. Always be happy for other people’s successes.
5. Always be sad for other people’s difficulties.
6. Never say, “I told you so” or imply it by your actions or gestures.
7. Remember that only you can affect your own emotions. Other people can only attempt to affect them.
8. Forgive freely; both yourself and others.
9. Never seek revenge.
10. When seeking justice, make sure it is justice and not revenge you are seeking.
11. Always double check your motives
12. Never distrust the motives of others.
13. Always try to err in favor of others.
14. Work at appearing reasonable.
15. Never gossip.
16. Set goals, both long and short term.
17. Wait for one night to pass before sending out any correspondence you fear may be taken the wrong way.
18. Use a spell checker in all correspondence.
19. Never expect perfection from yourself or others.
20. Never do things solely for recognition.
21. Always do charity anonymously.
22. Surprise people with gifts of kindness.
23. Strive to always say “Please”, “Thank You” and “You’re Welcome”.
24. Never take the easy way out and give money to a beggar; buy him or her a meal or clothes instead.
25. If someone offers to work for food, keep them to their promise.
26. Never hold a grudge.
27. Laugh at other people’s jokes.
28. Try to find something positive to say about everybody you know.
29. Try to forget the negative you could say about everybody you know.
30. Never stop dreaming.
31. Never feel you are too old to play.
32. Exercise your mind; read quality literature.
33. Splurge from time to time.
34. Never spank your children, teach them the difference between right and wrong instead.
35. Never pop someone else’s bubble.
36. Take pictures of your loved ones and give them copies.
37. Take the time to go through your photos from time to time.
38. Practice empathy.
39. Clean a part of your residence every day, even if it is just a small part.
40. Fold clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer.
41. Limit the amount of time spend watching TV.
42. Say “Thank You” at every meal even if you don’t think anyone is listening.
43. Look people directly in the eyes.
44. Smile profusely.
45. Doodle.
46. Write poetry.
47. Send out a “Thank You” card for every gift, card or significant gesture.
48. Keep a journal.
49. Exercise at least once a week.
50. Be patient with the elderly.
51. Be patient with children.
52. Get to know one new person every month.
53. Keep your eyes open for greeting cards your loved ones might enjoy receiving.
54. Never expect recompense for kind acts.
55. Never refuse the kind gesture of a loved one.
56. Keep your bedroom the neatest place in your house.
57. Learn how to organize drawers and closets.
58. Clean the sink, counters, stove top and dining table every time you do the dishes.
59. Be alert for positive music.
60. Never allow your neighbor to hear your music from their place.
61. Hold the door for the person walking behind you.
62. Say thank you when someone holds the door for you.
63. Throw all trash in the proper receptacle.
64. Don’t judge people by the job they have, the car they drive or the clothes they wear.
65. Firmly believe that ALL problems have a workable solution.
66. Use sarcasm sparingly.
67. Have at least one clean joke memorized at the ready.
68. Give others the benefit of the doubt whenever possible.
69. Keep your promises, even when it is to your disadvantage.
70. Always try to be early.
71. Avoid unnecessary competition.
72. Find time to take care of a pet.
73. Always clean up after your pets.
74. Plant flowers in front of your house.
75. Don’t try to outdo your neighbor’s house.
76. Dress modestly.
77. Bathe regularly.
78. Use deodorant daily.
79. Save your pocket change.
80. Keep a camera and film in your car.
81. Collect something: books, spoons, pictures of owls; something.
82. Iron your clothes.
83. Develop a firm handshake.
84. Believe in yourself and others.
85. Don’t belittle other people’s beliefs.
86. Keep your head up when you walk.
87. Be alert to the beauty of your surroundings.
88. Never pass on spam email.
89. Never involve others in chain letters, chain email, etc.
90. Keep moist towelettes in your car.
91. Keep your car neat, inside and out.
92. Clean your shoes regularly.
93. Try different foods, even ones you know you don’t like.
94. Always ask people if they want your advice before giving it.
95. Never give advice to those who don’t want it.
96. Respect people’s personal space.
97. Always try to leave people in a better mood than what you encounter them in.
98. Clean up small messes right away.
99. Avoid impulse buying, especially with expensive things.
100. Get the oil in your car changed regularly.
101. Always help your loved ones with the household chores.