Six Steps to Achieving More Happiness

Most people want to feel happiness - at least some of the time. Many would choose to be happier if it were simply a matter of choosing it. Here are some specific tips that, if worked toward and attained, are apt to help a person be happier more often.

1) Look in the mirror. Stare, even if it is hard, for longer than you are really comfortable with. After a time, you will begin to see yourself less critically than you might ordinarily do - More the way you arrear to the people who like and/or love you. This is who you are. The self-criticalness is usually a function of either a distorted self-image or unfair criticism from those who feel that they benefit from demeaning you.

2) Make a list of everyone you have loved and now care about and another including as many things as you can think of that you figure those people like about you. (Yes, they ALL like things about you.) If you can't think of anything, be brave - pick up the phone and call someone you feel is a friend. Ask that person to tell you just one thing they like about you. They may laugh to be asked, but will tell you something you need to know.

3) Do something altruistic. This means doing something for someone else where all you get out of it is the good feeling that comes with having some something just to feel better about yourself! (This is the secret to Santa's ever-present smile and seemingly eternal jolliness.)

4) Buy yourself a small present. Not for any special occasion - just because you deserve it and it is a small way of doing something nice for yourself. It is best if it is not something you really require, but rather something that you might consider frivolous and unnecessary. That's why I suggest keeping it small. You deserve a small token of acknowledgment from yourself and the happiness meter in your heart will go up a notch or two.

5) Tell someone you like that you like them - and why. This one is pretty self-explanatory. And finally,