I came across something I wrote under one of my goals at 43things.com on Sept 28, 2009.  I want to share it here because I feel it may be helpful to some of you. My goal there was to "be happy"...I didn't clue in until now I have the same goal here.  On Sept 28 I marked the goal as completed and here is what I wrote with it: "A challenge, but worth it!" How I did it: I've realized that a lot is perspective and how I choose to allow things to affect me.  Choosing to focus on the positive (no matter how insignificant) makes a huge difference on whether or not I am happy.  Takes a lot of practice to feel happy on a consistent basis and I have to choose each day whether I want to be happy or not. Lessons & tips: I know it's not always as easy as just choosing...for me it also took a lot of trial and error with anti-depressants.Allow yourself to have time when you don't feel happy.  Giving yourself permission to feel your various emotions, it makes a difference.You always have a choice on how a situation can affect you...it's up to you on how it's going to affect you.  Remember it's okay to feel stressed if it's a stressful situation, it's okay to feel sad if something sad happened, let yourself feel those feelings and it will make feeling happiness easier too. Resources: therapy, positive self talk, anti-depressants http://www.43things.com/how_i_did_it/view/70404/how-to-be-happy   Today, is another snowy stormy day. I love the snow, but it's mixed with freezing rain which I'm not enjoying so much.  I did get out for a walk though...I headed for the mall.  I got within a few feet of the door when an announcement was made that due to the weather the mall was closing at 4pm (it was about 3:50pm at this point).  So I quickly ran inside and picked up a pack of gum...the main reason I went to the mall.  I was thinking of buying the game The Biggest Loser for the Wii but both stores that sell it already had their doors closed.  I left the mall and walked home a different route from what I'd normally take.  It was so beautiful (minus the ouchie freezing rain) and was quite a challenging work-out but it was fun.  It made me feel like a kid again and I think it's important as adults to be child-like sometimes.  If it wasn't for the freezing rain that was hitting my face I probably would've stopped to make snowballs...or maybe even a snowman.  :)