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"The most important benefit of patience consists in the way it acts as a powerful antidote to the affliction of anger - the greatest threat to our inner peace, and therefore our happiness. The mind, or spirit, is not physical, it cannot be touched or harmed directly. Only negative thoughts and emotions can harm it. Therefore, only the corresponding positive quality can protect it." ~H.H. the Dalai Lama

As a life coach amd author, I have worked with thousands of people who are searching for their life happiness.

What I've seen is that people who 'fill up on happiness' are more likely to naturally take actions that move them in the direction of their goals.  They also tend to burn more calories, and attract happy and successful people into their lives.

1.  What do I mean by 'fill up on happiness?"  I mean choose to find happiness---not negtivity, gossip, mind-numbing TV  shows, or empty calories in the world around you.  The following tips, techiniques, and happiness quotes should get you started.

2.  Take Action, Take Heart---"Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold, the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul."  by Democritus (460?-370? B.C.).  Focus on the chase, the process, the journey---not the end result!  At the end of the day, happiness is not about the big house, the money, or the material goods.  The thrill is in the satisfaction of pushing our envelope and working hard.  Happiness lives in the meaning and purpose we find in our lives.  Melt into the process.  Enjoy the ride.  Happiness guaranteed!!

3.  Find Something to Celebrate Everyday--  "There are two ways to live:  you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle."   by Albert Einstein   

Celebrate a creative idea, your brillance, your authentic style, your family, and/or your clean closets!  Celebrate anything and everything that brightens your heart.  If you find one thing to celebrate every day, your mind will soon automatically search for things to celebrate.

4.  Open Your Hear and Forgive----"Foregiveness is a funny thing.  It warms the heart and cools the sting."    by William Arthur Ward

One needs to expend an awful lot of energy to hold onto anger and resentment.  And at the end of the day, who is hurting?  Certainly not the people to whom you are directing your bitterness, and hostility.  Those negative feelings are swirling through your own psyche and body.  So let them go and enjoy a path toward feeling lighter, freer, and happier.  In the end, yhou could consider foregiveness the best kind of selfish act, as it benefits you as much as anyone else.

5.  Give Yourself Credit-----"The truest greatness lies in being kind, the truest wisdom in a happy mind."       by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Rather than focusing on what you haven't achieved, why not focus on what you have accomplished and give yourself credit where credit is due?  No holds barred. No thoughts that negate your triumphs or happy moments.

6.  Color Yourself Happy:

Adults reported feeling happier when in the presence of the colors green and yellow.   On our deepest levels, these glorius  spring colors remind us of sunshine, spring fields and happiness.  Don't underestimate the power and importance of your physical environment, your home, your office and your car anywhere you live.  Paint it happy!!

7.  Shake Your Booty:

"Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person's physical, emotional, and mental states."   by Carol Welch

Exercise stimulates the brain to release endorphines and increases the production of neurotransmitter serotonin, the bodys natural mood elevator!  Schedule 30 minutes a day to get out there and shake it, baby!  Walk, dance, run, jump up and down, twirl in circles...move any way you can and feel happy.

8.  Clear Space for Happiness:

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."      by Henry David Thoreau

Get those unpleasant little, pesky tasks done, now!  Go on I said now!  They are sapping your energy and weighing you down.  They are hanging over your head.  Free yourself of this mental, clutter, and clear space for happiness!

9.  Release Physical Tension

"We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.  And we should call every truth false which was not accompanied by at least one laugh."    by Friedich Nietzsche

Stress, upset, and negative feelings can register in the body as tight shoulders, stomach cramps, stiff neck, or a headache.  Some, recommended ways to release this physical tension are to laugh, chant or sing, breathe deeply, get a massage, or sit in a sauna or steam room.  It's important to take care of your body in whatever way works for you.

10.  Creative Act of Kindness-----"The best way to cheer yourself up is the try to cheer somebody else up."            by Mark Twain

Do something nice for someone else.

Conclusions:

Strengthen Your Gratitude Muscle----  "Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving."   by Kahlil Gibran

We can be collectors of injustices, perpetually feeling slighted, empty, and unhappy because of all he injustices(both real and imagined) that have fallen upon us.  Or, we can count our blessings, feel joyful and happy, and cultivate gratitude.

Every night before you go to bed, jot down 5 things that you are gratefly for.  You may be grateful for the obvious, food, shelter, clothing, a job, or some subtle things like smiles from stranger a ripe piece of fruit, or the bus arriving just as you get to the stop.  As you strengthen your gratitude muscle you'll find that your life is filled with more blessings han you realize.

Practice and Create a Happiness Circle:

Sit quietly, close your eyes, and just for a moment or two concentrate on the word "happiness".  What comes to mind when you imagine feeling happy?  What are your associations with happiness.

Write your thoughts in The Happiness Circle  'Don't think:  just fill your circle with happiness.  You may be surprised to note that the simple things in life are what comes to mind.