Relax

Learn to ask yourself a few questions.

Is this really as important as I'm treating it?
Do I have the power to solve this? Is it my place to solve it?
What's the worst that can happen?

Quality vs. Quantity

Focus on quality.

Instead of eating an entire candy bar, have one piece of really good chocolate.
Choose fewer pieces of high-quality, beautiful, classic styles instead of blowing your entire wardrobe budget on the latest trend.
Instead of trying to visit every landmark when you're on vacation, choose a few and spend some real time there.

This is important for relationships, too. My Sweet Hubs and I have learned that we do better if we work separately during the day to get our respective chores done without interruption, and focus on each other in the evening. As much as love him, I really just don't get as much done when he's in the room. It's much better to get the work done and be able to focus completely on each other later.

Pursue

We Americans are guaranteed the right to pursue happiness. So pursue it! Build it, nurture it and grow it.

You may have noticed that we are NOT guaranteed the right to have happiness bestowed upon us.

Objectivity

One important key to consistent happiness is learning to look at situations objectively.

When someone says something that seems insulting or mean or petty, step back and think for a moment. Is that what they were really saying? If someone is staring at you in the mall, is it because you have a toilet paper tail or spinach in your teeth? Maybe it's because you're looking damn fine.

Take the time to give other possibilities a thought, before you react by being hurt, offended, nervous or embarrassed.

Nonsense, Sense and Embracing the Mystery

If you're expecting everything in this world to make sense, you're moving backwards, sister.

Learn to accept that not everything makes sense. Life isn't always fair, justice isn't always done and people are never going to behave the way you want them to. When you accept those simple truths, life gets easier.

Meander

Instead of always taking the shortest, most direct route,
take the time to meander. To go the long way, or the scenic route.

Even if all you're doing is wandering around your own house, slow down, take note and be present in the moment.

Listen

Listen more than you speak.
Listen to your heart.
Listen to the hidden meaning to the things people say.
Listen to the silence, and listen to the songbirds.

Listen.