Don't Worry. Be Happy.

Listen to this song by Bobby McFerrin.

How does it make you feel? I know it makes me feel happy and relaxed. And that is the message McFerrin is trying to convey with this song.

Living a happy, resilient, and optimistic life is wonderful. It's also good for your health because being happy actually protects you from the stresses of like. If you are stressed too much and all the time, you are at risk developing heart disease, cancer, or having a stroke.

"The only thing in life that will always remain the same is change"

This statement is very true. One of my personal values I have is adaptation. I feel if you can't adapt yourself to certain situations, to at least accommodate yourself, you're going to have trouble in life. We have the power to make the necessary changes if we want to.

Relationships are essential to happiness. People are different because some accept people for whom or what they are, avoid clashes, constant arguments, and let go of all kinds of resentment. Of course, you are going to get those people you initiate these types of conflicts, but they are just bored. If you ignore them, they will go away. If arguments seem unavoidable still and try and make an effort to understand the situation and you might just get along well with them. Happiness can be found in everyone. Increasing happiness will make a life more wonderful and healthy.

You can simply choose to be happy. It is actually relatively easy since it is YOUR choice. It is OK choosing not to be happy, but it's not really a good idea to spread your unhappiness onto others. It really depends on the situation. Being intentionally hateful towards others is just not right. However, if you just need someone to listen to your unhappy problems, let's hope someone is kind of enough to lend an ear.

Abe Lincoln observed that most people through time can choose how happy, stressed, relaxed, troubled, bright, or dull an outlook to be.

Being grateful is a great attitude to achieve your happiness. We have so much to be thankful for. Thank the taxi driver for being you home safely. Thank the cook for a wonderful dinner. Thank the guy who cleans your windows. Thank the mailman for bringing you your mails. And thank the policeman for making your place safe. Thank God for being alive. The list goes on and on. So the next time you get serviced for anything, make sure you have a good attitude about it (yes, even if the service stinks) because in the long run, you will feel good about yourself.

They say laughter is the best medicine and I could not agree more. Having a great laugh at least once a day will make you happy, especially if you are laughing with friends, family or whomever. Combining laughter and relationships is an essential part to achieve your happiness.

Expressing your feelings will make you happy because you are letting go of that stress that is burdening you. Try not to bottle up anything because in the long run you are only hurting yourself. Try to express your feelings in a way that it would not hurt you or anyone else.

If you are able to work hard, you will be happy. Personal satisfaction is a key part to being as happy as you want to be. Events such as graduating from school, getting a promotion, completing personal projects are things that will help you achieve your happiness.

Be active! It's been said time and time again that if you are frequently active you will feel good about yourself and you will just have a better all-around attitude. Take up an activity. Go running, hiking, to the gym. Get a partner to do it with too, if you need motivation. It will make you feel so much better.

And remember, like Honest Abe says "most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be". So take that with you and get happy and stay happy today!