Happiness is a habit just like unhappiness is a habit. Happiness is a mental
attitude and therefore a skill you can learn.

You are the driver of your bus - you are in charge! When you think
positive, you will get positive and a positive attitude facilitates achieving
happiness. Conversely, negative thinking results in negativity and leads to
feeling unhappy.

Some people live a life of misery, sadness, despair, fear, anger, stress,
anxiety, depression and having low self-esteem. How do you leave this
mind-set? One has to look over the wall and realize that the happiness
other people are enjoying can be theirs as well.

If you are mired in this negative mind-set, you need to extend yourself to
get beyond this. You need to do some soul-searching and question your
belief system upon which your core beliefs are built.

You need to decide that you can adopt the habit and mental attitude of
happiness. You have to extend yourself beyond your negative comfort
zone , abandon negative thinking and negative habits.

You need to surround yourself with happy people who can positively
influence and encourage you. This means that you will have to leave
behind some of the people who don’t fit the happiness model, including
the negative and limiting ideas and thinking that had you anchored in
unhappiness.

A good start is to tune in to positive surroundings, enjoying simple things
like a walk in the park and enjoying nature. Listening to calming and
uplifting music, reading inspiring books, explore and partake in self-
improvement training.

Discover some of your inner talents, explore and build on them. Focus on
the moment. Walk when you’re walking, sing when you’re singing, sleep
when you’re sleeping etc. By enjoying the moment, you will find that
efforts to be happy are no greater than they are to be unhappy.

You are the driver of your bus - you are in charge! Remember that life
should be lived not just endured.

Gerry Hopman is an Author, Humorist and Humor Motivational Speaker.
He has a degree in Business Administration, is a Certified Human
Resources Professional and a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader.

He believes that humor, laughter and happiness are essential to finding and
maintaining balance in life and career. He has a true appreciation for
humor and laughter and shares his passion with total energy and
enthusiasm.

To find out more about Gerry and his views on how humor and laughter
touch on health, wellness, stress management, happiness, fun, and joy in
life and career, visit his web site at:  http://www.humor-laughter.com