Rules of Happiness

1. Happiness is not being upbeat all the times. Instead, think of it as a trait-one that helps you to recognize even the tiniest moments of joy, to fully embrace the good stuff in life without pause, and to know that even when things aren’t going well, this hard time too shall pass.Science shows that happiness is one of the best defenses against hardship.... The key to uncovering happiness is to be on the lookout for the sweet moments in life, big and small, and to really take them in.
2. Getting involved in something outside of your day-to-day routine has the power to infuse daily life with greater meaning....Ask these three questions:

• What do I care about beyond myself?
• What small action can I take today that is in line with this belief?
• How will my actions affect the world in the long run?

    Then take these values and turn them into verbs. If you value family time, start putting smartphones aside during dinner, create a plan for a monthly family outing.... If it’s the environment, consider volunteering your time or donating money to an organization that supports that cause, or both.

   3. Be generous: it’s contagious. There is no experience more uplifting than giving. At the base of generosity is compassion, which research finds has a direct impact on well-being. You know what’s cooler? Generosity is generative:The more you practice, the better you feel and the easier it becomes to be generous! Plus, it’s contagious. Your act of generosity very well might inspire someone else to act kindly toward another....Or get more connected.Try smiling at a stranger, tell a friend that you appreciate them, or tell a loved one how much they mean to you. It all adds up- and adds to your happiness quotient.
Remember. Real life isn’t all rainbows and kittens, but real happiness is always
available, even in rough times.

Parting thought

We often think of happiness as the side effect of some stimulus, either external(sensory) or internal(ego) But author Chade-Meng Tan says that happiness is readily available independent of either. Accessing this natural reserve of happiness what he calls “ joy on demand” requires three things; a mind at rest, the recognition of even small moments when you feel good, and basking in “wholesome joy,” which arises from things like sharing and giving-he compares it to wholesome food for the body.