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I attribute my success with relationships, business growth, and personal growth to these habits of happiness that are my Keys to Live Happy. They help me navigate any negativity and chaos that comes to me.

Each and every one of us face challenges every day of our lives. The difference between struggling and suffering is simply a mindset. A life without pain is a life without joy and happiness. Struggling is necessary for growth.

I have been asked when this started with me, and in retrospect I believe it is because of great parenting that I began learning how to practice habits of  happiness. My mother (and her mother also) had every reason to be unhappy and choose to be miserable because of unfortunate events and illness in their lives, but both of them were shining examples of happiness in spite of all the great obstacles they faced.

What I am doing with my time now is giving back. I want to help anyone interested to learn the habits that have contributed to help me reach my dreams. I have distilled these ten habits or “keys” to my living happy and want to share them with you here. I can tell you that as simple as these habits are, they are not always easy to repeat each day. However, I can promise you that if you strive to do all of them EVERY DAY of your life – you will feel the power of your choice to live happy and will be successful at everything you pursue.

I strongly believe when each of us takes full responsibility for the world we create around ourselves every moment of every day – there will be no more fear. In the absence of fear there is only unconditional love – This will end all conflict and bring peace, health and prosperity to every person on this planet.

For me, it is important to do seven of these habits of happiness first thing in the morning BEFORE my other activities of the day begin. The other habits are something I do many times throughout each day.

1. Keep a gratitude journal

Write about things you remember from the day before that make you feel grateful. I take a few minutes to write about the events of the past day, and try to find the positive lessons from that day – Even if some of those experiences are challenging or frustrating. If this is the only habit you develop it will be life-changing on its own. Happiness is a choice and being grateful for EVERYTHING that comes to us in our life every moment of every day is the first and most important habit.

2. Read my WHY.

Determine your “why” (the vision that drives you) – and align every day toward making it a reality. For every person this will be uniquely your reason for living, working and playing. From early childhood we all have dreams of becoming a person of relevance to the world, starting with family and friends. If you have lost those dreams take time to find and renew them. My dreams today are to spend time with family and friends and to share anything I can to help others reach their dreams.

At this point in my life my own Why is:

3. Read my Vision Statement.

A “Vision Statement” describes HOW you are going to accomplish your “Why”. It includes language that helps us stay focused each day on high payoff activities that bring success to reaching our Why. My Vision Statement is:

4. Read my Mission Statement

In order to take specific action and make my Why and my Vision become reality, I need a Mission. This is my mission statement:

5. Read my Affirmations.

These statements usually begin with “I AM”. Whether you have realized them or aspire to realize them your mind cannot tell the difference between our perceived reality or the reality we see in our mind “as if” it has already happened. This is how we create the best world around ourselves. These are my current affirmations:

6. Read 10 pages (or listen to 15 minutes) of a personal development book.

Keep learning and become a voracious reader to learn as much as you can toward your Why and Vision Statements. These books include “The Slight Edge” by Jeff Olson, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, “Divine Love” by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, “Becoming Supernatural” by Dr. Joe Dispenza, “A Happy Pocket Full of Money” by David Gikandi, and MANY others. You can find some of my favorite reads on this site by selecting “Favorite Reads” from the BLOG categories. You can find YouTube videos on my channel under Personal Development & Philosophy that may help you get started.

7. Physical exercise for at least 20 minutes each day.

It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you MOVE. Walking, running, jogging, lifting weights, yard work, shopping, etc. As long as you can get your heart rate above 100 for 20 minutes each day you will find it easier to keep moving through life.

8. Smile when you talk!

Think about it. If you simply smile every time you open your mouth to speak how much more pleasant life will be and how you will attract people into your life. It is a miracle how it can diffuse tension in any conversation too.

9. Meditation.

This is the one habit I practice throughout each day. It is a simple thing but not easy to make it become a habit. Click this link to learn more.

10. Intentional Giving.

While I was doing habit 6 listed above, I listened to a YouTube video from TEDx by Jacqueline Way on the subject of “How to be happy every day”. I encourage you to listen to this 15 minute video when you have time. I strongly believe this habit of intentional giving every day is something everyone can do, and is very powerful to bringing happiness to the world. I do this in several ways including: 1) sharing this web blog to most people I meet, 2) volunteering my time to non-profit companies and charity events. and 3) recycling waste whenever possible.

These habits of happiness are a subset of my 20 Habits of Highly Successful People – You can read them by clicking this link.

I want to share a tracker that helped me get started and turn these activities into habits. Click here to download tools. I recommend you put them on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror to remind you of them each day until they have become habit.