by TBAcademics

Created on: April 18, 2008

Own it.
The key to being happy is "living," while you're alive. We've all heard the expression, "Get a life." We've heard it as encouragement. We've heard it as a rebuke; however, hearing is not always believing. It may or may not prompt us to set sail towards the endeavor. Everyday, we hear of multi-million dollar lottery winners across the country, even internationally. While there's always that faint voice of optimism assuring us, "It could be you," we see winners, hear of them, and still aren't necessarily sold on the remote possibility of winning. Even if we're persuaded for a time, to experiment and buy tickets, lacking conviction will eventually get the best of us. We'll discontinue and dismiss it as ridiculous.

The pursuit of happiness is somewhat comparable. We may observe blissful co-workers, couples, singles, and even celebrities, in the public eye. We hear of them through every medium, from the rumor mill to the worldwide web. We read of them, speak of them; yet, we may not learn from them, or emulate their choices, feeling their happiness is due, in part, to luck, some form of coincidence or serendipity. Truthfully, we don't always have the energy to take responsibility for being happy, or even acting "as if"; considering, mediocre, mundane to melancholy living, itself, seems wearisome, enough. It's the "pursuit" part of the pursuit of happiness that deters us from even beginning. It's easier, and it seems a matter of conservation, to just settle, and accept our lot in life, even it's a real bummer, at times. We chalk it up to "some guys have all the luck". If it's credible to Rod Stewart, and he's a multimillionaire, it's good enough for us.

What if we were adventurous, creative, and energetic enough to really get a life? What would that entail? Well, there's no avoiding three very necessary components if creating luck is to be attainable. Gratifying hobbies, good, present company, and an unwaivering, optimistic belief system.

Exercising, affirmation writing, novel reading, journalism, and a few reality shows or televised entertainment pieces are just examples of hobbies that could take a full-day's schedule alone. Add mall-hopping, traveling to amusement parks, and painting, remodeling or volunteering with various charities. Before you can engage yourself in fun, you must journey to the unknown. Do you know what you love? What activities give you pleasure? Which are predicated upon other's presence and which can you pull off alone? Being happy in

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