12 Things Happy People Do Differently by Stephen Covey

I found this list of 12 Things Happy People Do Differently.  It was written by Stephen Covey who is the author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.  He has a lot of very inspiring ideas packed into this list.  It touches on a lot of the spiritual principles of the 12 steps which I try to live out each day including: gratitude, kindness, commitment, forgiveness, and brotherly love.  It's another reminder for me to do my best each day and leave the rest for my Higher Power.  Enjoy! Bonnie J

1. Express Gratitude: When you appreciate what you have, what you have appreciates in value. If we aren’t thankful for what we already have, we will have a hard time ever being happy.

2. Cultivate Optimism: People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times.

3. Avoid over-thinking and social comparison: Comparing yourself to someone else can be poisonous. The only person you should compare to yourself is yourself before now.

4. Practice acts of kindness: Selflessly helping someone is a super powerful way to feel good inside.

5. Nurture social relationships: The happiest people on the planet are the ones who have deep, meaningful relationships.

6. Develop strategies for coping: It helps to have healthy strategies for coping per-rehearsed, on-call, and in your arsenal at your disposal (like an affirmation).

7. Learn to forgive: Harbouring feelings of hatred is horrible for your well being.

8. Increase flow experiences: Flow is a state in which it feels like time stands still. It’s when you’re so focused on what you’re doing that you become one with the task. Nothing is distracting you or competing for your focus.

9. Savour life’s joys: Deep happiness cannot exist without slowing down to enjoy the joy.

10. Commit to your goals: Magical things start happening when we commit ourselves to doing whatever it takes to get somewhere.

11. Practice spirituality: When we practice spirituality or religion, we recognize that life is bigger than us. We surrender the silly idea that we are the mightiest thing ever.

12. Take care of your body: Taking care of your body is crucial to being the happiest person you can be.