Rule #10 -- Be More Social

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. " -- Marcel Proust


In the 10th part of the 18 Rules of Happiness, Karl Moore says that the happiest and most successful people in society have a large social network.

One has to have lots of friends, lots of colleagues, lots of people you can call just to banter with for 10 minutes. One shortcut to becoming happier is to make more friends.

You need to be proactive about it. You can't wait for interesting people to stumble into your life. Join local clubs, take classes, or just be friendly and chat with neighbors. In this computer age, social networking sites are in! You can join Facebook and similar sites and join groups with people of the same interests. Making friends isn't difficult if you make the effort.

Be a friend with a positive attitude. No one wants to be around people who spend their time moaning and complaining. Sometimes you need to exert a little more effort. Some people take time to warm up and open up. Keep making friends and expand your social circle.

Be more social -- and you will be happy.

Rule #9 -- Appreciate Both Sides of the Coin

 

"You don't know when you've hit a peak until you're coming down. And you don't know when you've hit a trough until you're climbing out. It's all good." - David Brent


In this 9th part of the 18 Rules of Happiness, Karl Moore talks about the duality that exists in life. Indeed, can you truly know what happiness is if you have not experienced sadness at all?

Life is full of opposites. This concept is one of the things we learn early on in school. When there's up, there's down. When there's hot, there's cold. In order to appreciate light, you must experience dark.

Opposites, right? But they exist as pairs. How can you indeed know one without the other?

Indeed, how many people want to experience only the good, the positive, and the happy. To be truly happy, you will need to embrace the duality of life experiences.

Perhaps it's time to stop judging individual experiences as good or bad. Simply accept them as part of your life adventures. When negative things seem to happen, just accept that it's the other side of the coin. It's part of the equation.

So, appreciate the other side of the coin -- and you will be happy.

Rule #8 -- Experience, Don't Hoard!

"When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do." - Walt Disney

Karl Moore talks about living and truly experiencing life in this 8th part of the 18 Rules of Happiness. He says that when you experience life, you feel more whole, fulfilled and authentic.

I would generally agree. However, there are times when you are limited by your financial capacity to do what you want. Having the material resources, on the other hand, doesn't guarantee lasting happiness.

So instead of indulging in material goods, how about creating mini life adventures? Why don't you learn a new skill, like a new language or a new dance step? Or you can have a "tour" of your local neighborhood, taking time out to admire everything around you.

It can be anything.. doesn't have to be big or expensive. It's something that you can do on your own. Maybe you want to set up your own blog and write about your experiences. Or you can dine in a new restaurant every day for a week. Just try to experience life.

Experience - don't hoard - and you will be happy.

Rule #7 -- Happiness Is Only Ever Now

"Few of us ever live in the present, we are forever anticipating what is to come or remembering what has gone." - Louis L'Armor


In the 7th part of the 18 Rules of Happiness, Karl Moore talks about being happy in the present moment. He mentions that most people are either dreaming of the future or caught up in the past.

"I'll be happier once I've lost 20 pounds."

"I wished I took that vacation I wanted."

Sound familiar? Which one are you? Try to look at the way you think. Are you happy in this moment? As in right now, perhaps while reading this blog? Or is there something that you'd rather be doing -- like fly a kite somewhere or take that relaxing walk? If so, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and do just that!

Well, of course, we only have the present time to be happy. It's the only time that exists for us. The past is gone. The future has not yet arrived. So why not make the most of right here, right now. If you want to sing or dance, go ahead and do so. You know you'll be happy once you've done so.

Do take note that the present time (RIGHT NOW) is the only time that you can do what you want or change anything in your life. So, are you happy right now? If not, make the decision to be happy. NOW.

Remember, make that simple decision -- to be happy NOW.

Rule #6 -- Do Random Acts of Kindness

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." - Dalai Lama


In this 6th installment of the 18 Rules of Happiness, Karl Moore talks about doing random acts of kindness. Have you ever tried doing it?

In my views, it's pretty easy to just be a kind person -- generally speaking that is. I'm sure that's not so hard to do. Just be kind with everyone you meet. Be a pleasant being that anyone won't mind hanging around with.

So what is this random act of kindness? It's a small act of kindness that you grant to someone else -- even if you don't know them -- and for absolutely no reason; that is you're not expecting to be repaid.

It's like when you hold the elevator door open for someone who's trying to run for it. Or holding the door for an elderly who has quite her hands full.

I do believe I like this rule. A little act of kindness goes a long way. And 'coz you've been kind to someone, there's a bigger chance that he/she will pass it on. It's what the world needs today.

Do random acts of kindness -- and you will be happy.