How to be Happy

I’m happy. I've always been happy. I guess that means I can give advice on being happy.

1: Golden rule: do unto others and such. Totally rad and relevant. Can get messy when values clash, but it’s generally 100% useful.

2: Be yourself. You will not understand this bit of advice until you understand yourself. Give it 20 years or so. Maybe more. I didn’t get this one until I fell in love and someone was there to tell me that my tendencies were OK and not annoying. Love is really acceptance at its core.

3: Remember everyone’s names. This is tough, but there is a way to do it. A trick: when you meet someone for the first time, make sure you say their name back to them, then say it 3 more times while talking to them and looking them in the eye or face. You will feel like a dick, like you are superficial, but this is infinitely preferable to not knowing their name the next time you meet them. You will be surprised. If you repeat their name to them and look at their face, the brain just remembers. The hardest part is forcing yourself to believe this second impulse that says “Hey, that’s Steve!” Trust me, if you repeat their name three times while looking them in the face, the name will just come to you when you see them again. It’s kinda magic.

And people’s names are magic. Like Dale Carnegie said, a person’s name is like music to their ears. They will love you if you know their name, and hate you if you forget it. Really try the above tactic. I am someone who mixes up doods and ladies in movies all the time, and have a horrible problem with names/faces. But the above trick works. Use it. Learn it. Live it. Remember everyone’s name. The janitor, the homeless dood, the sandwich guy, yer coffee girl. Everyone. This is super dup...

... middle of paper ...

...ld contacts are much, much more important. Go drinking with your IRC buddies. Play paintball with your Facebook pals. Get out there and meet people, press flesh, laugh together.

10: Have goals. If you have a goal, you will achieve it eventually. You simply need to have that goal. It’s better to make them big, as it’s tough to come up with new ones when you’ve finally bought that new Ford, or MacBook Air. Dream big, and hold onto those dreams. They will come true, and it will never happen how you expect it to. The universe takes care of those who are positive and determined.

11: Be happy. If you are reading this, you are part of the wealthiest, most privileged peoples in the history of the universe! Rejoice at the ease of your life and opportunities before you! The sweat of your brow is free to you, and of the greatest cost to others. Do not give it away cheaply.