Today's advice might be the most important one you will ever need. You can be rich or poor, but without happiness, you will have a bad life. So how can we become happier?
Here are some tips that I feel are helpful. Others are welcome to add to it.
1.) Happiness really comes from inside and is not dependent on outside conditions. Have you ever been at a joyful birthday party, but for whatever reason felt sad inside? Likewise, you may see something sad, but see the bigger picture happening that might mean it will lead to something good, so you may still feel happy about it.
No matter what situation you are in, you can choose to see the good in just about anything and can experience happiness. Some people can get a lot of joy just by looking out their window and seeing a majestic butterfly. Others might get it from learning something new and inspiring. It is all up to the person. Find out what makes you joyful and pursue it. Don't take things for granted.
2.) Doing meaningful things that improve the lives of others is the best way to achieve happiness. Long-term happiness does not depend on money. You really cannot buy true happiness. Never stop giving and you will be a happier person. This rule applies in both good times and bad. In bad times, it may be even more important to give extra. It may not happen immediately, but you will be rewarded many times over later with the joy that comes from helping others.
There is a reason why billionaires, like Bill Gates work hard to give away their money. They get a lot of happiness back. However, there are a lot of ways to help others that don't require money.
3.) Take some time each day to feel joy without doing anything. Even for just a minute. Close your eyes and just breathe in and out. Concentrate on nothing but your breathing. If done right, you should feel very peaceful with yourself and the world. This will bring joy. Joy is a natural state for us if we just let it in, but it takes some effort to find it.
4.) Have big goals. I mean HUGE goals. The hardships in life that will always happen will not seem as bad when you have a giant goal to hold your hand through it all. If you don't have a big goal, even little problems will make you feel sad. Always look at problems and mistakes as the best way to learn and grow. They should be seen as learning opportunities.
5.) Realize that being sad is okay and part of life. You cannot really appreciate what you already have if you don't have sadness once in a while as a comparison. It would be like always eating tons of sugar for every meal. You will eventually lose your appreciation for desserts after a while.
6.) Pretend you are happy and you will be happy. Okay, so you tried everything and still feel blah. Just pretend and see what happens. Put on a fake smile. Skip around, or do a funny crazy dance (maybe when nobody is watching 
). Tell yourself that you are happy. You may feel silly doing it, but that silliness will eventually lead to real happiness, or at least get you moving in the right direction.
