"Happiness is a habit - cultivate it." ~ Elbert Hubbard

Happiness is one aspiration all people share. No one wants to be sad and depressed.

We've all seen people who are always happy - even amidst agonizing life trials. I'm not saying happy people don't feel grief, sorrow or sadness; they just don't let it overtake their life. The following are 21 things happy people make a habit of doing:

1. Appreciate Life

Be thankful that you woke up alive each morning. Develop a childlike sense of wonder towards life. Focus on the beauty of every living thing. Make the most of each day. Don't take anything for granted. Don't sweat the small stuff.

2. Choose Friends Wisely

Surround yourself with happy, positive people who share your values and goals. Friends that have the same ethics as you will encourage you to achieve your dreams. They help you to feel good about yourself. They are there to lend a helping hand when needed.

3. Be Considerate

Accept others for who they are as well as where they are in life. Respect them for who they are. Touch them with a kind and generous spirit. Help when you are able, without trying to change the other person. Try to brighten the day of everyone you come into contact with.

4. Learn Continuously

Keep up to date with the latest news regarding your career and hobbies. Try new and daring things that has sparked your interest - such as dancing, skiing, surfing or sky-diving.

5. Creative Problem Solving

Don't wallow in self-pity. As soon as you face a challenge get busy finding a solution. Don't let the set backs affect your mood, instead see each new obstacle you face as an opportunity to make a positive change. Learn to trust your gut instincts - it's almost always right.

6. Do What They Love

Some statistics show that 80% of people dislike their jobs! No wonder there's so many unhappy people running around. We spend a great deal of our life working. Choose a career that you enjoy - the extra money of a job you detest isn't worth it. Make time to enjoy your hobbies and pursue special interests.

7. Enjoy Life

Take the time to see the beauty around you. There's more to life than work. Take time to smell the roses, watch a sunset or sunrise with a loved one, take a walk along the seashore, hike in the woods etc. Learn to live in the present moment and cherish it. Don't live in the past or the future.

8. Laugh

Don't take yourself - or life to seriously. You can find humor in just about any situation. Laugh at yourself - no one's perfect. When appropriate laugh and make light of the circumstances. (Naturally there are times that you should be serious as it would be improper to laugh.)

9. Forgive

Holding a grudge will hurt no one but you. Forgive others for your own peace of mind. When you make a mistake - own up to it - learn from it - and FORGIVE yourself.

10. Gratitude

Develop an attitude of gratitude. Count your blessings; All of them - even the things that seem trivial. Be grateful for your home, your work and most importantly your family and friends. Take the time to tell them that you are happy they are in your life.

11. Invest in Relationships

Always make sure your loved ones know you love them even in times of conflict. Nurture and grow your relationships with your family and friends by making the time to spend with them. Don't break your promises to them. Be supportive.

12. Keep Their Word

Honesty is the best policy. Every action and decision you make should be based on honesty. Be honest with yourself and with your loved ones.

13. Meditate

Meditation gives your very active brain a rest. When it's rested you will have more energy and function at a higher level. Types of meditation include yoga, hypnosis, relaxation tapes, affirmations, visualization or just sitting in complete silence. Find something you enjoy and make the time to practice daily.

14. Mind Their Own Business

Concentrate on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family. Don't get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying. Don't get caught up with gossip or name calling. Don't judge. Everyone has a right to live their own life the way they want to - including you.

15. Optimism

See the glass as half full. Find the positive side of any given situation. It's there - even though it may be hard to find. Know that everything happens for a reason, even though you may never know what the reason is. Steer clear of negative thoughts. If a negative thought creeps in - replace it with a positive thought.

16. Love Unconditionally

Accept others for who they are. You don't put limitations on your love. Even though you may not always like the actions of your loved ones - you continue to love them.

17. Persistence

Never give up. Face each new challenge with the attitude that it will bring you one step closer to your goal. You will never fail, as long as you never give up. Focus on what you want, learn the required skills, make a plan to succeed and take action. We are always happiest while pursuing something of value to us.

18. Be Proactive

Accept what can not be changed. Happy people don't waste energy on circumstances beyond their control. Accept your limitations as a human being. Determine how you can take control by creating the outcome you desire - rather than waiting to respond.

19. Self Care

Take care of your mind, body and health. Get regular medical check ups. Eat healthy and work out. Get plenty of rest. Drink lots of water. Exercise your mind by continually energizing it with interesting and exciting challenges.

20. Self Confidence

Don't try to be someone that you're not. After all no one likes a phony. Determine who you are in the inside - your own personal likes and dislikes. Be confident in who you are. Do the best you can and don't second guess yourself.

21. Take Responsibility

Happy people know and understand that they are 100% responsible for their life. They take responsibility for their moods, attitude, thoughts, feelings, actions and words. They are the first to admit when they've made a mistake.

Begin today by taking responsibility for your happiness. Work on developing these habits as you own. The more you incorporate the above habits into your daily lifestyle - the happier you will be.

Most of all: BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.

幸福是种习惯，去培养它～艾伯特哈博得

幸福是所有人的愿望。没有人想悲伤，沮丧。我们也会看到有人即使身处痛苦的生活考验之中也总是保持幸福。我不是说幸福的人就不会感到悲伤，悲痛或悲哀；他们只是不想让之影响生活。下面列举幸福的人常有的21种习惯。

1. 感激生活

对你每天早晨一觉醒来还活着表示感谢。培养孩子般的对生活的好奇心。把注意力放到每件美好积极的事情上。每一天大部分时间都有所为。不要任何事情都想当然。不要再小事上面投入太多。

2. 明智地选择朋友

积极的人能分享你的价值观和目标，在你身边时为你带来快乐。和你有相同道德观的朋友会鼓励你实现你的梦想。他们会帮你发现自身的优点。他们会在你需要帮助时伸出手来。

3.做一个体贴的人

在生活中要学会接受他人，不论他们是谁来自何方，同时也要尊重他人。用平和慷慨的态度和人相处。力所能及地提供帮助，而不要试图改变他人。试着让和你接触的每个人都心情愉快。

4. 不断学习

坚持了解和事业及爱好相关的最新时事。尝试新鲜和刺激的事情来激发你的兴趣-例如跳舞，滑雪，冲浪或跳伞。

5. 培养解决问题的能力

不要沉浸子啊自怜自艾之中。只要面临挑战就马上想办法解决。不要让挫折影响你的情绪，反而要把每一个面临的新的障碍看成是带来积极转变的机会。学会相信自己的直觉-它大部分时候总是对的

6. 做喜欢做的事

一些统计数据表明80%的人不喜欢自己的工作。所以到处都有不快乐的人也就不足为奇了。我们生活中大部分时间都在工作。选择你喜欢的职业-为了多赚点钱去做讨厌的工作并不划算。花点时间享受你的爱好并培养自己特殊的兴趣。

7. 享受生活

话时间来欣赏身边美好的事物。对于生活有比工作更重要的事情。花点时间闻闻玫瑰的芳香，和爱人一起看日升日落，在海边漫步，在丛林中散布等等。学会活在当下并且珍惜。不要活在过去或将来。

8. 学会去笑不要对自己或者生活太严肃。你会发现幽默无处不在。嘲笑自己也无所谓-没有人是完美的。适当的笑声会让环境变得轻松。（自然在不适合大笑的场合，你就要保持严肃）。

9. 宽容

心存怨恨只会伤害你自己而非别人。为了自己平和的心态而学会原谅他人。当你自己犯了错误-承认它，从它当中汲取教训-原谅自己。
10. 感激

培养一种态度叫做感激。所有的一切即便是小事也需要你的祝福。对你的家，你的工作和你最重要的家人，朋友心存感激。找时间告诉他们你的生活因为有他们而幸福。

11. 情感投资

即使和你爱的人产生矛盾，也要让他们知道你是爱着他们的。花点时间和家人及朋友在一起自然相处。对他们要信守承诺。支持他们。

12. 遵守承诺

诚实是最好的守则。你的一言一行都要建立在诚实的基础上。对你自己和你爱的人诚实。

13. 冥想

冥想会让你活跃的大脑放松。当它轻松的时候，你会获得更多的活力并且获得更高效率。冥想的种类包括瑜伽，催眠，音乐放松,自我肯定，畅想或凝神静坐。去发现那些你感兴趣事并花点时间每天练习。

14. 做自己的事

专注于创造自己想要的生活方式。关心你自己及家人。不要太在意其他人说什么，做什么。不为流言蜚语，无理谩骂所困扰。不要妄加评判。每个人都有权利以自己的方式过自己想要的生活-其中也包括你。

15. 保持乐观

杯子装一半就好了。要学会看到现有环境积极的一面。即使很难发现-它们也客观存在。要知道任何事情的产生都有原因，即使你也许永远都不知道原因是什么。明确地引导负面思想。如果负面思想仍然逐渐产生-用积极的思想代替它。

16. 无条件地去爱

学会接受他人。不要为爱加上限制。即使你爱的人也会有让你不满意的举止-你也要继续对他们的爱。

17. 坚持

做到永不放弃。面对每一个新的挑战，要怀有它会使你朝目标更近一步的态度。你只要不放弃，就永远不会输。把注意力放到你想做的事情上，学一些必要的技能，为成功制定计划并付诸实践。当我们收获对自己有意义的东西后就会感到幸福。

18. 做积极的人

接受无法改变的事情。幸福哦对人呢不会在不能掌控的事情上浪费精力。接受人无完人的现实。

19. 关心自己

关心自己的思想，身体和健康。做定期的医疗检查。吃健康的食品并进行锻炼。保证充足的休息。喝大量的水。通过不断的有趣和兴奋的挑战来锻炼你的心智使它充满活力。

20. 保持自信

不要试着成为你不会成为的那种人。毕竟没有人喜欢假的东西。想想你内心到底是什麽样的-你有自己的是非喜好。对自己是怎样的人保持自信。做最好的自己而不要猜测自己。

21. 担负责任

幸福的人知道并了解他们为自己的生活担负全部的责任。他们为自己的情绪，态度，想法，感受，行为和言辞担负责任。当他们犯了错误他们会是第一个承认错误的人。

今天从为了自己的幸福来担负责任而开始。努力培养这些属于你自己的习惯。你在日常生活中培养越多上述的习惯，你就会越来越幸福。
最重要的是：做一个真正的自己。