Finding Your Joy, Too

For people who seem to be born happy, do you ever wonder what their secret is?

Happy people don't wait for something to happen before they allow themselves to enjoy life. When you learn to live in the moment, the world seems a lot less stressful. People who are happy go where life takes them instead of obsessing over where they could be or should be. They know the journey will bring them new opportunities.

You can train yourself to be more optimistic, too! Learn to find the positive by asking a new set of questions when something goes wrong. Instead of "Why me?" ask "What can I learn from this?" and "How might this be a gift?" Shifting your inner dialogue helps you live with positive expectations.

Hanging out with unhappy people can deplete your positive energy. But you can try reacting to them in a more positive way. Rather than commiserating as a pal gripes about her job, ask what career she'd love to pursue. And what about a bad relationship? Remind yourself that the decision to make that change is often the hardest part-and that you'll be happier on the other side.