50 ways to make yourself happier.

Here are 50 simple ways in which you can add to your happiness:

1. Accept that life is not perfect.
2. Don't take yourself too seriously.
3. Don't take others too seriously.
4. Appreciate yourself.
5. Have meaningful goals. They give you purpose.
6. Get a pet.
7. Cultivate friendships. To have friends, be a friend.
8. Be supportive and seek support when needed.
9. Don't confuse materialism with success.
10. Know that money does not buy happiness.
11. Enjoy what you have.
12. Simplify your life.
13. Be more creative.
14. Be yourself.
15. Be more spontaneous.
16. Spend more time with happy people.
17. Keep a happiness journal for writing about the things that give you joy.
18. Find what you love to do and make it your life's work.
19. Be willing to learn and experience new things.
20. Be flexible.
21. Be open-minded.
22. Enjoy simple pleasures.
23. Practice gratitude.
24. Think improvement, not perfection.
25. When things aren't going well; know that it will pass.
26. Know that it's not what happens to you, but how you perceive it that's important.
27. Learn to live in and savor the moment.
28. Exercise regularly.
29. Get enough sleep.
30. Maintain a healthy diet.
31. Enjoy good conversation.
32. Have a hobby.
33. Take time for fun.
34. Practice moderation.
35. Cultivate an appreciation for the arts.
36. Read inspiring material.
37. Help others.
38. Have faith.
39. As Richard Carlson has said - Don't sweat the small stuff.
40. Smile for no particular reason.
41. Be agreeable.
42. Love yourself.
43. Listen to good music.
44. Watch less TV.
45. Give it your best.
46. Pamper yourself.
47. Practice mindfulness.
48. As Bessie Anderson Stanley wrote in her little verse Success: "Live well, love much and laugh often."
49. Be happy now. Don't make it conditional.
50. Share your happiness with others.

Borrowed from http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/be-happier.html

NED # 9

It is never too late to send thank-you cards. I finally got my Christmas thank-yous written yesterday. I came across this idea to send a random person a letter via snail-mail telling them how great they were. I love getting mail that isn't a bill or advertisement so I figured someone else would too. I wrote a simple little note, picked a name randomly from the phone book and sent it on its little way with the NED card. Hopefully, they will not think they have a stalker.
PAY IT FORWARD,
NED

NED # 8

I have many friends who have babies. I am always amazed at the crazy prices they have to pay for their little ones. I had a few high dollar value coupons for baby formula, so for my NED number 8, I taped them to the containers at the store. It should save them $10 on a necessity!
PAY IT FORWARD!

NED #7

There is nothing like popcorn with your movie. For my never expected deed (NED) number 7 I taped a package of microwave popcorn to the Redbox that I normally rent movies from. Hope they enjoy their popcorn!
PAY IT FORWARD!
NED

NED # Six

One of the things that gets me through working full-time and going to school full-time is good old fashioned Mt. Dew. I really should just have an iv put in and take it intravenously. Today my NED was to pay for someone else's caffeine fix. I left the money in the machine and taped my card to the machine.
PAY IT FORWARD,
NED

NED #5

My school made the decision to go paperless about a year ago. What this really means is, the same amount of paper will be used but the school is no longer providing it. As an education major the amount of paper I use is CRAZY! I always carry a ream of paper to class but sometimes I forget. Today, I had extra paper so I put it in the printer and left my NED card. Now if someone forgets their paper they will have a little less stress in their day.

PAY IT FORWARD!

NED

NED # 4

I love the Sunday paper. I have recently became addicted to coupons. Every Sunday, I pick up a paper and begin comparing prices and matching coupons. By no means am I an extreme couponer but I try to live as cheap as possible since I am in school. I replaced my EBAY purse habit with the trill of getting toilet paper for 6 cents a roll. Today, I shared my love of the Sunday paper by giving the cashier enough money to buy a paper for the next person who asked for it. I asked that they give them my NED card.
PAY IT FORWARD,
NED

NED # Three

The weather has been AMAZING this winter! I am not a fan of the cold or the snow but I HATE stepping in dog poo worse than a snow bank! I have been taking my dog on several walks with the weather being so warm and UNJANUARY like. I have stepped in my fair share of the nasty stuff. I carry a bag to clean up after my pooch, but I know several people where I live do not. Today, I cleaned up every doggie deposit I came across during my walk. Obviously, I did not drop NED cards along the way but I did post one in an apartment building along the way.
PAY IT FORWARD,
NED

NED # Two

Don't you hate taking your shopping cart back to that little stall thingy after unloading your groceries? I do. It's not like it takes a long time but at 11:30PM it is cold and I just want to ditch the cart and go home. Today, I unloaded my cart and saw another person doing the same. As I was taking my cart back, I offered to take their cart as well. As I took their cart, I handed them the NED card. They acted as if I was trying to convert them to some cult, but they took it and hopefully they will PAY IT FORWARD!

NED # One

I live in a very shady apartment complex. I have one amazing neighbor, who looks out for me. His wife stays home while he works. Every holiday, I get them a card and bake them something. The first time I did it she actually cried. I know that they do not have very much money, nor do I. The one thing that I HATE spending money on is laundry!!! I am always short one or two quarters. Right now, there are only 4 people sharing our washer and dryer in the complex. My neighbors always do their laundry on Thursday mornings, so I got up before she started, and placed the $2.75 in the quarter slots with my NED card. Even if she is not the one to receive the NED (never expected deed), someone will at least smile as the do the dreaded task of laundry.

Pay It Forward,
NED

PAY IT FORWARD

My world is your world, one that we share and we have the power to make it what it is. Every day, I am reminded of the difficulties that people face. We are bombarded by negativity through Facebook, the news, text messages, and work. My new year’s resolution is to no longer be a part of what is bringing the world down. I challenge you to do the same. In order to do this I have decided to do a never expected deed (NED) everyday in 2012. Some may be big; some may be very small. I plan to take the things I would want done for me and do them for others. I have started this blog to track the Pay it Forward effect. I have made cards that I will place around when I do a “NED”. On that card, I have placed this blog address, I just ask that you pay it forward and tell everyone what you did. Your positive acts can REALLY change the world you live in. Even if it is just carrying a bag for someone up the stairs, or complimenting someone who is feeling down. What if everyone did one random act of kindness every day?????????? Take part, let’s make this one person’s New Year’s Resolution be a step towards everyone’s positive outlook in life. I have also been challenged, and I do love a good challenge. If I do 365 good deeds this year, someone who believes in me will donate $730 to the charity of my choice. I cannot wait to see what this year brings. Remember, the ones you would least like to do things for are probably the ones who need the deeds the most.

Love to ALL,

NED