Spice up your life

Life is not a dress rehearsal. We have 83,000 seconds per day and we can choose to be happy, depressed or miserable. I choose happy. Here are some tips to bring happiness into your everyday life:
1. Play music.Listen to uplifting music - find a copy of Jimmy Durante's "You gotta start off each day with a smile" - that will make you laugh!
2. Laugh out loudDon't suppress your laughter - make it loud and long.
3. Play with kidsTickle them, play hide and seek - just playing with them will bring you joy. If you don't have your own kids - play with someone else's kids.
4. Cuddle a pet.They give unconditional love and will always come back for more affection.
5. Help someone else.When you are feeling sorry for yourself or sad the best thing you can do is help someone else.
6. Do community or volunteer workIt can be personally very satisfying to assist someone in need.
7. Reflect on flowersBuy yourself some flowers and enjoy the smell and sight of them. My favourites are the pink starburst lilies - they have a wonderful fragrance and last for a week. I like to buy them regularly for my home or put them on my desk.
8. Light fragrant candlesThis will give you something to enjoy - smell is a wonderful sense and we should use it more.
9. Learn to Meditate.Get rid of the negative thoughts and replace them with calm, peaceful thoughts.
10. Buy a Laughter Bag Available from various gift stores these little bags when squeezed giggle - it is contagious and worth every cent. Buy one for your office. I regularly squeezed mine at work and it would make the whole office laugh.
11. Go to a comedy show.See a stand up comedian at your local comedy club.
12. Hire a humorous video or DVD.Someone like Billy Connelly or Bill Cosby. There are some oldies but some goodies that are certain to make your sides split with laughter.
If you are feeling down, choose to be happy. Surround yourself with positive people and try one of these activities.Remember,we live once so live with extreme happiness.