Category: HACK 201-301

When you feel passionate about a hobby, whether it is painting murals on the walls of children’s rooms, sculpting bowls from driftwood, or making cigar box shrines, tell your friends and other hobby enthusiasts about your latest project. Word gets around. You may attract people who want to see your projects and perhaps even purchase your services or products. Post photos of your creations on social net- working sites. You never know what wonderful opportunities may come your way when you put aside false modesty and instead promote yourself and your passion for your particular hobby. 

You can save someone’s life through donation of your vital organs after you’ve passed on by signing up with the organ registry in your state and by letting the Department of Motor Vehicles know your wishes the next time you renew your license. Registering to be an organ donor is easy and can make a huge difference for an individual fighting for his or her life as well as that person’s family. Live happier knowing that at your life’s end, the organs you no longer need can give someone else a fighting chance to live. 

If you love to read, spend some time reading to children. You can read books to kids anywhere: at home, at a local library, at an infant and toddler daycare center, at a nursery school, in a doctor’s or dentist’s waiting room, in a hospital waiting room, or even at kids’ organizations like the Cub Scouts or Brownies. Just be sure that your book is appropriate for the age group. A funny book will inspire laughter, and you’ll likely laugh too—the happy laughter of children is infectious. 

When you meet a neighbor while, say, you’re out walking your dog, say hello. Invite her to go grab some coffee. Get to know her. That means finding out what is important to her, what her hobbies are, what kind of work she does. Find out what mutual interests you share. From that beginning, you can build friendships with your neighbors. 

Perfection isn’t possible. But many people pursue perfectionism with such vigor that it can actually be damaging. It’s time to readjust that thinking. According to the 60 percent rule, if your friendships, work life, and relationships are 60 percent “perfect,” then you are doing something right. Keep up the good work! Pushing for perfectionism will cause you unneeded stress and anxiety—instead, embrace the imperfect and feel happier. 

There is a certain kind of happiness that comes from finding people who under- stand you and your goals and who support and accept you. Go out there and find your tribe! Look around your community, check local Meetup groups, investigate Facebook groups, visit spiritual centers, join discussion groups . . . you can find communal possibilities for almost any area of interest. If you’ve had issues with addiction, 12-step groups made up of people who have been where you’ve been and who know the struggles you face have been proven to be pivotal to eventually overcoming addiction. The wonderful thing is that, based on your interests and needs, you can have more than one tribe. Find some like-minded people who truly “get” you, and you’ll feel the happiness of acceptance.

The best way to feel better and deal with pain is to have a sense of humor about life and yourself—when you are in the midst of a crisis, finding something funny can help. Not that you are expected to crack jokes in the middle of a crisis, but finding a bit of humor amidst the pain will bring you some relief. And if you can make others laugh a bit, too, all the better. 

Feel good about what you’ve accomplished in life or the special talents you possess. Feeling good will help you find your true colors! Be proud of your uniqueness—don’t try to bury it to fit in with a crowd. Suppressing what is natural and good about yourself will only lead to unhappiness. Be proud of the individual you are. 

Don’t just reach out for help or support when things are in crisis—also reach out when you are working toward a goal and need help. Ask a friend or coworker to share their experience. This in turn will make the person you are asking feel valued, plus you will gain some of their knowledge and wisdom. Use that to help make your dream come true. 

Often people pin their hopes on external conditions that are out of their control, or they underestimate their power to control their own happiness. Never forget the power of the mind to generate happiness! The mind can make you feel miserable even if you’re living in paradise, or the mind can make you feel happy even in the midst of adversity. Make your mind your best friend rather than your enemy, and happiness will follow.