5 Ways to Be Happier Overnight

The fact is, there are as many roads to Rome as there are people. Every human being is so different and that can't be said enough. However, if you were to ask around, we are all after the same thing: Happiness.

We all want it desperately and we will stop at nothing if we think it will bring fulfillment.

That's heavy. Lest I lose you here, I've gleaned some authentic, realistic food for thought. It's nothing more than habits that EVERYONE can adopt that requires no more than split-second decisions to start practicing. It's your choice. As cliche as it sounds, happiness is just a breath away.

1. Thankfulness. Give thanks every morning for whatever speck of blessing you can see.  As you look, your eyes will see more goodness every day.

2. Forgiveness. Bitterness and anger, even when seemingly justified, suffocate the spirit like a bag over the head. Decide to forgive and move on. Forgiveness, much like gratitude, is a process. You make the choice to live in the light of these virtues and that is just the beginning. You must choose this existence every day. Some days it will be easier than others, but you will never find happiness otherwise.  

3. Say No. Understand that saying no to others is not just your right, but many times is in the best interest of yourself and your family. It can be very difficult to turn others down without feeling that you're letting them down, particularly for women. It is often to your own detriment that you over-commit, over-schedule, and over-extend yourself. Try it. Start saying no when you feel you should and see that the world still turns, your friends still love you, and the unworthy folks move on down the line.

4. Say Yes! In case you missed this, there is no gold within your comfort zone. Step outside your normal bounds of complacency and try something new. Push a little bit harder at the weights or on your run and light a fire for yourself or for someone who is watching you. Every little step counts. Try new food, meet a new friend, eat or shop at a different restaurant or grocery store. Change your story from lost to adventure. This is where the magic is and its the only way to live.

5. Shut Up and Slow Down. In this digital age people talk a lot. Much of it has moved online, but I'm starting to think that all of the aimless and self-obsessed chatter is actually causing global warming, pollution, and the holes in the ozone. You just wouldn't believe what you can hear when you stop adding your verbal refuse to the world. Give yourself permission to let things alone to happen as they may and admit to your own contribution to the world's misery. You might just find a little peace for yourself (and probably those around you). And as you experience the serenity of your own thoughts, walk instead of run, drive in the right lane once in a while, and yield to the poor soul who didn't get the memo and is speeding his way into therapy.

To recap: Gratitude is in the eyes of the beholder; when you start to look for goodness, only then will you find it. Forgiveness is a daily choice and brings intellectual, emotional, and spiritual light with it. Say NO to the requests that pull you from the path you need to be on. One-hundred bucks says that you are the person that you need to say no to most often. Nothing but mental, physical, and spiritual stagnation exists inside your comfort zone. Get comfortable with discomfort. Let your yes be a "Hell, Yes" and your no be a "Hell, no." Listen with all ears, release the iPhone, turn off the noise, and hold back criticism, opinion, gossip, and correction (especially in judgement of self). Slow your steps and your breath, and learn to experience all the little things you've been missing. Give yourself permission to feel what you are feeling.