1. They don't leave happiness to chance
The happiest people do not leave it to chance. They have clear personal standards and take responsibility for their own lives.
2. Optimism
The happiest people around choose to see the world that way. Their glass is always half full, never half empty. They look for the good–and they find it!
3. Someone loves them
What else is there to say?
4. Being made to feel capable
Everyone needs to feel (a) loveable, and (b) capable. If people respect what we are trying to do and acknowledge its value, showing gratitude, it's great! We need responsibilities, real authority, and acknowledgement of what we do.
5. Love for life
There is something wonderful about life - whether in babies, animals, or in the kind of people who make life easier for others. Let's build and support it, not destroy it.
6. Trust
Isn't it great when you are surrounded by people you can really trust? Wouldn't it be great if everyone was honest with themselves and with each-other?
7. Independent desires
Some people are never satisfied with what they have. They always want what someone else has. But the really happy people I know do not judge themselves by what others have.
8. A day off
Everyone likes holidays, and if you're busy, the best kind of holiday is the peaceful kind where you recharge your batteries. A real change from the rat race, a time to rest, read, enjoy time with your family. Everyone deserves at least one day like this each week.
9. Not being judgmental
Some people are always putting others down. But the happiest people seek to praise rather than run down others.
10. Purpose
Really happy people know what they want - they have a clear vision!
11. Hard work
There is nothing like the satisfaction of a hard day's work doing something worthwhile.
12. Friends
Having a network of people who care for you makes a big difference too.
13. Financial security
Nothing causes arguments more than money worries. Wouldn't it be great if you didn't have to worry about such things? One answer is for everyone to have lots of money. A more realistic option is some kind of organised "safety net" that you can really trust.
14. Shared goals
This is particularly the case if you live with someone. It makes a big difference to your happiness to know that you are pulling in the same direction!
15. Love and respect from your children
If you're a parent you know how you feel when your child does something nice. If you're old and living on your own, you know it's more than just nice - it's a life saver.
16. Intimacy
I know that if I ask people "what makes you happy," somebody is eventually going to say "sex!" - but think about it. Are prostitutes the happiest people on earth? What we really want is physical intimacy that means something. Somebody who wants to be close to us forever. A loving "forever" commitment (e.g. the ideal marriage) makes a huge impact on happiness.
17. Making a real difference
We need to know that what we do matters. There is not greater feeling than to know that what you have done has made other people happy, or has made the world a better place.
18. Freedom
It is so important to feel that you have real choices - that you are not trapped. ?
19. Knowing your priorities are right
I think most people would agree with most of the things on this page. But who makes them real priorities? And who can get the priorities right? The assurance that you are getting it about right gives great confidence and happiness.
20. Learning
Speaking personally, I get tremendous happiness from learning useful new things. Maybe this is a side effect of what information can offer - who knows? It works for me!
21. Have some good news
This always cheers people up!
22. Security
Wouldn't it be great if you could trust everyone? If you knew that nobody was going to take advantage of you, and there was no crime?
23. The "golden rule"
Do to others how you would like them to do to you. It seems a pretty good rule for happiness to me.
24. Sharing
The happiest people I know are also the most generous.
25. Avoiding drugs
Nothing take away freedom (and money, and life, and self-respect) like excessive use of alcohol and other drugs. And moderate use is not necessary to being happy (though it is sometimes used as a crutch), so why go down that road at all?
26. Maximum respect for your body
People who treat themselves and others with the most respect tend to find people who treat them the same. If you place a high price on yourself, you are more likely to find someone who will pay it.
27. Do it!
I once read a report into how much quality time parents spend with their children. Just a few minutes a week, on average. The report concluded, "most people say that families are important to them, but they don't live that way."
28. Making others feel good (no gossip!)
Ever read the book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People?" It is as true today as it has ever been. Find a way to say everything in a genuinely kind and complimentary way, and everyone is happy.
29. Do good
As Abraham Lincoln said, "when I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad."
30. Meeting spiritual needs
Many people have a deep need to know why they are here, what is after death, etc. They find this information, and other spiritual experiences, deeply satisfying.
31. Empathy
If you are down, or need help, and other people make the effort to really understand you, it really makes a difference.
32. Health
Physically healthy people claim they get far more out of life. This means more than just stopping smoking, but also eating healthy food, getting enough sleep, keeping clean, working hard, etc. They say it is worth it!
33. Beauty
There is something breathtaking in natural forms. Mountains, stars, flowers, animals, the human body. Beautiful.
34. Being part of something wonderful
Have you ever been part of a really good choir? Or on a winning team at an important event? Then you will know what I mean.
35. Having a new temple built nearby
Every new temple is an answer to prayer, an opportunity for more good experiences, and a fulfilment of prophecy.
36. Not believing things that are not true
Of course, the important thing is to identify the truth!
37. Living the gospel
Amen to that!
38. Going out to work
"my wife has a much harder job!"
39. Knowing my Heavenly Father loves me.
Needs no real explanation, does it?
40. Doing LOCAL missionary work.
"When I thought I was going into all the world, I found the Lord wanted me right here."
41. God makes me happy.
"The fact that he loves me so much that he would make the blood of his son absolve my sins makes me happy."
42. The next one is up to you. What makes YOU happy?