Meg Worden, RYT

When Voltaire stated "I've decided to be happy because it's good for my health" he possessed a unique lucidity. It was the radical concept that suffering is optional.

  That happiness is so often regarded as a stroke of luck bestowed upon a few attractive trust fund recipients is pure fallacy. Happiness is something you work hard for, a byproduct of diligence and unwavering intention. There are sacrifices and rough spots on the journey but the common trait of the happy is perseverance. They just don't give up.

  Practice reaps great joy and once it has begun to absorb and radiate into your life, it is not taken for granted, but deliberately maintained through mindful choices and self-discipline. Happiness is not lurking under the sofa cushions of the indolent; it is the well-deserved bonus check of the devoted.

  The deeply satisfying state of being truly happy is well worth any effort. Changing old thought patterns can take time, but they will eventually give way to earnest efforts and the world that once sat heavy on your shoulders is now the bedrock, which is supporting you.

  Here are eight things you can do now to instantly start shifting your disposition.

  Accept the fact that sometimes things will be difficult and unpleasant. This too shall pass.

  Count your blessings every day. Enjoying what you already have increases overall satisfaction. Cultivate "Infinite Gratitude."

  Spend time with your loved ones. Empty your mind of worries and really listen to what they have to say. Give your children plenty of your undivided attention.

  Remember that we are not human "Do-ings," we are human "Be-ings." Take some time to do nothing and listen to the silence.

  Choose your battles. Most outcomes will be the same whether or not you are worrying about them. Besides, less stress allows you to be more proactive and you may find a creative solution in all of that liberated mind space!

  Make healthy, sustainable choices. Wake up each day feeling fresh and alive, knowing that you are responsible for yourself and your decisions. Be empowered by your ability to choose the state of the body, community and planet you inhabit.

  Connect with nature. Breathe fresh air, stop and enjoy the view. So many of our happiest moments happen outdoors and we are blessed to live amidst a glorious array of seasonal beauty. It's just outside your door!

  Do something. If there is something about your life or the state of the world that you just cannot stop fretting over, make a change. No effort is too small and a little kindness goes a long way. You can always make a difference.