STEPS TO HAPPINESS

PRESCRIPTION

1. Whenever symptoms arise, contemplate the diverging characteristics of Happiness and Fun. Reach into your self and get to know the difference in experience.
2. Get that Happiness Exists. It's all around you. Happiness doesn't have to be created or reached, just tapped into. It is closer to you than the end of your nose.
3. Accept what is -- for now. Get happy with what you've got. [NB Do not attempt to skip this step, and do not proceed until you're happy]
4. Be very careful what you ask for -- you might get it.
5. Let go your withholds. Breathe! Create the intellectual and emotional space for what you want. Release every demand or limiting expectation of how it should show up. 
6. If at first you don't get what you say you want, don't despair: there may be some preparatory work to be done. Accept the fact that you have a limited view. Be willing to accept something that will later turn out to be better. Trust the wider intelligence at work that knows you, knows what you need, and that's willing to conspire with you. Be flexible about your timetables, expand your availability and transparency to the process, and pour on your love anyway.
7. Let go. Breathe more deeply. 
8. Resume growing. In order for growth to happen, something has to be stretched. Allow the unallowable. Accept the unacceptable. Forgive the unforgivable.

SOME SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF HAPPINESS

• A tendency to engage spontaneously with what is, rather than react to fears of what might-be, uncoloured by the anxieties, guilts and resentments that attach themselves to past experience.
• A marked aura of freedom emanating from an inner knowing that the past is past, the present is present, the future hasn't happened yet, and the three are actually unconnected. [You can go on letting your mind connect them until hell freezes over, but that doesn't change the fact that they have nothing to do with each other] Actually, the past and the future don't even exist, but I don't want to stress you out too much today. But think how much happier you could be without a past to feel guilty about or a future to worry over.
• An unmistakable propensity to enjoy each moment for what it is.
• A willing loss of reliance on the assumption that we can accurately interpret the motives of others.
• A loss of interest in judging the actions of other people.
• A loss of interest in conflict as a way of getting what we want.
• A loss of the ability to worry.
• Frequent and sometimes overwhelming bouts of appreciation and gratitude.
• Contented feelings of connectedness and delight with others, one's self and with nature.
• Frequent bouts of smiling, and growing incidences of loving laughter.
• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others, as well as a growing urge to pay it forward.