"Happiness is a habit – cultivate it." ~ Elbert Hubbard
Happiness is one aspiration all people share. No one wants to be sad and depressed.
We've all seen people who are always happy – even amidst agonizing life trials. I'm not saying happy people don't feel grief, sorrow or sadness; they just don't let it overtake their life. The following are 21 things happy people make a habit of doing:
1. Appreciate Life
Be thankful that you woke up alive each morning. Develop a childlike sense of wonder towards life. Focus on the beauty of every living thing. Make the most of each day. Don't take anything for granted. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Surround yourself with happy, positive people who share your values and goals. Friends that have the same ethics as you will encourage you to achieve your dreams. They help you to feel good about yourself. They are there to lend a helping hand when needed.
广交好友
让你的身边充满快乐积极生活的朋友，这样的朋友可以激励你更好地生活。
3. Be Considerate
Accept others for who they are as well as where they are in life. Respect them for who they are. Touch them with a kind and generous spirit. Help when you are able, without trying to change the other person. Try to brighten the day of everyone you come into contact with.
宽容
设身处地为他人着想，试着接受别人的异同点。尊敬他们，用心去交流。
4. Learn Continuously
Keep up to date with the latest news regarding your career and hobbies. Try new and daring things that has sparked your interest – such as dancing, skiing, surfing or sky-diving.
活到老，学到老
关注与自己行业和兴趣相关的最新知识，扩展自己的兴趣。
5. Creative Problem Solving
Don't wallow in self-pity. As soon as you face a challenge get busy finding a solution. Don't let the set backs affect your mood, instead see each new obstacle you face as an opportunity to make a positive change. Learn to trust your gut instincts – it's almost always right.
Some statistics show that 80% of people dislike their jobs! No wonder there's so many unhappy people running around. We spend a great deal of our life working. Choose a career that you enjoy – the extra money of a job you detest isn't worth it. Make time to enjoy your hobbies and pursue special interests.
做自己喜欢的工作
调查表明，很多人为了工作而工作，对自己的事业只是盲目的应付，这是不值得的，永远做适合自己的事。
7. Enjoy Life
Take the time to see the beauty around you. There's more to life than work. Take time to smell the roses, watch a sunset or sunrise with a loved one, take a walk along the seashore, hike in the woods etc. Learn to live in the present moment and cherish it. Don't live in the past or the future.
享受生活
注意观察身边的美，工作不等于生活。记得闻闻身边的玫瑰，和爱人一起去看日升日落。
8. Laugh
Don't take yourself – or life to seriously. You can find humor in just about any situation. Laugh at yourself – no one's perfect. When appropriate laugh and make light of the circumstances. （Naturally there are times that you should be serious as it would be improper to laugh.）
大笑
不要对生活太过严肃。任何事情都有值得你开怀大笑的一面。
9. Forgive
Holding a grudge will hurt no one but you. Forgive others for your own peace of mind. When you make a mistake – own up to it – learn from it – and FORGIVE yourself.
宽恕
怨恨只会让你痛苦不堪，原谅他人，让自己获得内心的宁静。
10. Gratitude
Develop an attitude of gratitude. Count your blessings; All of them – even the things that seem trivial. Be grateful for your home, your work and most importantly your family and friends. Take the time to tell them that you are happy they are in your life.
感谢
无论事情大小，都要记得去感谢，包括你的家人，同事和朋友。
11. Invest in Relationships
Always make sure your loved ones know you love them even in times of conflict. Nurture and grow your relationships with your family and friends by making the time to spend with them. Don't break your promises to them. Be supportive.
真心去爱
对待你真心爱的人，付出自己最真诚的爱，让他们体会到你的爱意。
12. Keep Their Word
Honesty is the best policy. Every action and decision you make should be based on honesty. Be honest with yourself and with your loved ones.
诚实
诚实是最重要的。任何情况下都不要想着去撒谎，去隐瞒。
13. Meditate
Meditation gives your very active brain a rest. When it's rested you will have more energy and function at a higher level. Types of meditation include yoga, hypnosis, relaxation tapes, affirmations, visualization or just sitting in complete silence. Find something you enjoy and make the time to practice daily.
冥想
冥想可以让你疲惫的大脑获得一刻的宁静。更可以帮助发挥地更好。
14. Mind Their Own Business
Concentrate on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family. Don't get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying. Don't get caught up with gossip or name calling. Don't judge. Everyone has a right to live their own life the way they want to – including you.
See the glass as half full. Find the positive side of any given situation. It's there – even though it may be hard to find. Know that everything happens for a reason, even though you may never know what the reason is. Steer clear of negative thoughts. If a negative thought creeps in – replace it with a positive thought.
乐观
即使境况再艰难，也要试着去想想它的好的一面。
16. Love Unconditionally
Accept others for who they are. You don't put limitations on your love. Even though you may not always like the actions of your loved ones – you continue to love them.
无条件地去爱
决定爱一个人的时候，就好好地对他，不要把自己的意志强加给别人，或试图改变对方，因为那就是你爱的人。
17. Persistence
Never give up. Face each new challenge with the attitude that it will bring you one step closer to your goal. You will never fail, as long as you never give up. Focus on what you want, learn the required skills, make a plan to succeed and take action. We are always happiest while pursuing something of value to us.
坚持
永不言弃。每一个挑战都是一个机会，没有人能够阻止你，除了你自己。
18. Be Proactive
Accept what can not be changed. Happy people don't waste energy on circumstances beyond their control. Accept your limitations as a human being. Determine how you can take control by creating the outcome you desire – rather than waiting to respond.
高瞻远瞩
接受改变不了的。对自己控制不了的情况选择放弃，每个人都有自己的局限。
19. Self Care
Take care of your mind, body and health. Get regular medical check ups. Eat healthy and work out. Get plenty of rest. Drink lots of water. Exercise your mind by continually energizing it with interesting and exciting challenges.
关爱自己
好好照顾自己的思想，身体。定期做身体检查，健康饮食。
20. Self Confidence
Don't try to be someone that you're not. After all no one likes a phony. Determine who you are in the inside – your own personal likes and dislikes. Be confident in who you are. Do the best you can and don't second guess yourself.
自信
不要想着去成为别人。遵从自己的喜恶，相信自己。
21. Take Responsibility
Happy people know and understand that they are 100% responsible for their life. They take responsibility for their moods, attitude, thoughts, feelings, actions and words. They are the first to admit when they've made a mistake.
Begin today by taking responsibility for your happiness. Work on developing these habits as you own. The more you incorporate the above habits into your daily lifestyle – the happier you will be.
