TWELVE STEPS TO A HAPPIER NEW YEAR…

NO MATTERS WHEN YOU START

These words of advice ‘How to be Happy’ were written by Robert Louis Stevenson more than 100 years ago, but they still apply today.

1. Make up your mind to be happy; learn to find pleasure in simple things

2. Make the best of your circumstances; no one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with the gladness of life. The trick, make laughter outweigh the tears.

3. Don’t take yourself too seriously; don’t think that somehow you should be protected form misfortunes that befall others.

4. You can’t please everybody; don’t let criticism hurt you

5. Don’t let your neighbours set your standards, be yourself.

6. Do the things you enjoy doing, but always stay out of debt.

7. Don’t borrow trouble; imaginary things are harder to bear than actual ones.

8. Since hate poisons the soul, don’t cherish enmities or grudges; avoid people who make you unhappy.

9. Have many interests; if you can’t travel, read about new places

10. Don’t hold post mortems. Don’t spend your life brooding over sorrows or mistakesDon’t be one who never gets over things.

11. Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.

12. Keep busy at something; a busy person never has time to be unhappy.