Hopefully we don't have many regrets in our lives, but if we do, we can find ways to turn those regrets into gifts; encouraging us to pursue what we've always wanted, nurture lost relationships, and change our futures to avoid further remorse. It may require some creative effort, but a life free from regret is a happy life indeed. 

While grabbing for "The Brass Ring" is a great metaphor for going after our biggest dreams in life, it's important to remember that when we focus solely on the prize, we can miss the beauty and magic of the carousel ride along the way. We also need to realize that there is no "One Brass Ring" that makes everything fall into place as promised - the real brass ring is a balance of everything that brings us fulfillment and joy. 

We all know that envy can be a destructive and dangerous emotion. However, what if we took the chance to use envy as a springboard for making our dreams come true? Or if we recognized when we feel jealous of someone, it's because we were programmed to automatically covet what they have, even if it's something that we don't actually want. Join me as I describe how I recently learned to use a tiny spark of envy as a tool for choosing happiness. 

2022 was a challenging year for me and for so many other people. While I'm not usually a fan of looking back, I think it can be important and helpful to acknowledge the difficult things we've been through and celebrate our triumpant victories over them. Disappointment, grief, and pain are all a part of life, and how we navigate the traumatic events in our lives (that are usually out of our control), can play a big part in how we choose happiness, or whatever comes closest to it. 

The holidays can be a super stressful time of year, so here are some ideas for putting aside the worry and choosing instead to fully enjoy the special moments that the holidays can bring. Now's the time to try some new activities that could turn into fun traditions, to embrace letting go of obligations, and to focus on real connection instead of outward trappings. The holidays can be a magical time, so give yourself permission to choose your own happiness first, and then spread that joy to others. 

In our current culture of TikTok and trying to attract followers and social media likes, there is an alarming trend toward kids wanting to be famous as their only career goal. Celebrity and fame are held up as important things to aspire to, but we have to remember that a person's fame is entirely dependent upon what other people think of them. Fame itself has no substance, and just because someone is an "influencer" today, does not mean that they will have any kind of a meaningful lasting legacy in the future. Fame does not equal quality, fame does not equal success, and fame most definitely does not equal happiness. 

Before the pandemic, I think we underestimated the importance of connecting with our fellow human beings. And I mean really connecting - more than just rudimentary small talk or on social media or through texting. Humans are a tribal people and a social species by nature, and the massive disconnect among us is causing both mental and physical problems on a large scale throughout every demographic worldwide. Here are some thoughts on how to connect with one another and why it is vitally important to do so. 

I am a big fan of making tangible representations of our goals and dreams. These seem to be out of fashion these days, but I believe that the act of creating something tactile can be a powerful first step in making our dreams a reality. While positive thinking is great, it's no substitute for positive action. When we can visualize our goals as specifically as possible, it shows us they are achievable and honors our desires in an encouraging and inspiring way.  

When someone says something unkind to us, we have to remember that it has nothing to do with us, even though the person spewing the vitriol may intend for it to be hurtful. We always have a choice as to whether or not we allow someone else's rudeness, shame, or anger to become our own. We do not have to give unhappy people the satisfaction of being brought down to their level of misery by taking what they say as a personal attack. Ever. 

To stay safe when driving, walking or riding a bike, we have to keep our eyes looking forward, toward where we are going. The same goes for our thoughts: if we keep our eyes fixed on our difficult past, or all of the reasons why something won't work, or on all of the negatives of a situation, it is impossible to move ahead with any kind of optimism or momentum. When we consciously focus on what brings us joy, our minds will inevitably follow, and that is a vital decision we can make to choose happiness for ourselves, both now and in the future.