Author: Christine Elias

More rules for being happy:

1. Keep a clean house. You’ll feel better, trust me.
2. Clean laundry doesn’t fold itself but it may remain in the basket for a day or two. The world won’t end.
3. It’s always a good day to buy a pair of cute running shoes.
4. There is no shame in soaking in JOHNSON’S® Soothing Vapor Baby Bath every evening.
5. Take a book in the tub, too.
6. Go to New York once a year. See some shows. Have a few drinks. Walk around. You’ll come back feeling great.
7. Visit quirky places. Next on my list is Milwaukee.
8. Mott’s Clamato is perhaps the most tasty beverage on earth; spicy, tangy and refreshing! Drink it but leave some for me.
9. Retinol. Retinol. Retinol. And Jevederm when the time comes.
10. Capri pants are your friends over 40.
11. Help people with bundle buggies and baby strollers on the streetcar but feel free to give loud cellphone-talkers the cut-eye.
12. Laugh at yourself. Laugh with others. Sometimes laugh at others but not too often or karma will bite you in the ass.
13. Chat with the shopkeepers and caretakers you see everyday. Tell them your name and learn theirs.
14. Smile at babies.

A few days ago a friend asked me if I was really as happy as I seemed.

I am — I think.

But not because was born this way — although I do think genetics have something to do with it —  but rather because I choose to be happy.

I also like to tell people I care about that I am fond of them.

These two traits are related. We all know — especially as we grow older — that life is short. But I know it can be damn short.

Both my mother and my sister died too young. If all continues to go well, I won’t. My mother was only ten years older than I am now when she died — my sister didn’t live to see thirty. Yeah, that’s sad. It’s sad when anyone goes too soon.

But it is more sad — at least to me — to be here and to suffer — or worse, to make others suffer with you. Life is not always fun, and heaven knows I can be a bitch, but I’d rather be happy and share that happiness.

My 5 rules:

1. Tell people you are fond of how you feel. Yeah, it’s weird but so what? Who doesn’t want to know you care about them.
2. Pick a job that you enjoy. Chose to work with people you like — or at least can stand. If you are miserable, look for a new job.
3. Be open to warm teasing — it goes both ways and it feels nice. If it doesn’t: stop.
4. Wear what makes you happy. Pick a job that allows that. (Suits are needed sometimes and yeah I have a few but if I had to wear one everyday … see #2.)
5. Gravy — and all other delights — are to be enjoyed in moderation.