Your coworker is chipper and cheery. The lady across the street is constantly smiling. The gas station attendant is always in such a good mood.

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What is it that makes happy people so, well, happy? What do they know that we don't? In this world where we are bombarded with sad news on TV, the rising rate of unemployment and an equally high rate of divorce, how do we shield ourselves from all this negativity and stay happy?

It's easier than you think. Happy people don't necessarily have less problems than anyone else. They just handle things differently.

William Arthur Ward said it best - “Happiness is an inside job”. It sure is. True happiness is a state of mind, your mind.

So how then do we get in that positive mindset?

These 7 Tips on What Happy People Do Will Definitely Help You Get There.

1. Wake up smiling.

Now that may sound harder than it actually is but just try it. Lay in bed and smile. It just takes a minute. Happy people are happy to wake up to a brand new day with new opportunities. They start their day with a big smile. Tomorrow morning, before you open your eyes and before your feet touch the floor, smile. You might find that you even end up giggling a bit. What a great way to start the day!

2. Express gratitude throughout the day.

Happy people are truly grateful for every single thing they have. Big or small. Their house, bed, car, job, coffeemaker, clothes, you name it, they are grateful for it. They do not waste precious energy complaining about anything! When you are in a state of gratitude you can only feel happiness. Say thank you continuously. It automatically makes you happy.

3. Get rid of toxic people.

You've heard this one time and time again but have you done it yet? The time vampires, the positive energy suckers, the negative Nellies. Lose them. Quickly. Immediately.

This one is not quite so easy to do and may cause you to feel a tad bit of guilt but trust me when I tell you, you are better off without them and, in time, the guilt passes. **Once you rid yourself of them, it won't be long before you see how happy you've become

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4. Learn to let things roll off your back.

There are many things that are out of our control. Some are stressful, others not so much. Annoying maybe, but stressful? Nope.

How we handle them is the deciding factor on whether or not we're going to be totally irate or just laugh it off. In a hurry to get somewhere and suddenly a train is crossing? Oh well. Not much you can do about that. Turn up the stereo in your car and sing to the top of your lungs! That should ease some tension and make you happy.

5. Do something nice for someone.

Often the people who have the least, give the most. Why? Because it makes them happy. Doing nice things for others will definitely put you in a state of happiness. Bring flowers to a single mother you know. Buy a coffee or lunch for a homeless person. Volunteer at a shelter. Animals or humans, pick one! The possibilities are endless. Think of one act of kindness and go do it.

6. Give compliments freely.

This one is quite possibly one of my favorites. Next time you're standing in line at the bank, coffee shop or wherever, compliment the person in front or behind you. Tell them you “love their shoes” or “that color looks fabulous on you” or “your children are so beautiful”.

The surprised look on their face and then the instant smile that comes with that is always priceless and guaranteed to make anyone happy. If you see something beautiful in someone, tell them! You never know, but it may be the only nice thing they hear all day. Compliment someone today.

7. Be yourself.

Don't pretend to be someone you're not. There is only one you. You are beautiful, unique, awesome and simply amazing. Be you! Love who you are. The people in your life love you for you so don't try to be something or someone else. There is no happiness in that. Happy people are totally happy in their own skin, flaws and all. They don't care. They're just happy to be alive and given another day to enjoy all the great things they have and maybe even make a difference in someone's life.

Being happy isn't any harder to do than being miserable. You get to choose. Choose wisely. Choose yourself, give compliments - it both helps you develop a positive mindset and helps with your sense of self. Do something nice for people and learn to shrug things off. Then again, you should avoid toxic people. It will then be easier to show appreciation for everything good in your life and to wake up smiling and -- happy!

Learn to express grattitude every day using meditation - and make it an unbreakable habit!

What makes you happy?

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