If you’re like me, every once in a while you slip into a random bad mood. One of those you know better kind of funks that leaves you complaining about nothing to anyone who will listen. How do you get out of it? How do you find instant happiness?

After a recent trip to Lululemon, I walked out with one of their always thoughtfully designed, reusable shopping bags. It had the yogic philosophy of Asteya artfully displayed on both sides.

It’s such a simple, yet powerful idea – one that I believe to be a Universal truth. And while this yogic philosophy generally refers to the ideas of non-stealing and non-coveting, it got me thinking. If we already have what we need within us, then we must certainly have the answer to kicking a bad mood and creating our own instant happiness.

I rummaged through my spiritual tool box to see if I had anything that could fix a bad mood, pronto. Gratitude is a sure-fire mood booster. And daydreaming always makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Throw in a little introspection and what do you have?

The 555 ~ my handy formula for instant happiness!

Here’s how it works…

First of all you must know, believe, and remember that the path to happiness is always in your own hands.

Now close your eyes, take 5 slow, deep breaths, and daydream about the things that make you happiest. Visualize them all floating around in a huge bubble.

Now, write down 5 things that you are thankful for – things that fill your heart with gratitude – and imagine putting them inside your huge, happy bubble.

Place you hands in prayer to your heart center. Take 5 more slow, deep breaths with you eyes closed. Visualize yourself dancing and floating around with all those happy things that fill you with gratitude. Now smile and say to each of them, “Thank you!”

And there it is – the 555. The key to instant happiness that doesn’t come in a bottle or a book or another person. And the best part of all? You already have everything you need to do it.

Here’s to being handy and happy!