~ by   Robert Louis Stevenson

There is no duty we so much underrate
as the duty of being happy.
 

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 gladness in life.
The trick is to make the laughter
outweigh the tears.

3. Don't take yourself too seriously.
Don't think that somehow you should be protected
from misfortune that befalls other people.

4. You can't please everybody.
Don't let criticism worry you.

5. Don't let your neighbor set your standards.
Be yourself.

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

7. Never borrow trouble.
Imaginary things are harder
to bear than real ones.

8. Since hate poisons the soul,
do not cherish jealousy, enmity, 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 time brooding
over sorrows or mistakes.
Don'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.

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