In my mind, the Ortega Happiness Method is the best way to begin your quest to be happier. The Ortega Happiness Method is made up of four steps:

1. Value Happiness
2. Smile
3. Choose Your Thoughts
4. Laugh at Will

The most important step is the first; you must value happiness. Valuing happiness is important because, even if you do not consistently perform steps 2, 3, or 4, by strongly valuing happiness you will eventually discover methods that will help you to produce the happiness that you desire.

Smiling frequently is a very powerful method that you can use to improve you mood. An added benefit is that other people who see you smiling will interact with you as if you are a happy person.

Choosing your thoughts is the foundation of being happy. You might be able to smile frequently, laugh at will, and even value happiness, but if you cannot think happy thoughts, you will not be truly happy. Thinking happy thoughts is the litmus test of true happiness. Reducing the number of your automatic negative thoughts and replacing them with happy thoughts is the foundational strategy of being happier. 

Laughing at will is an extremely powerful method; it helps in many ways. Laughing can help you re-frame life’s negative events; it forces you to ask the question, “What is funny about this”? The answer to this question will help you change your perspective.  

Following the above steps are the essential keys to being happier. 

___________________________________________________

Some Additional ThinkHappyThoughts Articles

Experimental Cheerfulness Article

Happiness and Courage Article

Why We Choose Unhappiness Article

Happiness and Choices

Happiness Related Products

Happy Apparel and Hats

ThinkHappyThoughts Amazon Bookstore

Subscribe

Subscribe to ThinkHappyThoughts Blog

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2007 at 5:15 am and is filed under Happiness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.