Passing by the local park on my way home last weekend, I had the sudden urge to stop in my tracks. The sound that came from the park was so magical, so pure and honest and gentle and it just made me want to stay there, listening to it forever.It was a little girl. She had to be about four years old, and she was running around in circles with a balloon in her hand. That was it. Just a balloon, and already her day-and everyone else’s around her-was instantly better. It’s amazing what a genuinely happy heart can do.And as I stood there basking in the afterglow of her laughter, it made me wonder why we could never be like that. Whatever happened to being sincerely happy? Does being an adult immediately mean we lose all joy in life?I refuse to believe that.Anybody can be happy-it’s all a matter of our outlook in life. And if we slowly try to see our situations in a different way, we, too, can be like that giggling child in the park.Happy people wake up early.Make it a habit to wake up early. It might take some getting used to, especially if you’re not a morning person, but once you get the hang of it, you’re going to realize how wonderful it feels. Waking up a few hours earlier than your regular call time won’t make you feel rushed and hurried. It gives you the luxury of taking a deep breath first thing in the morning and enjoying the chirping of the birds and the refreshing breeze. It lets you bask in the beauty of the sunrise and slowly go about your routines. This way, you can appreciate your warm bath, the aroma of your coffee, and even the morning commute. Think of it this way-waking up early gives you the gift of time, and it provides you with a couple of hours to spare before you have to start your day. Who wouldn’t be happier this way?Happy people look for the silver lining.Instead of focusing on all the frustrating things happening in your life, why not look at them from a different angle? If you’ve been waiting forever at the doctor’s clinic and the line is a mile long, take the opportunity to catch up on your reading. You wouldn’t want to just leave your books withering away on your nightstand, would you? If you’ve got a mountain of paperwork you need to finish, look at it as building your portfolio. Everything you’re doing for work right now can be used to build your experience and beef up your resume. This will keep you motivated to put in 100% of your effort in what you do. And if you’re stuck in a major traffic jam with no way out, be grateful for the chance to be alone with your thoughts. Here’s that peace and quiet you’ve been asking for weeks; let your mind wander. Relax. Meditate. Indulge in some “me time”. If you have a companion on the road, then that’s even better. What are long car rides for if not for bonding with your loved one?Happy people know their place in society.The pressures of society and keeping up with everyone’s expectations but your own can weigh heavily on your soul. If other people around you are bringing you down, ignore them-you don’t need toxic people mucking up your life. Do you honestly want to live your life for someone else and end up an old and miserable fool? Remember that you can’t please everyone, so the best thing you can do is just be yourself. When you finally find your own place in society, you will be happier for it-and the world should be, too!Happy people accept heartbreak.There’s nothing more shattering to the self than a broken heart. While the cuts may take time to heal, there’s nothing that time cannot mend. Happy people know and accept that pain and heart ache are part of life. It’s healthy to wallow in self-pity for a while, but the next step is to get up and learn to love yourself. There’s really no point in dwelling in your pain forever. Acknowledge the hurt and let it strengthen you. Then, when the wounds have become nothing more than old scars, move on. Remember-scarred people are beautiful!Happy people make mistakes.Nobody is perfect. Living your life trying to be flawless will not only drain you of all your energy, but it will also leave you feeling unfulfilled for the rest of your short days on earth. Cut yourself some slack and leave room for mistakes. Don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s okay to slip up every once in a while. Mistakes teach us how to strive and be better the next time around, and happy people know that. After all, it took a chance mistake to invent the Post-It and everyone’s favorite potato chips, so you never really know until you screw up!