Steve's Guide To Happiness

1. Always Carry A Book- You never know when you'll get a flat tire, have to wait for a bus, or need a prop to avoid conversation. Having a book will always allow you to entertain yourself, to escape, to be interested. A book can be a shield, calm in a storm, or a warm friend. When you're reading a book you have a life that you're living parallel to your own. If yours isn't going well, you're a page turn away from anything: adventure, romance, the plush heat of the Amazon, the biting breeze of the Himalayas.

2. Have A Hobby- Have something outside of work and your social life that you're interested in. It can be anything from riding motorcycles to playing chess. Have something that excites you, something you want to spend time with. Something that brings you joy simply by doing it.

3. Treat Yourself- Every once in a while indulge yourself. Get yourself something you really want. That dress that's a little too expensive, court side seats to the Bulls game, dessert. You deserve what you want, give yourself a little encouragement.

4. Have A Passion- Have something that you love to do. Something that you could do and talk about endlessly. In a perfect world this would be your job but the worlds not perfect. If it's not your job FIND what it is. Find that thing that brings you the most energy, the most fire, the most desire to DO. Find that thing that keeps you up at night thinking. Find that thing that once you finish doing it, all you want to do is begin again. For my dad it's the Law, for me it's Improv. What is it for you?

5. Friends and Family- Surround yourself with people that inspire and challenge you. People that make you laugh and bring out the best in you. People that want nothing less than the absolute best for you. People that care about you no matter what. People that you could talk for hours with or companionably share a silence. People that hug you hello.

6. Love- Love as much as you can. Love your friends and family. Love the sunny days and the cloudy nights. Love your anger and your sadness. Love the dappled forest and the sprawling concrete jungle. Love mysterious strangers and the people you see everyday. Most of all, fall in love. Kiss, embrace, and give as much of yourself as you can. It'll make you rich and alive. Who knows, you may find someone you can't live without...

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." -Groucho Marx