How do we sustain a state of happiness when events in our lives are constantly changing? As we go through life, we are bound to make mistakes. Mistakes are effective teachers. Those who learn from their mistakes will in all probability develop wisdom. Mistakes are usually not as important as what can be learned from them. Effective living is not measured as much by what we accomplish as by what we overcome in order to accomplish it. There is a certain satisfaction in stretching out of our comfort zone to attain a new level of accomplishment. The more we do this, the more likely we are to sustain our happiness.

Encouragement can change a person's life. If we can not help worrying, we are in an abnormal condition. We have lost self-control...it is a mild type of mental derangement. We must attack our bad habit of worrying as we would a disease. It is definitely something to be overcome, an infirmity that we are to heal. We should use words of encouragement in our daily self-talk to stay in the happy zone.

"Be good and you will be happy," is a very old piece of advice. Mrs. Mary A. Livermore now proposes to reverse it..."Be happy and you will be good." If unhappiness is a bad habit, you are to turn about by sheer force of will and practice cheerfulness.

"Happiness is a thing to be practiced like a violin." Not work, but worry, fretfulness, friction--these are our foes in America. We should not go here and there showing off our bad manners or a gloomy face. Who has a right to rob other people of their happiness? "Do not," says Emerson, "hang a dismal picture on your wall; and do not deal with sables and glooms in your conversation." Place a picture of your family in your favorite place or serenity amidst the chaos of everyday life to keep you grounded.

Happiness makes happiness. If you are not at the moment cheerful, then look, speak, act, as if you were. "You know I had no money, I had nothing to give but myself," said a woman who had great sorrows to bear, but who bore them cheerfully. "I formed a resolution never to sadden any one else with my troubles. I have laughed and told jokes when I could have wept. I have always smiled in the face of every misfortune. I have tried never to let any one go from my presence without a happy word or a bright thought to carry away. And happiness makes happiness. I myself am happier than I should have been had I sat down and bemoaned my fate."

Create a habit of happy thoughts. Our trouble is that we do not do things half way. After our habits are well set, about all we can do is to sit by and observe which way we are going. Regret it as we may, we have become helpless, bound by the mighty cable of habit; twisted from tiny threads which we thought were absolutely within our control. Yet a habit of happy thought would transform our life into harmony and beauty. Is not the will almost omnipotent to determine habits before they become all-powerful?

What contributes more to health or happiness than a vigorous will? A habit of directing a firm and steady will upon those things which tend to produce harmony of thought will bring happiness and contentment; the will, rightly drilled --and divinely guided--can drive out all discordant thoughts, and usher in the reign of perpetual harmony. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of forming a habit of cheerfulness early in life. The serene optimist is one whose mind has dwelt so long upon the sunny side of life that he has acquired a habit of cheerfulness.

To sustain happiness we should:

• Talk happiness. The world is sad enough without our woes.

• Talk faith. The world is better off without our uttered ignorance and morbid doubt. If you have faith in God, or man, or self, say so; if not, push back upon the shelf of silence all your thoughts till faith shall come; No one will grieve because your lips are dumb.

• Talk health. The dreary, never-changing tale of mortal maladies is worn and stale. You cannot charm, or interest, or please, by harping on that minor chord, disease. Say you are well, or all is well with you. And God shall hear your words and make them true.

No single moment in your day should define who you are or determine whether you are a success or failure. The depth and quality of your character transcends any single experience. Accept the challenges that come your way, not as obstacles or failures but as opportunities to grow happy as a person and thus, change the course of your life.