How does one become happy?

As I write this, I'm aboard a plane headed from Rome to Philadelphia, and I haven't yet changed the time on my watch. I'm still on Italian time. Which is six hours ahead of Philadelphia time. This is a purposeful act. Because when I glance at my watch, it helps remind me of what my true love is doing in Sardinia. It's now 4:30 p.m. in Sardinia, and she's home from teaching school. And resting, I hope. But I know better. She's more likely busy doing something she doesn't wanna do. Washing clothes. Ironing. Preparing for Friday's classes. When really she should be out for a leisurely stroll or reading a book or listening to music. Yes, diverting her mind from the things she feels have to be done. Dutifully. Instead, she needs to indulge herself. In positive ways. Living life the way she really wants to. At this moment. Rather than imagining the need to get to the routine and the boring. She must do the things she wants to do if she had all the free time in the world. No, she can't do them all, I know. But she can set time aside daily to do some of 'em. Maybe one. Maybe two. Things that will revitalize her spirit, her psyche, her emotions. She's read the book, 'The 36-hour day.' To help her when she was an Alzheimer's care-giver. But what she needs is more like a 2-hour day. Of doing exactly what she wants. Actually, for her, even a half-hour would be a good start. Everyone should try it. And ask themselves what it is that they really want out of life. I presume it's happiness. And how does one achieve/attain it? Starting today. --Jim Broede