How to Be Happy: Someone to Love, Something to Do, Something to Look Forward To

Sometimes numbers matter.

For my 150th post, I’ve decided to share about a much more important number—30. That’s how many years my wife Lisa and I have been married (thanks for putting up with me this long, buddy).

To celebrate, we decided to buy my father-in-law’s 2007 Pontiac G6 convertible in Michigan and drive it home to Arizona. We lived happily without a vehicle for the last three-and-a-half years, but the time felt right to own one again. Lisa has always wanted a convertible, and this little red beauty is a fun symbol of a great thirty-year run.

We turned the road trip into a book tour for Lisa’s upcoming novel, Clarice the Brave. It’s a middle-grade seafaring adventure about sibling mice who get separated and vow to find each other. This is the best book she’s ever written, and as she’s a many-times-over NY Times bestselling author of 26 books, that’s saying something. Along with stopping at numerous books stores, we hit national parks and other landmarks along with way.

This anniversary trip reminds me of an old quote by Alexander Chalmers about three things humans need to be happy: someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to. While not an exhaustive list, I think that holds true. It certainly did in this case. The trip celebrated our love for each other. Planning it together gave us both something meaningful to do. And the adventure was something we really looked forward to. Not a bad recipe for happiness.

Could you use a happiness boost? Look at the three parts of the recipe. Do you have someone to love? This could be a good friend, close family member, even a pet. Do you have something meaningful to do? It might be your career, a hobby you’re passionate about or helping others. Do you have something to look forward to? Maybe it’s a get away or spending time with a loved one or the start or completion of an important goal. Take inventory. Be honest with what you find. Do something to jumpstart one of those areas today. If you do, your happiness will begin to rise, and you’ll take another step toward Becoming Yourself.