~ The Absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge is a major factor in unhappiness.

~ Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.

~ Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions, you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it.

~ Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress.

~ Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune.

~ Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues-love, humor, compassion, and loyalty.

~ Do not expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable.

~ Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Self-centered, egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring happiness.

Source: Duke University Study on Happiness.