Sometimes it is difficult to feel happy when you are in the midst of crisis, grief, stress, or a cold, dark January. Here is a tip to give you a momentary glimpse into happier times and hopefully change your mood.
Make yourself a Happy Box. This can be a shoe box, a small plastic crate, 
or anything that can hold several things to put a smile on your face. If you are feeling creative, you can decorate it with happy quotes, smiley faces, or flowers; whatever strikes your fancy. Place items in it that will remind you of happy feelings from times past, or anything that will get you grinning. Here are some ideas of things you may want to include:
- photographs of family and friends
- vacation souvenirs
- cartoons or comics that have made you laugh
- silly toys to play with like those wooden paddles with the rubber ball attached by an elastic string
- a CD with happy songs you like
- fragrance that reminds you of better times
- a "woopie cushion"
- an emergency piece of chocolate
- a tiara or funny hat
I'm sure you can come up with other things that are meaningful to you. Once your Happy Box is started you can add mementos from the happy experiences you have as time passes. Keep your box in a convenient place to pull out in moments when you need a lift. A few minutes exploring and playing with the contents can ease your pain or change your mood.
