During  Happiness Happens Month we’re posting lots of blogs including many from guest bloggers.

Today we’re happy to share a post from Susan Mallery, a New York Times Best Selling Author.

rub-my-tummy

 

It’s no secret to anyone who has read my books that I love animals. Cece the therapy dog in the Fool’s Gold romances is based on my own tiny but intrepid toy poodle Nikki. Nikki is six pounds of unadulterated joy, so when I was invited to share my insights on happiness for Happiness Happens Month, she came immediately to mind.

1. Happiness is contagious.

There’s nothing quite as heartwarming as a dog who’s happy to see you. When my husband and I come home after going out to dinner, Nikki’s joy is so big, she can’t contain it. It comes out in wiggles and yips as she circles our feet and races between us to greet us both, trembling with the thrill of our return. Her happiness is contagious – I catch it every time.

It spreads between humans, too. When you’re happy, express it, and it will be reflected back to you. (You may not want to express it in wiggles and yips, but hey – who am I to judge?) Smile. Fist-bump a total stranger. Post something positive on Facebook. Chat with the check-out clerk. When you express your happiness freely, the people on the receiving end get a nice little mood boost of their own, and they spread it to others.

 

2. Play matters.

It doesn’t matter what Nikki’s doing. If I say “ball,” she’s ready to play, day or night. Same thing if I take fast pitty-pat steps toward her. Or if I look her in the eyes for a beat longer than normal. The point is, she is on constant alert for the opportunity to play.

Doesn’t that seem like an excellent way to live?

Don’t allow your life to become about nothing more than a series of chores and obligations. Figure out what you enjoy doing, then make it a priority at least once a week. Ride your bike, read a book, draw dirty pictures – whatever it is that makes you smile, do that. And do it regularly.

 

3. Things won’t make you happy. People will.

Nikki seldom plays with the ball by herself. She can get to it any time, but the ball on its own is boring. Her joy comes in the interaction. She wants me to throw the ball. She wants me to chase her. She wants me to ask her to give it back. (She doesn’t so much want to give it back.)

A great way to celebrate Happiness Happens Month would be to call a friend you haven’t seen in a while and make plans to get together.

 

4. Happiness can be found in the quiet moments.

We have a ritual in our house. Every evening after the dishes are done, we retire to the living room. We humans put up our feet, and Nikki curls her tiny body up next to me. As she settles in, she releases a sigh of contentment. That sigh echoes in my heart. Happiness.

 

Meet Susan Mallery

 

Susan Mallery and Nikki

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has sold more than 25 million books worldwide – and every last one of them has a happy ending! Her latest happy ending is in Three Little Words, available now wherever books and ebooks are sold.

three-little-words-web

Susan Mallery recommends that you celebrate Happiness Happens Month by getting together with a friend you haven’t seen for a while. Tell us the first name of the friend you plan to call, and share something about that friend that makes you smile!

 

Ony Yours

 

To win a copy of Only Yours, the Fool’s Gold romance that introduced Cece the therapy dog, post a comment below.

If you’ve read Susan’s books which is a favorite?

 

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