I'm floating on thin air

Someone recently asked me, "Parker, why are you so happy all the time?"

Before I dive into some sort of abbreviated answer, let me preface this with a disclaimer:

I, of course, am not perfectly happy 100 percent of the time.

AND

I don't have solutions for all the world's problems; I'm still trying to find solutions for my own problems.

That said, I am a generally very happy person. There isn't much that can keep my spirits down for very long.

So, I'd like to share a few thoughts on what makes - and keeps - me happy.

• Positive thinking - This is a choice. It's a decision to cultivate a good attitude and maintain a healthy dose of optimism. And if you're thinking, "Well, I'm just a naturally pessimistic person," then that's where you're losing the battle. There is both good and bad in this world. You shouldn't block out either one, but you can make a choice to focus on the good.
• Passion - Laugh hard. Love everyone. Try new things, and savor the experience. Enjoy life for what it is, and enjoy it passionately.
• See people, not objects - A human being is not an island. He/she is Switzerland: landlocked and surrounded by diverse cultures and tongues. When you go to a restaurant, treat the server like a person, not just a waiter. Apply this concept to everyone you meet. Suddenly the world will feel more like a vibrant ocean teeming with diverse aquatic life, rather than a 2-gallon fishbowl.

I believe there are more keys to happiness, but these three are some of the most important.

And the best news is this: Each of these concepts can be readily applied by anyone. They are elements of life solely under your control. You cannot always choose how much money to make, how many friends to have, or what kind of house to live in. But you can control your attitude.