It's getting cold outside, but you should still try to get out in the sun for a few minutes each day. And taking a walk outside to burn off some of your excess holiday calories is a great way to do that. It's good for your health too. Did you ever wonder why the sun makes you feel good? It's because the sun actually triggers an increase in the "feel-good" chemicals in your brain (serotonin). Serotonin helps control sleep patterns, lift your mood, and even increase your sex drive.

I've been toying with happiness lately, actually all my life, I guess. Perhaps we all search for that blue bird of happiness, hoping happiness will settle in our spirit mystically. But as someone who struggles with depression, and I don't mean simple, everyday blues, I sometimes go on journeys into self, screaming for answers, whispering, and humming too. I think half of me is content more than half of the time, but the other half must be whipped into bliss.

Last Saturday I woke up early in the morning from a dream where I'd been crying. The last remnant of the dream that came wafting through before I woke up was, "Stop watching CNN."

There is a certain kind of person that leans towards happiness. I admire that kind of person. Some religions and/or spiritual paths seem to be pretty sure that happiness comes from within and that it is within your control. Frankly, this blows my mind.