When you ask people all around the globe the question, “What are you most longing for in your marriage, in your family and in your life?” The not so surprising answer is: Happiness.

People long to feel happy and at ease with life.

I’ve studied the art of happiness, right alongside Richard, for over thirty years. When I look back, one of the things we believed is that happiness is possible every day. That deep belief is what drives us all to the gateway –the entry point of a happy life.

Now, this is not to say, that every day is filled with happiness but when happiness is your expectation, then the chances for reaching that natural good feeling inside is all the more likely.

Lately, I’ve realized that the one thing I’ve always done is to move away from those things that make me feel unhappy and instead move toward my joy.

When you follow your joy—joy grows bigger in every moment.

If you can, first, identify what makes you unhappy and then spend the same amount of time inquiring about what brings you joy—you’ll expose a trail for yourself. A path of joy will emerge that awakens you to more passion and purpose in all aspects of your life.

As you define what brings you joy and notice more deeply what that feels like in big ways—you can begin to look for the smaller ways joy winks at you.

When you find out what feels deeply satisfying even if it’s a simple cup of tea, tarry there a bit longer, and notice the feeling of joy that wells up inside and spend some time nurturing that feeling by placing your attention mindfully there. Joy can be as simple as a deep and fulfilling cup of pure contentment.

Following your joy in small ways will help you see the extraordinary in the ordinary in every day…(One of my favorite teachings in the Don’t Sweat wisdom.)

It’s always the small things that bring us joy that we remember most.

For me, it’s the moments of laughter that are spontaneous, and it’s small hands in mine. Today, I’m feeling the big joy of having all my girls home with me—including the unborn one in my daughters belly. I feel joy at noticing the cloud formations in the sky. I feel joy in writing for you now while it’s a blustering storm outside.

Follow your joy—in small moments of ordinary—and you will be on your way to living your most extraordinary vibrant life.