“Don’t worry. Be happy.” The title of the 1988 song by Bobby McFerrin reminds us to relax and enjoy life. Follow the link and watch the video. It will make you feel good … and be happy. But what exactly does it mean to be happy?

We may all have different definitions of happy, and that should be expected. Meanwhile, if you are asked to think of a happy person, someone will likely come to mind. So what is it that makes that person your definition of happy? For me, it comes down to five traits. See if you agree.

1. Happy people smile from within. They don’t just flash their pearly whites when a camera is near, and they keep that same smile when others are present or when they walk away. McFerrin wrote, “When you worry, your face will frown, and that will bring everybody down.” Happy people don’t want to bring others down.

2. Happy people find something that gives them peace. Prayer. Meditation. Nature. Music. They seem to seek out and find those things that make them take a deep breath and block out much of the negativity in the world.

3. Happy people avoid addictive behaviors, or at least avoid having too much of — or an obsession with — them. Alcohol. Drugs. Gambling. Sex. Happy people seem to be able to balance or avoid these. They show care and concern for those who struggle with addictions, but they don’t allow them to rain on their parade.

4. Happy people avoid gossiping. We most all fall prey to it at some point, but the happiest of people recognize that each of us has our faults, and gossiping about others’ problems doesn’t help. Happy people also tend to avoid social media, national news, political divisions and other pitfalls of negativity that most of us can easily fall prey to.

5. Happy people know that being happy takes work. Have you noticed that people who have suffered some of life’s worst tragedies are often the happiest people? They have every reason to be angry about what life has tossed their way, but they instead seem to be even more capable of finding the joys in life. As McFerrin wrote, “In your life, expect some trouble. When you worry, you make it double.”

I know I need to work to develop all five of these traits, and there is no better time to start than right now. Will you join me?

Have a happy Thursday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com

Iowa Cubs Sept. 28: Iowa 4 Toledo 2

MLB Sept. 28: Tigers 2 Royals 1, Cubs 4 Phillies 2, Twins 8 White Sox 4, Brewers 5 Cardinals 1 ... SCORES

Your Clear Mortgage forecast from Jason Parkin

Mild weather continues for the foreseeable future in your outlook. Highs will warm back to the 70s by Friday.

For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Jason at parkin.mortgage

BUSINESS PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Good people are doing good things every day in your community. They truly are people who are making a difference, and we will recognize 22 business leaders in Des Moines and the surrounding area for their efforts and accomplishments in an upcoming issue of CITYVIEW’s Business Journal.

Nominate your boss, your co-worker, your vendor or yourself — anyone who you feel has made a positive impact on the business community in 2022.

CITYVIEW announced its 2022 Best Of Des Moines readers' choices Feb.1. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!

Best Local Theatrical Venue
1. Des Moines Community Playhouse
2. Des Moines Civic Center
3. Tallgrass Theatre

VOTE NOW FOR 2023!

Biking His Way to Better Health

Stone hopes to inspire others with weight loss journey.

By Becky Kolosik

If you see Gary Stone riding the streets of Indianola on his recumbent bike, you’d never know that he used to top the scales at nearly 400 pounds.

With a wonderful family and their retirement years ahead of them, Gary and his wife had much to look forward to after moving to Indianola in 2018. However, with several major medical issues, including a heart bypass 12 years ago, diabetes, a prosthetic knee and arthritis in every major joint, Gary had reached a turning point.

“Weight has always been an issue for me from a young age,” he says. “A few years ago, I decided it was time to get healthy. It was clear my days were numbered unless I started to make some real changes.”

... Read More In the September issue of INDIANOLA Living magazine.

Happy Birthday to these celebrities: Kevin Durant, Halsey, Zachary Levi, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ian McShane, Erika Eleniak, Calvin Johnson

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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