Over the last few years, I’ve experienced more than my share of ups and downs. I’ve been on top of the world one moment, only to get kicked in the teeth the next.  I’ve had days when I couldn’t wait to say “hello, universe!” and days when I wanted to crawl under the covers and stay there… forever.

Along the way, I’ve learned some important lessons. And one of them is that no matter what’s happening in my life, I can still choose to be happy.

Okay, let me clarify that. I’m not Pollyanna, and I don’t break into a cheerful song every time I get bad news. When I get smacked down by life, I cry, I yell, and I say some really bad words.

But here’s what I don’t do: I don’t say, “My life stinks,” and allow myself to wallow in my misery. Instead, I pick myself up, dust myself off, say “next,” and decide to be happy.

As Deepak Chopra puts it: “Research has shown that the best way to be happy is to make each day happy.” Notice the word make. The key is to make happiness happen, not to wait passively until the Happiness Fairy taps you with her sparkly wand—because trust me, you may have to wait a long time for her to get around to you!

So… here’s my question for you today: Are you happy?

If you answered “yes,” congratulations! But there’s also a chance that you’re not happy right now—or at least not as happy as you’d like to be. If that’s the case, I’m going to show you how to create happiness in your life, no matter where you are right now.

I know that may sound impossible. But think about it for a minute. We all know people who experience joy nearly every day even though they’re battling huge problems. And we all know people who are unhappy even at the best of times. What does that tell us? That happiness comes from inside, not outside.

Because I think learning to create happiness can change your life, I’m designating July as “Create Happy Month.” Every week, I’m going to share my best tips for putting a smile on your face, no matter what curveballs life is throwing at you. I’ve helped hundreds of my patients get more joy out of life with these tips, and I think they’ll work for you, too.

Right now, for starters, I simply want you to do one little thing: Wrap your mind around the powerful idea that you can create happiness in your life. Once you fully understand this, you’ll already be on the road to doing it.

So every morning this week, when you wake up, say to yourself: “I can create happiness.” Even if you don’t believe it at first, plant the thought in your mind. Over this month, I’ll tell you how to nurture that thought and make it bloom!

Keep Thinking Big & Living Bold!