The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

"Your questions show that you are thinking, my friend. I
appreciate this. Once you are up, there are many things you can
do. The fundamental principle to keep in mind is the importance of
starting your day off well. As I've suggested, the thoughts you
think and the actions you take in the first ten minutes after you
wake up have a very marked effect on the rest of your day."
"Seriously?"
"Absolutely. Think positive thoughts. Give a prayer of thanks
for all you have. Work on your gratitude list. Listen to some great
music. Watch the sun come up, or perhaps go for a quick walk in
natural surroundings if you feel up to it. The sages would actually
make themselves laugh whether they felt like it or not, just to get
the 'happiness juices' flowing early in the morning."
"Julian, I am trying very hard to keep my cup empty — and I
think you will agree that I've done pretty well for a novice. But
that really sounds odd, even for a band of monks living high in the
Himalayas."
"But it is not. Take a guess how many times the average four-
year-old laughs in a day."
"Who knows?"
"I do, three hundred. Now guess how many times the average
adult in our society laughs in the course of a day."
"Fifty?" I tried.
"Try fifteen," Julian said, smiling in satisfaction. "You see my
point? Laughing is medicine for the soul. Even if you don't feel like
it, look in the mirror and laugh for a couple of minutes. You can't
help but feel fantastic. William James said, 'We don't laugh
because we are happy. We are happy because we laugh.' So start
your day on a delightful footing. Laugh, play and give thanks for
all you have. Every day will be an exquisitely rewarding one."