I'm a big supporter of not settling for contentment when genuine happiness is attainable. It's kind of what I base my life on. Don't settle. Be happy. In actuality, the grass isn't always greener. If you're like me, and I'm sure all too many of you are, do yourself a favour and realize this.

Stefan Sagmeister is bringing his happy to Toronto. I had the opportunity to attend the opening night gala of his exhibition "The Happy Show" in early January. Here, a brief look into how I interpreted the exhibit, and the top six things I learned about all things cheerful, sunny, and full of delight.

The other day, over a lunch-time pint, someone asked me to name the number-one thing I absolutely need to be happy. Now that's a heavy question. What's the one thing I need to be happy? Above all else, I need to be myself. It's simple logic. How can you be happy if you're not being yourself?

So, I'm facing down my 40th birthday. It's two weeks away and, surprisingly, my mid-life crisis is holding off. For now. I am not enjoying the lines appearing around my eyes or the various sagging and loosening bits and pieces that will remain nameless. Clearly, I have to get OK with aging. Here are my top tips for aging well.

I completed my master's degree in applied positive psychology, which is the scientific study of psychological well-being, happiness and human flourishing. While things like practicing gratitude and performing random acts of kindness were more obvious paths to happiness, there were some very surprising things I learned that transformed the way I thought and lived my life.

Why are some people happy while others seem miserable? This isn't an easy answer since there are many factors that determine our happiness, but the good news is that anyone can train themselves for happiness by consciously choosing it. And when you're happier, it has a positive effect on your health and well-being. Here are six habits to foster everyday happiness: