The pursuit of happiness: make the decision to cultivate joy in your life.

Spring is a time of renewal. As the days grow warmer and longer, we're more likely to respond to our more generous impulses. Whether or not one decides to act on such positive thinking is a decision, says the Rev. A.B. Bernard, author of Happiness Is ... Simple Steps to a Life of Joy(Touchstone Faith; $21.95) and founder and CEO of the Brooklyn, New York-based Christian Cultural Center. "Happiness is the way you organize your thinking, which impacts your choices in life," Bernard says.

Although Bernard contends that through discipline and wisdom happiness can be achieved, he stresses that the time it takes to reach this mental state varies from person to person. "Change--and the happiness it brings--is not an event, but rather a process."

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Put the past Make peace

in perspective with the present WHY? Much of what happens The first step in

(or doesn't happen) to becoming happy is

us is directly related to becoming content

our past. with who you are. HOW? Although it may be Make a list of all

difficult, own up to past your strengths and

mistakes and think weaknesses. "We've

about what you all got flaws,

learned. "It's not about shortcomings, and

the person you wish mistakes that we've

you were," Bernard made," Bernard

says. "It's the person says. "However, the

who you know you key is developing

really are." Once you our strengths while

unearth the lesson managing our

learned, you've given weaknesses." And if

value to the mistake. you're having trou-

Move beyond the ble figuring out all

mistake and focus on your skills, ask

the lesson, which you someone who knows

can then apply to the you well enough to

present and future. point them out.

Start designing

the future WHY? Being happy with your

present circumstances

does not mean you

don't desire a better

tomorrow. Project that

contentment into

the future. HOW? Visualize those ideal

relationships or that

ideal job and life you

want to have. "A vision

is a statement of your

future," says Bernard,

who recommends

writing down your

vision as well as a plan

to get there and a way

to measure your

progress. For example,

list attainable goals that

will move you toward

your vision, month by

month. "The more

clearly articulated that

vision," he says, "the

stronger its influence in

your life."