Happiness 101 (previously published as When Likes Aren't Enough): Simple Secrets to Smart Living & Well-Being

by Tim Bono

“As soon as you encounter a red light, immediately stop, smile, and breathe. That’s it. Stop, smile in recognition that this is a tiny opportunity you’ve been presented with to take a few mindful breaths, and then mindfully take a long breath in, and a long breath out. If you’re lucky enough to be at a busy intersection, you’ll get a few complete breaths in. “This strategy is great for those of you, like me, who tend to get frustrated when hitting a red light. Which is so crazy, right? Taking something personally that couldn’t be more impersonal—as if it saw me coming and deliberately decided to change so that I’d be held up. Since learning this technique I find myself much less bothered by traffic lights.”