GUEST BLOGGER: Jessica Raaum explains the concept of our personal threat bucket.

Because our society puts such value on “being strong," you might feel the need to act like your pain doesn’t exist, but It does.

GUEST BLOGGER: “The most profound lessons can come from the most horrific situations. For without war, we could not learn and appreciate peace. From abuse, we would not learn and truly appreciate kindness.”

When you're happy, it's easy to stay happy or become more happy. When you're upset, it's easy to stay upset or get more upset. We can probably all think of at least a dozen examples of how true this is…

Any strategy is better than wallowing in misfortune. Focusing on what went wrong or what you don't have control over disempowers you. It shuts you down. Switch your focus to what you have immediate control over, and see how you open you up.

I know you can relate to some part of this story. Pride, ego made me more afraid of embarrassment than death. What led me to lock myself in a bathroom stall rather than ask for help.

You choose which belief to foster. I advocate that you hold beliefs that will serve your joy.

The key is not to rid the world of messages that may negatively impact your well-being. They key is to understand that your success and joy starts with your sense of empowerment. Protect your sense of empowerment and build on it.

By being happier, I discovered the worldly benefits of being happier: money and power! Seriously, though, the discovery was accidental, but the results are very real.

The answer to making permanent changes to your happiness level doesn't lie in your career, how hot your girlfriend is or how perky your tatas are. Relying on external "prizes" to feed your internal happiness level is dangerous.

When I feel discontent and find myself projecting a sense of well-being on an object, person or life circumstance, I stop. I identify what is behind my longing and try to provide that emotion for myself.