How are we...?

How are you...?

...Happy?

...Happy?

Happy.

Well, let me tell you. You are.
You are happy.

There's a story told by Jack Kornfield, an ex-Buddhist monk, of Sounds True. It speaks of what an older monk once told him. "Pretend you are enlightened, and then one day, you won't be able to tell the difference."

Pretend you are happy, and then one day... you won't be able to tell the difference.

Just remember... don't pretend half-heartedly. Pretend like you're a cheerleader that has to perform in front of a crowd of 10,000, there's 5 minutes left in the game and you're team is losing by 20 points. Pretend for your team. Assume the position. And blow, baby, blow.

And then...
remember when this has worked for you before in your life. Remember when you've gone to a party even though you didn't want to and how you had so much fun you were really glad you went. Remember when you've been nice to someone when you were really angry about something they did and how you were delighted in a way that you didn't expect. Remember when you've done something for someone that you decidedly did not want to do, but how it led to a miracle in your life.

Remember that you've already had this experience of pretending whole-heartedly and what miracles it has led to in your experience.

Remember... and then pretend your heart out, taking actions in line with what your heart says.