“Words really program our emotions and the way we think about things,�?says Maryann Troiani, Psy.D., psychologist and coauthor of Spontaneous Optimism: Proven Strategies for Health, Prosperity & Happiness. “Negative words sap our enthusiasm, but repeating inspirational words to yourself can instantly boost your mood and motivate you.�?Make these words your own and let them uplift you every week.

BEGIN
Take charge of your life by beginning something you’ve always wanted to do, like going back to college or cleaning out a closet that’s been driving you crazy. If your goal seems overwhelming, start small. Clean one shelf or take one class. “By daring to begin the life you’ve always wanted, you become energized,�?says Mari Tankenoff, L.P. and CEO of MindFitness, Inc., a counseling and consulting firm in Minneapolis.

IMAGINE
Your imagination has no bound-aries. As children we pretend, but as we grow up we gradually lose our appreciation for daydreaming. “Every so often, I let my imagination run wild,�?says Vicki Inman of West Point, New York. “By thinking about a fantasy vacation or new career, I visualize what I can accomplish. I think that dreaming about something is the first step toward achieving it.�?/P>

LAUGH
“Laughter is a direct route to the soul. It broadens your perspective, keeps you healthy, and makes an unbearable situation easier to deal with,�?says Joel Goodman, Ed.D., director of The Humor Project, Inc. in Saratoga Springs, New York. Learn a few jokes to tell your kids, hang up your favorite cartoons or call an old friend and relive a funny moment you’ve shared.

BELIEVE
Tell yourself you will succeed at whatever you’re doing at the moment. Troiani suggests setting your mind to predict success. “Convince yourself good things will happen today and they will. If you tell yourself you can’t possibly achieve your goals, you won’t,�?she says.

SEEK
It’s risky to say you don’t know something, but finding your way is half the lesson. Allow yourself to grow by exposing your vulnerability and insecurity. Skip the safe chitchat and take a chance in conversations. Travel someplace new. Don’t live strictly inside your comfort zone. Don’t play it safe.

PLAY
As adults, we can always find something that needs to be done at work or around the house and we forget how to have fun. Every week Pat Stoler of Bloomington, Minnesota, makes a conscious effort to take time off—whether it’s to talk to her daughter, build a sandcastle or take a walk. Afterward she is refreshed and able to think more clearly, she says.

TRUST
Analyze the ways you make your decisions. “I have learned to trust myself and go forward when I’ve made a decision, rather than second-guessing myself,�?says Alicia McCollum of Ypsilanti, Michigan. “I’ve realized that being paralyzed by indecision is worse than making the wrong decision. You can’t grow if you don’t trust your inner voice.�?/P>

LISTEN
Many times when we listen, we’re distracted or preoccupied by trying to defend ourselves instead of hearing what is said. Try listening to the other person’s point of view first, and she’ll be more likely to pay attention to yours.

CREATE
In a world of accelerating change, creativity maintains balance in our lives. You don’t have to be a poet or a painter to exercise your creative muscles. “Even if it’s taking a new route to work, listening to a different kind of music, or brushing your teeth with your other hand, the more you use your creativity, the more it develops,�?says Amy Malkoff, a musician and graphic designer in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

CONNECT
“Sometimes we yearn for something but don’t even know what we’re missing,�?says Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., psychiatrist and author of Connect. “Simply put, it’s that we need one another.�?Relationships are what pull us through the hard times and make the good times meaningful, so nurture the connections that uplift you. Have a family breakfast if dinner isn’t possible, have lunch with a friend or play with your pet.

TOUCH
In our fast-paced society, we keep each other at arm’s length with technology, the limits of our time and a seemingly endless list of chores. But humans need touch to survive and thrive, says Dr. Hallowell. Every morning hug and kiss your husband for a full 30 seconds before you both rush out the door. Schedule a massage for yourself. Pat your friend on the back, both literally and figuratively.

FORGIVE
Forgiveness is life-giving because it puts you in charge. “It doesn’t mean you’re caving in or letting the other person off the hook, but by giving up your resentment and offering compassion, you become empowered,�?says Robert Enright, Ph.D., author of Forgiveness Is a Choice. It doesn’t change the harsh words that were exchanged or the unfair treatment you’ve received. But in time, forgiveness may help you remember things differently.

PRAY
“Prayer is asking God to transform the situation and become the heart of your life, your family, your community,�?says David Bryant, chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee, a multidenominational coalition that sponsors the National Day of Prayer. So take a moment each day, whether you’re in the shower or stuck in traffic, and connect with God.

HOPE
Hope is the knowledge that even in the worst of times we can triumph over hardship and sorrow and grow in spirit. Hope is what sustains humanity in the face of harsh realities. Whether it’s the desire to attain a certain goal at work or the belief that tomorrow will be a better day, hope conquers fear and replaces it with a vital optimism.

CHOOSE
“We can’t always choose our circumstances, but we can choose our attitudes toward them,�?says Greg Hicks, coauthor of How We Choose to Be Happy. If you lose your job, you probably didn’t want it to happen, but you decide whether to be angry or to see it as an opportunity. Perhaps you can discover a new career. Avoid negativity by asking, “What is the opportunity in this situation?�?/P>

APPRECIATE
At least once a day, stop to ask yourself what you appreciate about your life at this moment. Do you love the view from your kitchen window? Your husband’s smile? Instead of focusing on what you think are shortcomings in yourself, focus on what you like. Do you have beautiful lips, cute toes, nice legs? Are you a giving and thoughtful person? Admire the good in yourself.

GIVE
Happiness involves giving freely to others. Whenever Gina Meacham of Richfield, Minnesota, is having a particularly bad day, she tries to reach out and help her family or friends. “I have learned that by giving, I actually get more in return than the recipient,�?she says.

READ
“Reading removes boundaries. When you read you can learn anything you want to know,�?says Carmelita K. Williams, immediate past president of the International Reading Association. Get a library card for everyone in the family, and use it regularly. Try different genres: mystery, historical fiction, biography. Read about things you’ve never considered.

WRITE
By putting your thoughts on paper you can express emotions, organize thoughts and make dreams more concrete. You don’t have to use perfect grammar or fancy words. Write a letter to your mother or your unborn child. Tell your senator what you think. Keep a journal. Write a letter to your husband when you’re angry with him, then tear it up. Words are freedom. Words are power.

RELEASE
Avoid doing something just because everyone thinks you should. Give yourself permission to relax. Stop worrying about what your neighbor, your boss or your mother will think about you. Grieve for people, ideas or moments you’ve lost, and then let them go.