It seems slightly strange to talk about a person's minimum requirements for happiness. Can you and how do you turn the pursuit of happiness into a science to be studied?

At the same time, as I've watched myself and my counseling/coaching clients over the years, it has become clear to me that each person has their own minimum requirements for happiness.

Minimum happiness requirements

So what are your minimum requirements for happiness?

One way to identify minimum requirements for happiness is to consider this question - Have you ever stopped doing something you really enjoy because you just got too busy and forgot about it? I think we have all done that one.

Remember what it felt like to do this activity again? If it was a small thrill coupled with a thought of oh yeah, I remember this, you are on the right track.

A recent example from my own life might be helpful. With two young boys always in one of our cars, the stereo had never really been turned up loud. I recently began to introduce my oldest to certain music played loud. I had forgotten how much I like listening to music, some of it loud.

It's a small thing, but it sure makes me happy.

What small things make you happy do you need to rediscover?

Jeff Herring

Jeff is a marriage and family therapist, singles and relationship coach, mentor coach, speaker, syndicated relationship columnist and author.

Jeff has a full time private practice in Tallahassee in which he specializes in couples, teen and parent counseling. He also is a relationship coach specializing in working with couples and singles. Some of his professional activities include:

==> Internationally syndicated relationship columnist through Knight-Ridder/Tribune Media Services, with a weekly readership of over 10 million worldwide

==> Sought after speaker for organizations, associations, churches, and corporations

==>Twice weekly appearances on The Steve and Sara Show on Magic 107.1

==> Author of "Keep the Changes: 52 Tools for Successful Living" a collection of his best columns, as well as several e-books including "How to Create a Passionate and Loving Relationship.........Forever," "How to Beat the BOZOs: Dealing with difficult people without becoming one," and "Tame Your Teen: THE survival guide for parenting your teenager.

==> Founder and CEO of TheArticleGuy.com

==> Founder and CEO of SecretsofGreatRelationships.com

==> Founder and CEO of ParentingYourTeeanger.com

==> Founder and CEO of ToolsforSuccessfulLiving.com

==> President of BuildingYourIdealPractice.com

==> President of ConsciousDatingTallahassee.com