INPUT ARTICLE: Article: One key to learning what makes you happy is to start looking for patterns. The best way to look for patterns is to create data. That is, you need to take time each night to write about your day and how you feel about it. That way, you can start seeing the things that make you happy.  Start by rating your day on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is the best, and one is the worst. Don't think too hard. Just think about how happy you were that day. Write down what you did that day. If you can, try to figure out what made the day good or bad, happiness-wise. Try to write down things that go on, even if you're not sure how they affect your happiness yet, such as "Worked on my novel," or "Went to the movies." Another way to track how happy you are at certain times is to use an app built for that purpose. These apps will ask you questions throughout the day, generally questioning you about your happiness at a certain point in time. They can help you build up data about how happy you are doing certain things, which in turn can help you figure out what's making you happiest. Once you've created the data, you need to take some time to examine it. Look at the days when you're the most happy. What are you doing on those days? On the days when you're the most upset, what are you doing? See what patterns you notice on the happy and sad days to help you figure out what makes you happy. Another option to gauge your happiness is to try a happiness quiz. These quizzes will provide more general answers than, say, using reflection to figure out what makes you happy, but they may be able to point you in the right direction.  You can find any number of these quizzes online to take. Try taking more than one to get a broader answer. for happiness. Meditation forces you to spend time with you and only you. That means you are left alone with your thoughts and feelings. As you confront those thoughts and feelings, you may start learning things about yourself, such as what is upsetting to you and what makes you the happiest.  In addition to helping you find what makes you happy, meditation can lead you to greater happiness just by doing it because it releases chemicals in your body that make you happier, such as endorphins and serotonin.  One option for meditation is just to sit quietly with your eyes closed and practice deep breathing. You can count to four in your head as you breathe in through your nose and hold for four counts. Count to four again as you slowly breathe out. Keeping practice this breathing for several minutes, trying to focus solely on your breath moving in and out. If you don't want to fly solo on meditation, consider using guided meditation. You can find a number of guided meditations online, or you can download a meditation app for your phone. Another option for helping you evaluate what makes you happy is to get someone to help you. Therapists are trained to help you find what makes you happy in your life, and they can help you work through any issues that are making you unhappy.  A therapist can help you cut through the cloudiness and see you for who you really are, even when you can't do that by yourself. If you're not sure how to start looking for a therapist, ask your friends for recommendations, especially ones that you know have used a therapist before. If you can't afford a therapist, go to a sliding scale clinic, where you will pay based on what you make.

SUMMARY: Rate your days. Use a happiness tracking app. Look at the data. Take a happiness quiz. Meditate Find a therapist.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: OK, now he knows who you are. Don't worry if your first time talking to him wasn't perfect because you're now going to try to be around him more and start to pique his interests. Put yourself in his path when you know he’s going to be somewhere.  Be logical: would you at all have a sentimental interest in someone whose existence you are only marginally aware of? Well, that's the way he feels about you at the moment. Repeated exposure to you will increase his feelings for you. If he was attracted to you initially, the attraction will only increase the more he encounters you.  Some good ways to spend more time around him are to start frequenting his local venues (bars, restaurants, book stores, etc.) or to try to get invited to some of the same social events as him. While looks definitely aren’t everything, they can be a very big part of attracting a person initially. For this reason, it is important that you try to look your best when you are putting yourself in his way. Even if you are dressed casually, wear a little makeup so he’ll think you are a natural beauty. Make sure you smell good too so that he’ll associate you with smelling good in his mind. And remember that everyone loves a great smile. So remember to flash him a grin when you see him. If you have common friends (friends, not random acquaintances. Otherwise it'll be too suspicious), try being around them more – and if he comes, talk to him. Answer what he says, react. Don't push yourself forward too much, but try to make him feel like you're a person worth knowing. If your two circles of friends don't cross, don't lose hope! Be strategical. If you see him alone at lunch, invite him to join you at your table. If you see him in the corridors, try having a conversation with him. Don't follow him everywhere he goes; don't join every club he's in. Be nice and cheerful when with him, but your encounters must not be forced. If he suddenly sees you everywhere, you'll scare him. This is one of the most difficult steps – finding the right balance. But you'll manage eventually.  Don't turn into a stalker, but be open and friendly. The feeling you must convey is of interest. That way, he'll feel comfortable if he wants to get to know you a little bit more. Some good behaviors to avoid are showing up where you know he’ll be too often, calling or texting him repeatedly, liking or commenting on everything he does on his social media accounts, or visiting his place of employment too often. Remember: you can't force time. He'll come your way if you maintain those dispositions of friendly interest.

SUMMARY: Try to see him on a regular basis. Look your best. Use your connections. Don't frighten him.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The running water in your shower loosens surface dirt and softens soap residue on your travertine tiles. For optimal results, tackle shower cleaning after your shower has primed the tiles for you. Travertine, like all limestones, is extremely sensitive to acids. Use a non-acidic stone cleaner, such as Granite Gold Shower Cleaner or MB-3, and spray the travertine thoroughly from the top to the bottom. Let the cleaner sit on the stone for 10 minutes to begin dissolving any soap scum. Given travertine’s acid sensitivity, always avoid applying vinegars or other citrus cleaners. Fill a bucket with warm water, and begin scrubbing the tiles with it. Use a diamond-shaped brush to wash the entire top row of tiles, applying firm pressure to loosen soap scum. Progress to the next highest row, methodically working your way to the bottom row. This way, dirty water will run down on tiles you’ve yet to clean.  Focus particular attention on any surface holes in the travertine when cleaning, as they can collect soap scum. A diamond-shaped brush makes it easy to clean your shower’s innermost corners easily, but any shape is fine. Be sure to choose 0000-grade steel wool, as it is very fine and shouldn’t scratch the tiles. Lightly buff away hard water stains with the steel wool. Turn the shower on and rinse your newly cleaned travertine tiles with warm water. If there are any spots you can’t reach with the showerhead, fill your bucket up with clean water and rinse the tiles clean manually. Use a towel to wipe down your travertine to remove any traces of stone cleaner. It may be helpful to open a window to dry the area more quickly.

SUMMARY:
Clean your shower after you use it. Spray your wet tiles with a non-acidic soap scum remover. Use warm water to scrub the tiles. Remove hard water stains with fine steel wool. Rinse the shower with warm water. Dry your travertine with a clean towel.