Robert Louis Stevenson was ill much of his life. As a boy he could not play with other boys. Most of the things he wanted to do were restricted to him, but he grew up anyway and wrote such wonderful stories as "A Child's Garden of Verse", "Treasure Island" and many other stories that have been a delight to millions. He always seemed happy in spite of his handicap. Did he have a secret formula? At least it is said that he had twelve rules to follow.

1. Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.

2. Make the best of your circumstances. No one has everything, and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears.

3. Don't take your self too seriously. Don't think that somehow you should be protected from misfortune that befalls others.

4. You can't please everybody. Don't let criticism worry you.

5. Don't let your neighbor set your standards. Be yourself.

6. Do the things that you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.

7. Never borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than real ones.

8. Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish jealousy, enmity, grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.

9. Have many interests. If you can't travel, read about new places.

10. Don't hold post mortem's. Don't spend your time brooding over sorrows or mistakes. Don't be one who never gets over things.

11. Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.

12. Keep busy at something. A busy person never has time to be unhappy.