You’ve spent a lovely afternoon in Central Park, reconnecting with old friends. The feeling of happiness is still lingering with you hours later.

Now, if you could just preserve this feeling and stay in this state of mind from now on.

You’d be set!

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

Happiness is not a state of being, it’s a way of being. It isn’t the destination of a journey, it’s the journey itself. However, this road you’re journeying on isn’t without obstacles.

What kind of obstacles could pop up on your personal road to happiness and how can you remove them. Consider just a few:

Ignorance. Some say “ignorance is bliss.” True. Our lives often are happier when we simplify matters. So, why is that an obstacle? It isn’t. That’s not the kind of ignorance we’re talking about.

The ignorance that becomes an obstacle to our happiness occurs when 1) we do not even know what makes us happy and 2) when we are completely unorganized in attempting to bring happiness into our lives. Any time you want to have something, you need to make a plan for how to obtain it.

So, what makes you happy? The success of your business venture? Spending a lovely afternoon with family or friends? Playing in the park with your pets? Treating yourself to a delicious cup of coffee? Being able to retire soon? Walking along the beach, watching the beautiful ocean? Listening to your favorite song?

The fact is, happiness is not produced by a single thing. It’s many. Make a list of them and figure out exactly what makes you happy. Then you can tackle that second part of the obstacle of ignorance, namely bringing structure to your journey.

In every area of your life, you must evaluate what you can do to include the things that make you happy. Ask yourself questions like: Is something keeping me from being happy with my work? What is it? How can I eliminate or change it? Do I have too little time to spend with my loved ones? From what area of my life could I take some time to have more with family and friends?

Remember, be specific, creating a plan for your own circumstances. List the steps you must take, and make sure you follow through.

Overindulgence. Enough is enough! The problem that often follows when we find the things that make us happy is that we tend to go overboard with them. More is actually not always better.

You’re happy at work? But working all the time? Too much!

You’re happy spending time with your family and friends? But having them over every single day, all day? Too much!

You’re happy when treating yourself to your favorite food or drink? But eating or drinking it for every meal? Too much!

The fact is, you have to know your ‘enough.’ Believe it or not, being content with just the right amount of your personal pleasures will keep you from adding obstacles to your road to happiness.

Lack of Affection. Love. Empathy. Gratitude. Those are things that are often sorely lacking in our lives. Their shortage is another big obstacle to happiness.

We’re not just talking about affection for others. What about yourself? What about showing yourself thankfulness for the things in your life?

Make a list. Ask: What am I thankful for in my life? Family? Friends? Health? Who am I thankful to? What have they done for me? How can I show them that I’m thankful? For what things can I say “thank you” to myself? Have I accomplished something? Am I proud of it? Does it make me happy?

Give yourself and others some love, and remind yourself of what you’re thankful for daily!