http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq0GuP0WIow&version=3&hl=en_US

Great moments in life only happen once.

That being said, It’s one thing to be present when you are riding an epic wave on a surf trip to Nicaragua, as is this case in the above video of my friend Hunter.

But in the bump and grind of everyday living, having the wherewithal to be present and own the moment is hard to do.

Matthieu Ricard is the happiest man in the world, according to brain scientists. Scans of Ricard’s brain showed the most significant level of “positive emotions” in the left pre-frontal cortex of the brain, which is associated with happiness while Ricard is also able suppress negative thoughts on the right-hand side.

Ricard, who is a Buddhist monk and French interpreter for the Dalai Lama, says it’s all about training the brain. Like fielding short hop ground balls or surfing a wave, we are slowly realizing that having a sculpted, “fit” brain is even more important than a ripped core or supple ass.

As Ricard said, “Our life can be greatly transformed by even a minimal change in how we manage our thoughts and perceive and interpret the world. Happiness is a skill. It requires effort and time.”

Here are 3 quick tips on starting to get mentally fit, happy, and more present:

1. Surround yourself with positive people. A wise one said, “Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, just make sure you are not, in fact, surrounded by assholes.”

2. Recognize the basic precept of happiness: focusing and appreciating what you have rather than what you want.

3. Listen to this amazing Grateful Dead concert. 

And if you are really hellbent on 2012 being the happiest year ever, check out my Livin the Moment 2012 Experience.