How to live a happy life

Lately, I have lived a life of discontent and I have been thinking of ways or philosphy to live a happy life and you know what I have learned, not setting up the bar high in life doesn't work nor risking everything to go for something that does not have assurance and end up being hurt eventually will just make you bitter and stupid. Living a very cautious life is not the best option either and living a worry-free life will just make you laidback and high risk and have a lower mortality compared to the careful ones, so what exactly will make us live a happy life. Saying living life to the fullest is vague and cliche and can be misinterpreted to make stupid choices because oppurtunity doesn't knock everyday or something and eventually regretting our stupid choices.
To be honest, I do not know either. I think acceptance is the key. Acceptance that life is not perfect but we have the power to make a choice that we are going to be happy. In my situation, I just try to do the little things to make me happy. For example, I exercise to get those endorphines pumping in and making me just a cheerful person, I smile and greet people. I am courteous and I am just generally nice even to strangers. You know what they say, smile and the world will smile with you.
I know, you are just thinking that nothing bad is happening to me so far that's why I seem to be cheerful lately but honestly, I am not triumphant and successful in all aspect of my life but here's the thing, I told myself already that my life has a very high rate to be unfortunate so always expect the worse but not be a pessimist, meaning just be prepared and be ready to give yourself the support and the strength that you will need when the time comes.
As my friend, Kahren told me once that I just chose to be happy because I was asking her why I am genuinely happy for someone when most people are thinking that I should be sad or not happy at all for that person. Kahren is right, being happy is a choice. If you also want to be happy of course, you don't choose choices that will complicate your life. I am not saying not to risk anything but if you initially knew that something will not last, why risk your reputation and happiness, when you already knew that you will get hurt in the end? That is just masochism and stupid and I am tired of getting hurt and living a life full of depression and imperfection.
How to live a happy life? Make good choices, have an adventure, be prepared with the worst, do your best to be happy and just be nice and eventually you will be rewarded.