No matter how much I strive to remain happy and positive on an everyday basis, I can't help but notice the constant negativity that is plaguing the world around me. To be honest, it's unbearable. Watching the people around me being miserable does not make me miserable, it just makes me wonder why their life is so shitty and why mine is so happy. Then, I realized... it's not that my life is any better than theirs, I just have a better outlook.
While I may not be able to change the way that these negative Nancy's function, I can offer some tips for achieving a happy life:
1. Smile
I once read a study that said smiling could actually fake your brain into believing that you're happier than you actually are. I don't know the validity of the study, and I couldn't even name where I read it, but here is what I do know; if you walk around like a grumpy goose, no one is going to think "gee, I'd really love to be friends when them." It's far easier to walk around looking happy, or at least content, than it is to look pissy pants. Angry looking people are an epidemic at airports. I don't know why everyone is always so angry looking... we are about to travel REALLLLLY far and fly 30,000 plus feet in the air at speeds of 500 miles per hour. Like, hello... just be pleased that you get to participate in an activity of this caliber.
2.Don't participate in arguments
Seriously, just don't do it. If someone is yelling at you... just stand there. Trust me. Before you know it, the person who started the argument will run out of juice, and you will still just be standing there, saying absolutely nothing at all. If you think about it, it's truly a wise move in the game of life. Less is more, especially in this case. If you say nothing at all, the other person looks just as dumb as they would if you verbally assaulted them.
3.Remain Drama-Free
Up until a few days ago, I didn't know that dramatic people still existed in my age group. Sadly, they do. Whenever someone brings drama into your life, ignore it. Anytime someone utters the words, "She said...." don't believe it. Unless you personally heard someone say something, go ahead and assume that it isn't true. Whenever someone is yelling, don't yell back. When two people around you get into an altercation, don't take sides. If your friends back stab you, quickly come to the conclusion that they aren't really your friends. No sense in wasting time or energy on any of those situations.
4.Be Kind to Everyone
If everyone would just respect everyone that they encounter, the world would be an infinitely better place. There is absolutely no reason to be rude to anyone. Last week, a very old man walked right in front of me while I was patiently waiting in line at Subway, and I just let him go. Besides the fact that he was 80 years old, I wasn't in a hurry so there was no need to get worked up about the five minute delay. Holding the door for someone, allowing someone to merge into your lane in front of you and saying "thank you" are all simplistic ways to be kind to others. Just try it, you may be surprised at how accomplished you feel.
5. Know Your Worth
Don't live your life thinking that you are better than others, but understand what you deserve. Set goals for yourself, and understand what you are capable of achieving. Set standards for yourself, and for those that you surround yourself with. When you cant meet those standards, re-evaluate the way you're living. When others don't treat you the way that you treat them, avoid them. You cannot force anyone to become a better person. You can, however, prevent yourself from becoming a bad person.
6.Value Every Moment
Realize that, for every single thing you do throughout the day, some people out there are unable to preform the same task. When you wake up, realize that not everyone gets another day on earth. When you step out of bed, realize that not everyone has the ability to move on their own. When you shower, realize that not everyone has a home of their own to bathe in. When you call your parents, realize that some people aren't able to call their parents because they don't know who they are or they have passed. When you get to work each day, realize that 10% of Americans are still jobless. If we spent more time adoring what we DO have,we'd forget about the things that we don't have.
While I actively practice all of these actions and mindsets each day, even I have moments of weakness. For example, a few days ago a woman was going the incorrect way in a one-way parking lot and gave me a nasty look. Next thing I know, my car window is down, and my mouth is uttering the words "stupid bitch." The point is, you can't always be positive. However, if you need tips, now you know where to find them!
Until next week, here's to happiness,
Xoxo<3
