10 Ways To Be Happy

Springtime instantly puts me in a better mood; it’s something about hearing the birds chirp, feeling thewarm breeze and seeing the flowers in bloom that just makes my day brighter. After a long winter hibernation with months of snow, slush and cloudy days I welcome spring with open arms. I am finally ready to re-enter the world. Spring is definitely my season!

As if all the lush vegetation in bloom was not enough to raise my already high spirits, I recently stumbled across a list called “10 Ways To Be Happy.”  I plan to keep this list with me at all times so it can brighten mygrumpy days and save me from the winter slump! Here’s the list:

My favorites from the list were:

1. Accept the things you can’t change. If you can and want to change them, do it.

I am a self-proclaimed perfectionist and due to this “illness” there have been numerous times that I have wanted to go back in the past and change something I have done or said to create a different outcome.

Unfortunately, I do not have a time machine stowed away for a rainy day so I must make peace with the situation and move forward. Because if I dwell on the past I won’t have time to focus on the things I cancontrol like my future. This revelation frees me from my own mind, reminds me that I cannot control everything and that it is important to stay in the moment.

2. Let go of the people who are holding you down. If you considered them, you already know who these people are.

I remember in middle school we had an assembly where an ex-professional football player came to our school and told us that we were at an age where we needed to set ourselves up for greatness. And with greatnesscomes sacrifice, he said that sometimes the people that we surround ourselves with can pull us away from greatness so we may have to let them go.

Although I listened to his words I did not think they applied to my particular group of friends. It was not until my college years that I noticed the divide between myself and a few friends. At that point I knew I had to act in my best interest; I may have few friends, but the ones I have are making me better and visa versa. 

3. Blast your favorite upbeat song and sing at the top of your lungs, dancing as you go.

I do not feel the need to explain this point! Everyone knows how awesome it feels to go for a run and drive while blasting your favorite tunes and pretending to hit all the high notes when no one is around!

4. Go for a run. A nice, long run. Run until you feel good; at the very least, you’ll be tired enough that the feelings will seem less major.

I am usually not into running, so instead I intermix jogging with power walks through my neighborhood and the adjoining park. One particularly unpleasant day I walked for about two hours then came home and took a glorious nap. By the time I awoke, I was much more calm and centered. I literally walked off my anger.

10. Realize that you are your own biggest critic. People do not see the faults in yourself that you do. So realize that they are not faults, not imperfections. They make you, you.

It is so easy to get caught up in our own imperfections that we start to get down on ourselves, but in reality no one else notices these small flaws that you do! People are so self absorbed they do not have time to dwell on your mistakes or missteps because they have their own. Play it cool and keep with the flow, you’re doing great!

Reading this list has inspired me to include a few things that make me happy…

1. Painting my nails while watching Sex and The City2. Eating fresh fruit
3. Going for a hike with my friends
4. Baking cinnamon buns with my sister
5. Spending a day on my couch reading a good book 

What makes you happy? What kind of activities would be on your list?

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