Happiness is a plight that everybody seems to be searching for. I would be lying to you dear reader if I said I knew the answers to eternal happiness or even happiness for a long period of time because I myself have not achieved that. I can give you the five ways I use to brighten my day and turn the fate of a seemingly bad day around.
#1 Give time, attention, integrity, and compassion to others
I am not one to fault individualism, it's necessary to put time and attention into your own self and your own well being, but individuals who become self obsessed and aloof to the needs of others stand a good chance of being unhappy. Time is the best gift you can give to someone, it can not be bought, returned, or refunded. Taking the time to look someone in the eyes and show them that respect is one of the greatest gifts. Life gives us so many opportunities to execute this, we just don't always take them. Don't worry, it's never to late to start. Next time you walk into a coffee shop, whether it be Starbucks, Tims, Dunkin Donuts, or Second Cup, look the person who hands you you're order in the eyes and say thank you. It's a small act but it shows that you view that person as a human rather then just a server. If you're not a common visitor to coffee shops this will work in any restaurant, and any server. There's a thousand ways to show love and integrity, it starts by giving someone attention, and looking them in their eyes. Wouldn't you want the same?
#2 Take time for yourself
Congratulations, you've made it to step 2, you've given someone attention and you're still searching for happiness. Now it's time to give yourself attention. Life for many individuals (including myself) is a rat race. It's waking up everyday and following a repetitive procedure to get to were we need to go. Living in this constant cycle and never getting out of it is one of the biggest creators of my unhappiness. It's important to dedicate at least an hour of your day to taking time to do something that makes you truly happy or that benefits you positively. For me that's writing this blog, diving into a great piece of literature, sketching in my beloved sketchbook, or sometimes just sitting in a cozy room and focussing on my thoughts. Take some time in your day to do the things you truly love, dedicating at least one hour before bed to something positive and uplifting can really change your perspective of your day.
#3 Remove yourself from unnecessary negativity
Negativity seems to find its way into almost every environment and it can really put a damper on your mood when it gets infiltrated into your environment. Negativity comes in a barrage of forms, sometimes its through negative media, other people's words and complaints, or someone else's behaviour. Whenever possible you have to remove yourself from those situations. I am currently attending school and someday school feels like everybody's complaint session. Listening to other people complain about things that are not worth complaining about is white noise and unnecessary negativity. Sometimes I have to make the decision to remove myself from those environments and go to a more positive space like my school's art room or library. When you are faced with negativity sometimes you have to make the tough decision to remove yourself from it whether that be a negative relationship, a negative group of people, or just a negative environment in general.
#4 Unplug and look up from your devices
This one is probably the most difficult. Literally at this moment I am writing this blog post on my tablet computer while listening to music on my iphone and the music is being projected through my bluetooth wireless speaker. Although technology is a great thing and a great resource it is essential that we give life attention and not always spare down at an invention. When I have meetings, meals, or hangouts with other people I give them my full attention by not having my phone out. This ties into tip number one because it is giving someone time and integrity but giving them your full attention. Even sometimes when I'm alone I have to put my phone across the other side of my room so that I can get work done, have piece of mind, and eliminate some of the white noise technology can bring.
#5 Stop procrastinating, get what you need to get done completed
Okay if you have gotten to this step I applaud you. Procrastination is probably one of the biggest enemies to hard work. It is every student's worse nightmare when you put off all your assignments and studying till sunday night when it is all to be completed the next day. I find getting things done right away and having time to relax and do something I truly want to do is far more satisfying then putting something off until the eleventh hour. This step requires organization, sometimes I have to make schedules so that way I can a lot time for everything I need to complete. I have a day planner so that way I can view my evenings tasks at a glance, and sometimes I have to set reminders on my computer and phone for more urgent matters. The satisfaction for completing tasks in a timely fashion with time still left in the day is one of the best feelings in my opinion. I feel motivated, accomplished and I can relax guilt free.
So there you have it, five types on how to brighten your day, week, or life! Use as necessary, and remember, they may not be easy but they are possible.
the sky is not the limit, it is the gateway to infinite possibilities,
Liv Alexa
#1 Give time, attention, integrity, and compassion to others
I am not one to fault individualism, it's necessary to put time and attention into your own self and your own well being, but individuals who become self obsessed and aloof to the needs of others stand a good chance of being unhappy. Time is the best gift you can give to someone, it can not be bought, returned, or refunded. Taking the time to look someone in the eyes and show them that respect is one of the greatest gifts. Life gives us so many opportunities to execute this, we just don't always take them. Don't worry, it's never to late to start. Next time you walk into a coffee shop, whether it be Starbucks, Tims, Dunkin Donuts, or Second Cup, look the person who hands you you're order in the eyes and say thank you. It's a small act but it shows that you view that person as a human rather then just a server. If you're not a common visitor to coffee shops this will work in any restaurant, and any server. There's a thousand ways to show love and integrity, it starts by giving someone attention, and looking them in their eyes. Wouldn't you want the same?
#2 Take time for yourself
Congratulations, you've made it to step 2, you've given someone attention and you're still searching for happiness. Now it's time to give yourself attention. Life for many individuals (including myself) is a rat race. It's waking up everyday and following a repetitive procedure to get to were we need to go. Living in this constant cycle and never getting out of it is one of the biggest creators of my unhappiness. It's important to dedicate at least an hour of your day to taking time to do something that makes you truly happy or that benefits you positively. For me that's writing this blog, diving into a great piece of literature, sketching in my beloved sketchbook, or sometimes just sitting in a cozy room and focussing on my thoughts. Take some time in your day to do the things you truly love, dedicating at least one hour before bed to something positive and uplifting can really change your perspective of your day.
#3 Remove yourself from unnecessary negativity
Negativity seems to find its way into almost every environment and it can really put a damper on your mood when it gets infiltrated into your environment. Negativity comes in a barrage of forms, sometimes its through negative media, other people's words and complaints, or someone else's behaviour. Whenever possible you have to remove yourself from those situations. I am currently attending school and someday school feels like everybody's complaint session. Listening to other people complain about things that are not worth complaining about is white noise and unnecessary negativity. Sometimes I have to make the decision to remove myself from those environments and go to a more positive space like my school's art room or library. When you are faced with negativity sometimes you have to make the tough decision to remove yourself from it whether that be a negative relationship, a negative group of people, or just a negative environment in general.
#4 Unplug and look up from your devices
This one is probably the most difficult. Literally at this moment I am writing this blog post on my tablet computer while listening to music on my iphone and the music is being projected through my bluetooth wireless speaker. Although technology is a great thing and a great resource it is essential that we give life attention and not always spare down at an invention. When I have meetings, meals, or hangouts with other people I give them my full attention by not having my phone out. This ties into tip number one because it is giving someone time and integrity but giving them your full attention. Even sometimes when I'm alone I have to put my phone across the other side of my room so that I can get work done, have piece of mind, and eliminate some of the white noise technology can bring.
#5 Stop procrastinating, get what you need to get done completed
Okay if you have gotten to this step I applaud you. Procrastination is probably one of the biggest enemies to hard work. It is every student's worse nightmare when you put off all your assignments and studying till sunday night when it is all to be completed the next day. I find getting things done right away and having time to relax and do something I truly want to do is far more satisfying then putting something off until the eleventh hour. This step requires organization, sometimes I have to make schedules so that way I can a lot time for everything I need to complete. I have a day planner so that way I can view my evenings tasks at a glance, and sometimes I have to set reminders on my computer and phone for more urgent matters. The satisfaction for completing tasks in a timely fashion with time still left in the day is one of the best feelings in my opinion. I feel motivated, accomplished and I can relax guilt free.
So there you have it, five types on how to brighten your day, week, or life! Use as necessary, and remember, they may not be easy but they are possible.
the sky is not the limit, it is the gateway to infinite possibilities,
Liv Alexa
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