Change It All By Doing Just One Thing

When life blows one nasty punch after another, focus on the little things that make you happy. I know, it sounds so cliché. But it works. If you actually do it…even though it’s the last thing that you want to do at that time. At that time you want to rage against the world. You want to hit something and then cry. But why cry, if instead, you can absorb yourself with the things around you that make you happy, the things you love? Will it change your perspective? Will it make your life a little better? The simple answer? Yes. It will. Go for a walk and notice the trees shuffle in the wind. Call a friend and ask them what the good parts of their day have been. Draw something. Write some poetry. Listen to your favorite music. Dance to it. Go outside and put your hands against the Earth. Take your neighbor’s dog for a walk. What are the things that make you happy? If you’re still unsure of what they are, it’s a perfect time to sit down and ask yourself what makes me happy? Because, knowing what makes you happy has the potential of making you happy all the time.

When life is crappy, choosing to focus on the wonderful things, can make you happy instead of miserable. For real, this works. Breathe deeply as many times as it takes to feel yourself within your body. Then focus. Focus on those beautiful things, the simple things that make you happy. do that. Don’t sit down on the couch and watch TV. Don’t listen to the news. Those are designed to keep you in misery. Go to your happy place. It will change all the time. Because your life will be going through different transitions at different times and different things will make you happy. Sometimes, when you need to get a lot done, working on one thing at a time until it’s finished, will bring you joy. Even if it’s something you don’t like. Different things can bring you joy at different times. Think about what it is. If you’re in an awful space, then stick to the simple things, but if you can, push that description of what makes you happy. Push against it and learn more about yourself.

Yes. This world can be brutally hard sometimes. But you? You can always choose happiness instead.

~Janice M. Burke

Image by Janice M. Burke