Be Happy Even When You Wish Things Were Different

Be Happy. Such an easy statement but at times one of the hardest things to accomplish. Every single one of us have tings going on in our lives that makes being happy difficult. Whether it is an illness, worry over money and bills, a divorce, or just us standing in our way. We all have something and we need to remember that. Everyone is dealing with difficult situations. Remembering that will go a long way towards being happy.

I spent a lot of years wishing this was different or that. Wishing that something would go my way. Hoping and praying for a different outcome. It didn’t always happen for me. It took a long time to realize that I needed to find joy and happiness in what I have and where I am at the moment in my life. Everyone would like to change certain or wish something was better. Maybe not better but just different.

I was reading a book last night and the main female character was very depressed. She had been kidnapped by aliens, left on a frozen planets, surrounded by other aliens. Her family was just gone left to think she had died and she was never going to see them again. Most of the other survivors had done their best to find their new place in their new reality. She was just having a hard time with it.

One of the other survivors told her to find five things everyday to be thankful for. Just five things regardless of how small and simply. She began to do that and then one day realized she didn’t need to do it any more. It seems like such a small thing. When I first discovered I depression my therapist suggested something similar.

I got out of the habit when I didn’t think I needed it anymore. However, recently I have had moments when I felt like I needed a little reminder that I was happy with what I have and where I am. I began adding a little list inside of journal first thing every morning. Just a quick list of things I am grateful for that day.

Then at night when I am writing out all of my day’s events and feelings I take a few minutes and write out five things that me me happy today. They can be anything and I admit there are some days where it is simply I remembered to refill the extra toilet paper under the sink.

Seems small but I have learned to take each moment and each small thing as a win. The small things add just like the big things and most days they out weigh all of the bad. When I am having a bad day I can look over my lists and find a reason (or memory) to be happy about. The point you aren’t alone. Your problems may be different, may even be bigger than someone else’s but you aren’t alone. We all have problems and issues to overcome. Just take the time to find 5 small things that you are grateful for….5 small things that made you happy today.