Are you happy?
Truly happy?
Think about it.
I think true happiness goes beyond that laugh when you're
with friends; that smile when you talk to a cashier; that banter when you speak
to someone you've known for years. True happiness isn't a physical trait (like
a smile or laugh), however, it shows itself in expression.
I believe you can only tell you're truly happy when you're
alone. There's no point only being happy when you're with other people: let's
face it, people can be annoying- you may need space. Other than that, they may
need space from you. In my case, I am at such a high degree of awesome that
normal, mere mortals are unable to handle it and need time away from me so they don't explode or melt or something (okay,
okay, maybe it's just because I can get super hyper and weird and that tends to
scare people off ! )
Now I'm no Oprah or Dr Phil, I don't have the magic formula
to help you be happy. At the end of the day, true happiness comes from reliance
on God and your own personal choice, but I am here to say something I have come
to believe is one of the most important lessons I've learnt while wandering
this beautiful earth for 19 years:
DO NOT LET ANYTHING (and I mean ANYTHING!!!!) STEAL YOUR
HAPPINESS.
Want to know something amazing?
You have the RIGHT to be happy. No person or situation can
take happiness away from you unless you allow it.
Now I know you probably think "Easier said than
done", but you know what: that's what annoys me about the human race. We
over-complicate EVERYTHING! How on earth are we supposed to enjoy these short lives
we have on earth if we keep analyzing every little thing? I'm not saying go isolate
yourself from humanity, live on a beach and survive on the local delicacies of
snakes and coconuts (although the beach part doesn't sound too bad...), but
remember to chill every now and again and not to worry or analyze things that
don't require it. Life should have a balance.
Okay, enough with my rant, but seriously: your happiness is
YOURS- own it. Sometimes things won't go your way. Even Jesus says in John
17:33 that "in this world you WILL have trouble". Life isn't supposed
to be easy, otherwise how would you learn and grow and make memories? Growth
can be painful, but at the end of the day, growth is necessary (can't stay in
diapers forever you know.... Althooooough imagine not having to get up at 2AM
and actually have to walk to the bathroom...) .
I've said this many times, but your attitude determines your
response to a situation. If something bad happens and you choose to be negative
and all "I hate my life" and "Why did this have to happen to
me", then odds are you're going to lose happiness. I don't know about you,
but I hate losing (hence my first year
#GAINNNNZZZZZ). Don't give into your situation, rather, look for
solutions to your problems. Solutions aren't always easy to find, but I promise
you every problem has a way to solve it (sometimes that involves ignoring it
until it disappears by itself #UniversityLife).
Also, you aren't meant to handle things alone:
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor." Ecclesiastes 4:9
"Don’t be afraid, because I’m with you; don’t be anxious, because I am your God. I keep on strengthening you; I’m truly helping you. I’m surely upholding you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Plus I'm sure you have at least one friend (if not,just get a puppy
or a really big teddy), and ask them for advice. Another thing I've learnt, ASK
AN ADULT. It's not as lame as it sounds! Surprisingly, adults tend to be quite
smart about a lot of things; you know, probably because they've been through exactly what you're going
through. Also remember that whatever you're facing, you are not the only one!
After reading Stellies Confessions and chatting to girls in res, I realised
that a lot of the things I've struggled with, many people are struggling with
too! Form a group, get in touch and work through things together.
Then people.
Do not let people steal your happiness.
This is so tough because people can be so, so, so mean and
selfish. That's brutal but it's true. I won't lie, I can be very selfish. You
just try and disturb me during one of my very intensive series times, and I may
just bite you. Yup, that's how next level I am. I don't care if you're dying
from stomach pains, need help with a question or are here to bring me a gift, I'm sure there's a doctor near
by, Google has tons of knowledge and - woah, okay if it's a gift then you're more
than welcome to disturb me :)
Sometimes I think people are so unhappy in themselves that
when they see happiness in another person, they don't like it. Let's be real:
unhappiness is so much better when you're not the only one feeling it. Imagine I was
really angry at someone and wanted to complain to a friend: if my friend agreed
and said stuff like, "OH ME GAWSH SHE'S SUCH A COW!!" or "THAT
JALAPEÑO - SMELLING FOOT FUNGI!!!", I'd feel so much better about myself
than if she said, "Oh shame" or "Don't worry, she probably didn't mean it". Like come on, I know I'm probably being irrational but work with me here :/
Things are better experienced in groups, that's why you
fight as an army or go jolling with friends (dancing alone is awwwkies, but
total respect if you can do it!#TeachMeeeee)
If someone is causing you to be unhappy, TELL THEM.
Communication is key. You don't have to be mean about it, but sometimes someone
may not realize how they are making you feel. If communication doesn't work, it
may be time to cut them out of your life. Think about it: do you really want to
spend some of your few years here unhappy because of people? If you're unhappy
in a place, MOVE if you can't make it work for you. If people are belittling or
saddening you, find new friends. Personally, I'd rather have one or two good
friends that make me feel positive and happy, than a whole group of people who just
make me depressed all the time.
I cannot emphasize how short life is. You never know when it
will be taken away from you. Just make the most of every single moment and
don't have regrets. You are not here to please other people, you are here to
please God. Stop living in the shadows of other people and BE the frigging
sun!!! Happiness is infectious. You could help so many other people by openly
spreading your happiness around. Be the Santa Clause of happiness this
Christmas season ;)
Laugh! If you find things funny, laugh. It doesn't matter if
it isn't another person's sense of humor. Trust, ask my friends, I often say or
see things that I find insanely hilarious, whereas those around me think I may
just be a little bit crazy...
Like right now the airplane is having turbulence but you
know what I want to do?
LAUGH! (Okay in this case not because it's funny, just
because I'm freaking out a little bit, I'm an unattractive crier and there's a
cute guy in the seat near me #MayBeNearDeathButStillGottaLookFresh)
Anyway, so sorry if this is long, plane rides get my mind
going!
But in essence, be happy.
Look for solutions instead of problems and surround yourself with
positivity, not negativity.
Remember, you only live once.
(Yup, I went there #YOLO)
