My happy thoughts

I decided today that I wanted to make a list of all the things I find myself doing to stay happy. Hopefully someone else will find this helpful: 1. smile, smile, smile - Smile at strangers, smile to yourself. Just smile and meant it. 2. Help others - So much can be learned from simply asking to help: general knowledge, experience, patience, etc. 3. Be curious about the world - stop and pick the flower you think is pretty, strike up conversation with a stranger while waiting in line. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. 4. Don't worry about things you have no control over - this is my life motto. So much anxiety can be avoided by asking yourself, "Is there anything I can personally do, myself, that will change this?" If the answer is no, stop dwelling. 5. Stand up for the things that are most important to you - Nobody likes that one person that seems to want to argue about everything. It's crucial to stand up for yourself, but remember to choose your battles. 6. Love youself - my other life motto (if you can have two): You have to love yourself before you can expect anyone else to. If you don't think you're awesome and the best thing since sliced bread, why would anyone else? 7. Take a walk - being in nature is vital to my happiness, and I don't think its just me. Humans have a special bond with the Earth. It was given to sustain us. Spend time with it and love it. 8. Be nice to someone even when you don't feel like it - I feel like I do this a lot, but it could be because my job is in customer service so I have to be nice... But I have noticed, even when not at work, bad moods melt away the second someone sincerely appreciates what you've done for them. 9. Truly, sincerely, forgive people - We have all been hurt, and I'm sure everyone is thinking of one specific time that they were hurt the most. But forgiving someone, shows that you love and care about them more than a mistake they made. And it also brings you closer because together, you have overcome something. 10. Read for pleasure - unless you don't like to read. 11. Laugh at yourself - Sometimes I have more fun when I'm alone then surrounded by lots of people. It's refreshing to act a fool and not care :) 12. Show compassion and empathy - I have come to find that the smallest things mean the most in times of need. You never know when "Do you need someone to talk to?" is exactly what someone has been waiting to hear for so long. 13. Daydream - some of my greatest ideas and visions have been results of daydreams. You've got to get out of your head sometimes. 14. Make and effort to love everything until given a reason not to - The more you love, the more love you will receive. Judging people gives you nothing but loneliness and envy. 15. Dance and sing - Even if you don't think you're good, do it. See #11 These are all the ones I came up with for today. Maybe this will become a continuous entry as I think of more. But yea, that's how I stay happy :)