Happiness is a Choice
This may be an unpopular opinion but I believe happiness is a choice. When I heard Thich Nhat Hanh’s quote, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy,” I had to take a minute and let that sink in. You can either look to external sources to find your joy or you can be the source of your own happiness. I’m not saying that it’s easy, but when you learn how to find that contentment, you will find a long lasting joy.
Being grateful and in the moment can change your mindset. When you tap into gratitude, you can flip your negative thoughts to positive thoughts. Research has shown that gratitude can reduce depression and anxiety. I can confirm this from anecdotal evidence, but it’s good to know that it’s backed by science too. According to Kristin Francis, MD, a psychiatrist at Huntsman Mental Health Institute. "Expressing gratitude can positively change your brain ... It boosts dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters in the brain that improve your mood immediately, giving you those positive feelings of pleasure, happiness, and well-being." (University of Utah Health, Healthfeed “Practicing Gratitude for Better Health and Well-Being,” Nov. 19, 2021).
We can feel gratitude by appreciating the little things in life, instead of taking them for granted. It’s a pretty good thing that you woke up, right? Life is precious and every time we are given another day to go out there and shine our light and share our love is a good day. At least that’s what I think. You can also be grateful for other little things in the morning like your comfortable, warm bed, your coffee or tea, the food on the table, and your health.
Here are a few ways to be grateful in your everyday life:
Create a Sense of Wonder: Have you ever noticed the wonder and joy children have when they do the simplest things? It seems like every rock, pine cone, and feather is a wonder to behold for children and we have a tendency to lose that wonder as we grow up.
Act Like a Tourist Wherever You Go: Try to remember what it’s like when you see something for the first time, even though you see it every day. It will bring you joy to see what you see every day with fresh eyes.
Revel in the Beauty and Sounds of Nature: You can find so much joy in the show that nature puts on for you 24 hours a day. Add in an increased awareness of your senses to find an even greater appreciation for the little things. Find the little flowers that pop up through the sidewalk, or reflections on the water, or the feel the warmth of the sun. Look up as much as possible. Savor the beauty in the sky - the sunrise, sunset, cloud formations, and the stars at night. I love to see how the sky creates a backdrop for all the beauty around us. The sound of waves, a trickling stream, and the sound of birds chirping are mood boosters and calming.
Dwell on What’s Going Well: Most importantly, sit and think about what is going well for you. Count your blessings and be grateful for what is, instead of what isn’t. Try to be grateful for what you have, instead of wishing you had more. Let that sink in. This might be a game changer for you.
Turn Grief into Gratitude: Look around you when you are missing a loved one. Notice all of their touches - photos, artwork, mementos from a life well lived, whatever is around you that says so much about both of you, especially your loved one. Remember your shared time, all the good memories, and emphasize all the gifts they gave you during your lifetime.
Tap into Your Good Memories: I love the quote from Dr. Seuss, ““Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” By dwelling on your happy memories, you will realize how many gifts you have received in your life.
Feel the Love Around You: Think about that combination of your cherished items with those memories. It’s almost like you can feel their love all around you, like a hug. When you think about it, you have so much to be thankful for.
Write it Down: Keep a gratitude journal. Write in it daily to practice gratitude consistently. I journal in the morning to start my day on a positive note. Take at least a few minutes every day to appreciate what is going well. Just write 3 things you are thankful for and why. If time is short in the morning, take notes throughout the day and either use a note taking app or do what I do and send yourself an email. As a result, you can remember what you noticed in the moment.
Mindset is everything. Every day. Everywhere you go. You can focus on what’s missing, or you can shift your attention to what’s going well. Gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to make that shift—it grounds you, lifts your mood, and reminds you of what really matters.
I believe happiness is a choice. Louis Armstrong said it well when he sang “When you’re smiling, when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.” You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect to feel content. You can start creating your own happiness right now, just by smiling.
