Happiness is a state of mind and an emotion that shows we're in a good mood, and when we talk about how to stay happy, it's worth noting that I personally believe that happiness isn't the absence of problems; instead, it's the ability to find peace in different things in our lives, even when life isn't going as well planned or as we expect it to turn out for us. In order to be happy, we must first come to the understanding that life will always present different challenges, unanswered questions, disappointment, and even times we feel overwhelmed by everything. In all of the challenges that life presents, one of the keys to staying happy for me is knowing fully well that tough times won't last forever, meaning there's hope for a better day ahead.
Being happy for me comes in diverse ways and not just in one. One of the easiest ways to find happiness and be happy for me is learning to appreciate little things in my life, such as, for example, a conversation with friends or loved ones, probably while reminiscing on the past, sharing life experiences, or something else. It's also something as simple as listening to a song by one of my favorite musicians; at times I'm so lost in the rhythm at times to the point where I literally start dancing. All of these simple acts, among many others, have filled me with happiness in a time when many would have been sad due to the numerous challenges they had to deal with. The secret for me is that I don't wait for a big or extraordinary happening before I appreciate what I've got going well in my life, and I believe if many do the same, they'll find happiness in the little things they often ignore or overlook.
As a Christian, my faith in my creator also plays a big role in ensuring I'm happy in the face of a world that's always presenting us with issues that want to put us down in a state of worry, pain, and distress. There are times when I'm faced with situations that seem beyond my control, such as disappointment, and rather than start dwelling in the pain of such, I simply just remind myself that God is in control, and if I'm unable to get that, then God most likely has a better plan for me. Prayer and quiet time with my maker usually give me a sense of peace and hope, and that's why when things are beyond my comprehension, I tend to run to him, because even though I don't know how things will turn out, I know I've a God who knows tomorrow and cares about me. Doing this is very helpful for me because of how it helps me stop worrying about situations I can't change and instead trust in the one who can.
One of the keys to being happy and living a happy life that hasn't worked for many and not just me is by not comparing your life with someone else's life. Comparison has left many in sadness due to how they start seeing themselves as being behind others. My ability to understand that we all have different battles we're dealing with, and many won't even post such online; they online share the positive aspect of their life, and when you begin to use that as a yardstick for your own growth, you might fall into depression and lose your happiness, and that's why it's better we try not to compare our lives with that of others.
Lastly, I have the belief that happiness is sometimes a choice, meaning we can choose to be happy, even when everything around us points to us supposing to be sad, so whenever I feel like I'm having a rough day and know it can or it's already ruining my mood, I often choose within myself to find a reason to be grateful, smile, and keep going.
All photos are mine.
