5 Things to Be Happy About Today
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| High School Graduation Photos: If that isn't a reason to be happy, then I don't know what is! |
"A GRATEFUL HEART IS A MAGNET FOR MIRACLES." -UNKNOWN
How true this is. I have been told over and over, that it is my choice whether or not to be happy. As a person who suffers from chronic depression, this concept is one that I have too often struggled to grasp. How can I choose to be happy? How can I sit here, feeling so horrible inside, and all of a sudden just not be sad anymore? How? There is another quote, one by Jack H. Goasland, that goes as follows: "How many people in this world pursue happiness but find it eludes them? ... They go abroad in search of this rare gift but fail to see that evidence of it is all around them: the source is within." Okay, so is happiness within me, or is around me? Well, I have come to believe that it is both.
I have put together this list to prove, that even though at times it seems that the world is falling apart around me, there will always be something to be happy about. There will always be a reason for me to say, "I am going to be happy today." I hope that to all those who are reading this, they will realize the same.
Reason 1: God is Good
Whether one believe's in God or not, this is applicable. We live in such a beautiful world, filled with marvelous things. For me, when I see all of these wonderful things, I can't help but believe. I see the beauty that fills the sky as the sun shines through my window every morning. I see the colorful details of the butterfly that flies along beside me as I am taking my lunch time walk. I see the way my husband smiles at me, and holds me close, and I think: there is no way life could be so good without a loving Father in heaven. Even in those moments of despair, as I lie in bed wondering if things will ever get better, I pray and am reminded of the peace the spirit brings. I know He loves me, and that alone holds all the reasons to be happy today.
Reason 2: Family
Everyone has a family. There are very few exceptions to that statement. When I say family, I am not just talking family by blood. Family can be so much more than that. Sure, our blood family is extremely important, but not everyone has that, at least not to where that family can be a reason for happiness. Personally, I have been blessed with an amazing blood family, and an amazing family beyond that. This support system, even when they all seem so far away, will always be something for me to smile about, because I know, that even when I feel like I am, I am not alone.
Reason 3: Education
As far as our education system here in America goes, ours is far from perfect, but really, at least it's there. We've got a good thing going here. Sometimes that can be hard to see when we watch other countries, and compare our failures to their successes. I think this can be a good thing, as we all are trying to progress and grow, but I think sometimes we forget to look at the positives as well. There are still countries without hardly any schooling at all. The fact that we can even go to school is something to be grateful for. I love how many opportunities there are for people to learn so many different things. I have options. If I really want something, I know it is attainable. There may be struggles, and I may change my mind multiple times along the way, but at least I can change my mind, and at least I have something more to live for than just putting food on the table.
Reason 4: Trials and the Opportunity to Grow
This can be a hard one to be happy about sometimes, but I think this may very well be one of the most important, simply because it is all encompassing. Trials come from everywhere. Our families can cause trials, our friends can cause trials, our loving Father in heaven can even cause trials, but are they really so bad? Yeah, maybe they are. I don't know anyone else's struggles, not for myself, but I do know my own. I know that sinking feeling of, there's no way this will ever get better, there's no way anyone else has it any worse (even though I am very aware that I could have it much, much worse). I can honestly say, though, I have always gotten through it. My trials have made me stronger. They have taught me things I would never have learned otherwise, and ultimately, through my trials I have received some of my greatest blessings. So, even in my trials, here is just one more thing I have to be happy about today.
Reason 5: Everything Has A Season
Life on earth is short. Sometimes unbearably so, but there are also those moments that seem like they drag on forever. There are those times that we wonder if we will ever get through it, but thankfully, everything has it's season. This too shall end. I am grateful for this in both good times and bad. I know that the bad times will always come to an end, and in the good times, I know that there will always be something more to look forward to. Life is full of so many wonderful things. Marriage, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so forth is only one example of the meany seasons life has to offer. In the grand scheme of things, I know I will never be bored. There is always something new, and exciting, just around the corner for both the adventurous at heart, and the not so adventurous at heart. I love this, and this is something I have to be happy about today.
Already, by taking the time to notice the good things in life, I have noticed a change in myself over the past few days (I did not write this all in one day). I have noticed that as I do so, it becomes easier for me to move on, or get through the set backs I face in life. In writing this list, I tried to focus on things I can be grateful for all the time, so no matter what day I read this, I have a whole five things I can always be grateful for today, for "a grateful heart [truly] is a magnet for miracles."
For more About Me, visit http://blog.allthingstristen.com/search/label/About%20Me
For more Health & Fitness, visit http://blog.allthingstristen.com/search/label/Health%20%26%20Fitness
For more Religion, visit http://blog.allthingstristen.com/search/label/Religion
I have put together this list to prove, that even though at times it seems that the world is falling apart around me, there will always be something to be happy about. There will always be a reason for me to say, "I am going to be happy today." I hope that to all those who are reading this, they will realize the same.
Reason 1: God is Good
Whether one believe's in God or not, this is applicable. We live in such a beautiful world, filled with marvelous things. For me, when I see all of these wonderful things, I can't help but believe. I see the beauty that fills the sky as the sun shines through my window every morning. I see the colorful details of the butterfly that flies along beside me as I am taking my lunch time walk. I see the way my husband smiles at me, and holds me close, and I think: there is no way life could be so good without a loving Father in heaven. Even in those moments of despair, as I lie in bed wondering if things will ever get better, I pray and am reminded of the peace the spirit brings. I know He loves me, and that alone holds all the reasons to be happy today.
Reason 2: Family
Everyone has a family. There are very few exceptions to that statement. When I say family, I am not just talking family by blood. Family can be so much more than that. Sure, our blood family is extremely important, but not everyone has that, at least not to where that family can be a reason for happiness. Personally, I have been blessed with an amazing blood family, and an amazing family beyond that. This support system, even when they all seem so far away, will always be something for me to smile about, because I know, that even when I feel like I am, I am not alone.
Reason 3: Education
As far as our education system here in America goes, ours is far from perfect, but really, at least it's there. We've got a good thing going here. Sometimes that can be hard to see when we watch other countries, and compare our failures to their successes. I think this can be a good thing, as we all are trying to progress and grow, but I think sometimes we forget to look at the positives as well. There are still countries without hardly any schooling at all. The fact that we can even go to school is something to be grateful for. I love how many opportunities there are for people to learn so many different things. I have options. If I really want something, I know it is attainable. There may be struggles, and I may change my mind multiple times along the way, but at least I can change my mind, and at least I have something more to live for than just putting food on the table.
Reason 4: Trials and the Opportunity to Grow
This can be a hard one to be happy about sometimes, but I think this may very well be one of the most important, simply because it is all encompassing. Trials come from everywhere. Our families can cause trials, our friends can cause trials, our loving Father in heaven can even cause trials, but are they really so bad? Yeah, maybe they are. I don't know anyone else's struggles, not for myself, but I do know my own. I know that sinking feeling of, there's no way this will ever get better, there's no way anyone else has it any worse (even though I am very aware that I could have it much, much worse). I can honestly say, though, I have always gotten through it. My trials have made me stronger. They have taught me things I would never have learned otherwise, and ultimately, through my trials I have received some of my greatest blessings. So, even in my trials, here is just one more thing I have to be happy about today.
Reason 5: Everything Has A Season
Life on earth is short. Sometimes unbearably so, but there are also those moments that seem like they drag on forever. There are those times that we wonder if we will ever get through it, but thankfully, everything has it's season. This too shall end. I am grateful for this in both good times and bad. I know that the bad times will always come to an end, and in the good times, I know that there will always be something more to look forward to. Life is full of so many wonderful things. Marriage, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so forth is only one example of the meany seasons life has to offer. In the grand scheme of things, I know I will never be bored. There is always something new, and exciting, just around the corner for both the adventurous at heart, and the not so adventurous at heart. I love this, and this is something I have to be happy about today.
Already, by taking the time to notice the good things in life, I have noticed a change in myself over the past few days (I did not write this all in one day). I have noticed that as I do so, it becomes easier for me to move on, or get through the set backs I face in life. In writing this list, I tried to focus on things I can be grateful for all the time, so no matter what day I read this, I have a whole five things I can always be grateful for today, for "a grateful heart [truly] is a magnet for miracles."
For more About Me, visit http://blog.allthingstristen.com/search/label/About%20Me
For more Health & Fitness, visit http://blog.allthingstristen.com/search/label/Health%20%26%20Fitness
For more Religion, visit http://blog.allthingstristen.com/search/label/Religion
I love reading your blog. One thing to always remember, that when the depression feels so heavy and one's heart can't even define gratitude, it is time to get help. And it is ok! I am grateful for doctors and needed medication to get us through those times when what we do on our own is just not enough. You are a beautiful writer. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThanks Auntie :) Love you!
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