Something bizarre has been happening to me – something so bizarre, and so wonderful, that I wish it upon each and every one of you reading this.
As I sit at my desk, it’s nearly midnight (which, I must mention, still feels even later with the time change). Nothing is out of the ordinary. I hear the white-noise of my fan whirling. I hear the familiar, and satisfying, sounds of my fingers typing away at the keyboard. My room smells vaguely of lavender and good vibes.
“Good vibes,” I realize, is the bizarre thing that has been happening to me. Although, yes, I admit I have clumps of homework and probably could be adding another internship application to the list, but as I sit here in silence, I can’t help but realize how good life is.
Throughout the semester, I have rid myself of anything and everything that didn’t make me happy. I will tell you this was nowhere near easy, but sitting here right now, I’ve never been this happy. I now make myself happy – self-generated happiness (call it what you will). And I wish “self-generated happiness” on every one of you.
Are you truly happy?
Sit by yourself and reflect:
Reflect on the things in your life – the experiences and the people that have shaped you into the person you are today. Reflect on the people who have positively affected you, but also the people who have negatively affected you. They have brought you experience, which only makes you stronger – thus, they (surprisingly) have also positively affected you. Reflect and be grateful. Post-Thanksgiving social media posts are full of giving thanks… But, today? Be thankful today, and tomorrow, and the next day. Be thankful everyday.
Being thankful, I argue, is what leads to happiness. Maybe once you start practicing gratitude, you’ll be so preoccupied in optimism that the negative things will take timidly take a back seat. And you’ll be surrounded by all of the great things you have in your life, so…
Dear readers,
I believe that deep down, you already know how to make yourself happy. So I will not sit here and tell you what to do or what not to do, but I will tell you the following:
You will find yourself in a position, as I find myself in now, where you literally can not remember what is wrong in the world. Or what has hurt you, or what continues to hurt you. And, when you find this spot? Please, visit often.
As I finish this article and urge you all to go make yourself happy, I grab a Hershey’s Kiss (Note to self: Move the candy to reduce temptation) and will leave with this:
“Your happiness will not come to you. It will only come from you.” -Ralph Marston