1) Speak optimism into your life.
Be thankful for every new day you awake! This is a brand new chance to make life whatever you wish it to be. Tell yourself the day will be great from the moment you open your eyes, anticipate success immediately upon entering the classroom, and encourage productivity the second you clock into work. Negativity will only consume you if you let it.
2) Remember the future of possibilities.
If there are aspects of your life that you dislike, set goals for change and work toward them! Be motivated by the fact that you have the time and opportunity to change paths entirely if you wanted to. For circumstances that you have no control over–remember that life if unpredictable, random, and almost always beautiful. Be patient.
3) Consider the rest of the world–you’re blessed.
If you’re reading this right now, you have access to a computer. That alone classifies you as more privileged than 60% of the world. Somebody somewhere will always have it worse, harder, and more painful than you. For every bad situation, be grateful that it isn’t escalated to it’s full potential. For every good situation, be overjoyed that it’s yours. Every good thing, no matter how big or small, is a gift.
4) Give, give, give.
The key to experiencing true internal satisfaction is simple. Be a giver. There is nothing more rewarding than being the cause of someone else’s joy. The act of being as selfless as possible to put someone else’s needs before your own is irreplaceable. Giving is the definition of happiness. Whether it be love, support, finances, encouragement, a helping-hand–there is always something you have that someone else needs. Put this to the test and see for yourself. It’s magical.
5) Be passionate.
Find something that inspires you, and pursue it to no ends. This could be a hobby, a career, your family, your faith or all of the above. Let this passion burn in you, let it drive you, and let it identify you. This uncontainable love will get you through any obstacle life throws your way.
6) Choose happy.
Nobody can deprive you of the right to happiness. This is a lifestyle choice. The choice is yours.
“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything”