1. Start and end my day with the Lord.
God woke me up this morning. Plain and simple. He could have taken me in my sleep but He didn't. He blessed me with another chance to serve and glorify Him. And that's exactly what I am going to do. Starting my day off with the Lord means starting my day off right.
"Don't forget to pray today because God didn't forget to wake you up this morning."
"God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself because it is not there. There is no such thing." -CS Lewis
2. Pray daily.
Speaking to my God isn't reserved for just mornings and right before bed. I'm not obligated to ONLY thank Him when there is food in front of me. I should constantly be asking Him to reveal Himself and guide me throughout the day. Prayer is a constant thing. It should never cease. Prayer doesn't have to be a long, eloquent speech. It can be short and simple because you just wanted to talk to Him. I don't want to reserve a time for Him and that be it. I don't do that with my friends so why should I with God??
"Always pray and never give up. -Luke 18:1"
3. Quit Comparing.
I have a terrible habit of comparing myself to others who are (in my mind) better off than me. I'm 24, living at home, financially unstable, and still in school. Yet, I see others who are younger beginning their lives on their own. So I can't help but think, "What did I do wrong?" or "What's wrong with me? I'm a loser." No. That is a wrong state of mind. We all go through different struggles and situations. My story is MINE. And as long as I'm working toward my goals and making progress that's all that matters. I shouldn't lose hope because of the time it is taking me to finish.
"Be confident. Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be something we aren't. Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it is only when you accept everything you are - and aren't - that you will truly succeed."
4. Find good in every person, thing or situation.
There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. ALWAYS. And I think I forget this because I'm so wrapped up in the negative things. STOP.....be positive. Even if people make fun, I will still be positive because I will be happy. The world will look more beautiful.
"Think the BEST of each other, especially of those you say you love. Assume the good and doubt the bad." -Jeffrey R. Holland
5. No more assuming or expecting.
This is one major aspect of my life that gets me in a lot of trouble and causes the majority of my unhappiness. When I don't know what's going on or a reasoning behind someones actions I immediately assume the worst possible scenario which in turn drives me crazy and I begin to worry (for no reason) and, even worse, make false accusations! I make up these false stories in my head and it just crawls under my skin until I explode with rage. This could be because I have problems trusting others and I am very insecure. This will make you the most miserable person to live with. Also, expecting things out of others is just as bad. Because then I'm just let down and I get mad about something that I THOUGHT should have happened. Just because it didn't go my way doesn't make anything about a person or situation wrong. This is a concept I really need to drill in my brain. And it is going to take hard work and guidance from the Lord to overcome this one.
"Expectation is the root of all heartache."
6. Eradicate the word HATE from my vocabulary.
Because why not??? What good has that word ever done for anyone? It's a mean, negative word that shouldn't be used to hurt anyone...even if it is used jokingly. And needless to say, I've used it multiple times. I didn't feel any better afterwards either.
"If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." -1 John 4:20
"Open your mouth if only what you are about to say is more beautiful than silence." -Arabic proverb
7. Don't dwell on the past.
Now when I say this, I don't mean to never look back. You can learn a lot from your past. Plus, you can never go wrong in reminiscing about happy memories. I just always take it a little too far and begin to wish I had those days back or I even get embarrassed and cringe about things that happened years ago!! Think of the good days, smile about them, think of the mistakes and lessons learned and move on. The keyword here is DWELL.
"Oh yes the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it." -The Lion King
8. No more complaining.
All complaining does for me is bring me down. Complaining is such a negative act. Complaining about something isn't going to change the situation at hand. If I truly have a problem with something then I need to get up and change it....if I can't change it then leave it be. Complaining is a waste of energy. I think this quote by Voltaire is definitely on point.
"The longer we dwell on our misfortunes the greater is their power to harm us." -Voltaire
9. Let go and let GOD.
Boy, do I have a problem with letting things go. I struggle with that phrase "Don't sweat the small stuff." If something upsets me I want that person to know that they upset me. But you know, it never makes the situation better. I get mad, run my mouth, that person gets mad and a big argument begins.....over something so silly and small too. Sometimes it even turns into something completely different than what originally started it. So....let go of things and let God have control of not only the situation but that person who hurt me and me for letting it get to me so much.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." -Isaiah 26:3
"Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace."
10. Listen more, talk less.
This pretty much speaks for itself. When having a discussion, an argument, or if someone is just telling me a story...halfway through I stop listening because I get so eager to respond. Also, I talk....A LOT. Once I get started I don't shut up. (Obviously, this post is an example...sorry by the way).
"Stop listening with the intent to reply and start listening with the intent to understand." -Stephen Covey
"I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen." -Ernest Hemingway
11. Be kind.
Who am I to criticize people and their actions? Who am I to judge others for being who they are? Why do I have the right to point out other peoples flaws when I clearly have a plethora of my own? I want to speak only words of kindness. I want to encourage and compliment people. This simple act can make such a difference in your life. I am determined to be uplifting. I want to help others and, like Mother Teresa said, have people leave me feeling happier. I don't know what battles people are facing. And even so, the ONLY one that has the right to judge anyone is God.
"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh answer stirs up anger." -Proverbs 15:1
"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." -Mother Teresa
12. Be disciplined.
Oh how I struggle with this. I don't know why it is so hard for me. Maybe I'm just lazy. Or I make up way too many excuses then regret it later. Being disciplined and persistent will get things done. Areas I need to be disciplined in...umm, everything! From working out and eating better to school work to spending time with God.
"Good things come to those who wait. No. Good things come to those who work their butts off and never give up."
13. Laugh.
If at the end of the day I don't feel like I've laughed enough then I'm just gonna head on over to the humor section of Pinterst (that stuff is hilarious) or watch the Big Bang Theory or play with my dogs. Ending my day with laughter and the Lord....what could be better??? I think we all need more laughter in our lives. It will instantly make you happier. Find humor in everything.
"Laughter is timeless." -Walt Disney
14. Me time.
I am constantly texting others, on Facebook or Pinterest, or talking with family. I never take time to put all of those things away and do things for me. This is so important, yet I think a lot of us forget this concept. We are so consumed in helping others and sometimes feel guilty if we do spend quality time with ourselves. When I say "me time," I'm talking about working out (it makes me so much happier), eating better (I will have so much more energy), going on walks with my dogs (maybe, my dogs kind of stress me out when we go on walks...they are crazy), spending time outside (I love being outside, especially in the evenings), listening to music, reading a good book, etc.. These are just a few things I love that will instantly make me happier and feel at peace. Doing something for myself...everyday, that's what I plan to do.
"I have come to believe that caring for myself is not self indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival." -Audre Lorde
15. Breath more.
Deep breaths make everything better. When I'm anxious or worried taking deep breaths calm me down. I need to remember this.
"Breath in, breath out, move on." -Jimmy Buffet
16. Overuse "I love you."
Plain and simple. If I love someone, I need to tell them. I don't mean use it until it has no meaning on anyone and everyone. But to those that I truly love with all my heart, that I cherish, then why not tell them? They have a right to know that they are loved. Even if it is just little old me...someone loves them. I'm a firm believer in "Actions speak louder than words," but that doesn't mean words are useless. I not only want to show my love but tell them also.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." -1 Peter 4:8
So there ya have it! My road map to a happier life. There were so many more things I had listed but for your sake I decided to cut it down to the MAJOR things. The others will just fall into place. I want to look back at this post in and think "Wow, I've come a long way." I want to see just how happier I am because of this so called road map. I plan to print this out and keep copies in my backpack, Bible, purse, car, etc. So it is always with me and if I begin to lose faith or start to sink back into the darkness I'll be able to pull it out and remind myself of the important things. Heck, feel free to check up on me if you want. I wont be offended. Send me a text or Facebook message or comment on here and ask how I've been doing. If you are in a place similar to me then I encourage you to make your own personal list and start TODAY to be a happier version of you. CHOOSE HAPPY.
"God can restore what is broken and change it into something amazing. All you need is faith." -Joel 2:25
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