Ok, so you tried smiling...

You did it! I knew you could. How did it go? Did you find a special place? Smiling is the easiest way to start your happy life. So what if you don't feel like smiling?

Well I don't always feel like smiling either. Often, I just like to be alone. Which is completely understandable. Everyone needs time by themselves to process thoughts and feelings.  It is really important to understand yourself better. With understanding and acceptance comes peace.

I've always been rather hard on myself. I usually didn't like to think about things too long because they would become painful reminders of all the things I have done wrong in my life. It's important to think about things in a reasonable manner. "If I had taken a different direction then I might not have gotten in that wreck, then I wouldn't owe so much money and be in debt"... It isn't really helping yourself to use thought patterns like these. I mean, what can you do about it now? It's over, done with!

I've found myself falling into these holes of despair and sorrow more times than I'd like to admit. It's easy to think negatively, but if your negative all of the time than you cannot truly enjoy the good things in life!

So my solution? Well besides pointing out the problem to yourself.. I go by the reward system. If I'm stressed and at the end of my rope, I will take myself to lunch. I normally bring a lunch to save money, but sometimes a tiny splurge on a $5-10 lunch can make you feel better. I have a favorite restaurant that I only go to by myself. It's in a cute plaza shopping center, complete with fountain. Just being in the sunshine, getting a healthy happy lunch, makes me feel like I can finish the day. Because not everything is always going to be perfect, but it's all about your attitude and how you choose to deal with things.

Can't leave for lunch? Keep a small pick me up snack at your desk or money for the vending machine. Sometimes chewing a piece of gum or eating  chocolate can turn my mood in a 180. It's all about finding the right things for you! Things that work for one person might not work for you. Find out who you are!

Thinking about things with more positivity takes time and effort - a lot more effort for some people than others.  And that's ok, keep your head up and don't forget to smile!