"How are you always so cheerful?"
Simple, I choose to be happy. I am just like you. I have my moments where I just feel off. I feel I am not happy. I feel not whole at certain moments. I used to dissociate and not live in the moment, yet be hyper successful in what I was doing. I had no memories of those successes, though, and never appreciated or lived in the moment as I wished I had. My body was in a constant fight, flight, or freeze sequence, but I learned how to operate in that heightened state anyway. It was not healthy, though effective. It took me years to counteract. So when I have moments where I feel off or am in my head too much, I ask myself how to get back on track and feel fulfilled in the moment I am in. Anyway, that's a little insight on me. Some of you may relate.
Now how does this relate to being cheerful? Simple, our emotions are ours. We can choose to feel how we want. All we choose is how we react to the things we cannot control. Many of you know this but it is much easier said than done. How do we not let something bother us in the moment and look past it? How can we be happy? Think about it (I heard this once and liked it) - if someone cursed you out, it may bother you. Now...have that person curse you out in a different language, and you would not care because you would not understand it anyway. Our perception of how we let things effect us matters.
There are also scientific studies on how if we tell ourselves we enjoy something, even if we do not, then our brain will begin to release neurochemicals at a more effective rate and we will feel more motivated to do those things. For example, I HATE going to the gym. Why? Two reasons. I had a bad past with the gym and because I know that if I do not destroy my body in the gym, I do not feel accomplished. So everyday, it is like me staring down a dragon (a dragon I am going to slaughter might I add). I also HATE running lol. When I run, I will tell myself I love it. Then, it gets a little easier and my body feels a little lighter. Sometimes it is hard to tell myself I love hack squat with leg press supersets, but I tell myself I LOVE what it will do for me if I complete the task. It will make me stronger and change my body the way I want it. Because I choose to make my mind appreciate the struggle I am living in with that moment, it makes it easier for me. It makes it fulfilling. Then, I limp out of the gym like baby Bambi trying to walk.
We must choose to be happy. You can acknowledge that you have chosen to let the day get you down. But remember you can fix that and say your day is going to be better. Tell yourself that if you keep your chin up and think the day will be better, it will help your evening to be better. Tell yourself you enjoy the moment. If you can't, then tell yourself why enjoying the moment will HELP you for the future; even if the future is 5 minutes from now or the next day or the next year.
Choose to be happy. You choose every other feeling. So why not choose that. And if you feel you can't because the day has been lousy, then tell yourself why enduring the moment you're in will HELP you for the coming future. See how when you manipulate your mind, you begin to feel alright. You begin to feel happy.
Lastly, if you always are negative, complaining, and filling your mind with negativity, then do not be surprised when you're unhappy. I have been there. I think we all have at a point. For every negative thought, give yourself two positive thoughts and begin to see your life change. One example I can give you here is when I run (I hate running because I overthink too much) I make myself do a sprint for every negative thought that goes through my head so I have to focus on the moment, then I tell myself I love it. Sure enough, the consistent pace becomes easier and the negative thoughts subside....probably because I do not want to keep adding sprints lol, but also because I replace positivity in my midst of negativity.
Anyway, choose happiness. Manipulate that lazy bone in your body or that negative nancy that's on your shoulder. Be a positive pauline and spread joy without expecting anything in return. I have no doubt you will find some sort of fulfillment.
Have a wonderful week everyone! Osu!
