I read a quote recently that said, “Searching for happiness is like traveling the world to find your glasses when they are on your forehead.” I am a big believer that happiness is found within us. As someone who prefers warm weather, on these cold winter days I sometimes find it hard to feel happy. Or maybe I am smiling, but I can’t tell because my face is numb. Regardless, as I walk through the frigid air (or in any bad situation, really), there is an exercise I like to do. I like to make a list in my head of all the things I love and how happy I am when I experience these things. They make the unbearable cold just a little bit more bearable. If you aren't a fan of winter like myself, I definitely recommend doing this. It usually goes something like this:
*The cold wind causes a single tear to roll down my face*
*Sighs*
- Fuzzy socks
- Fireplaces
- Sleeping in
- Tea
- Big dogs
- Little dogs
- Arts and Crafts
- Getting all walk signs at crosswalks
- Finishing everything on your to-do list
- New shoes
- Buzzer-beaters
- Sunshine
- Mumford and Sons
- Class being unexpectedly canceled
- Finishing a really amazing book
- Starting a new book
- Ice cream
- Sledding
- Clothing/apparel/accessories with animals on them
- Fruit smoothies
- Gaelic Storm
- A really cool hat
- A brand new box of crayons
- Horses
- Green grass
- The kind of laughter that gives you an ab workout
- Board games
- Disney movies
- Rollercoasters
- Mac and Cheese
- Candid Photographs
- Quiet time
- Naps
- Cheesy, predictable 90s/early 2000s movies
- Trampolines
- The moon
- Popcorn
- Sunsets
- Friends
- Family
Just to name a few.
By this time, I have usually reached my destination, and the warmth of being inside greets me. My point is, in the moments that feel never-ending, even when walking in the brutal cold of January, bliss is inside of us. It can be easy to forget that even though it is freezing outside, at least I have a roof over my head to keep my safe and warm. I’m pretty lucky.
The day I realized that, I became infinitely more joyous than I had ever been. I stopped fighting, and everything just became easy. Nobody is in charge of my joy, and I am not in charge of theirs. Happy is all around us, and when we grasp it, it becomes effortless. Do not search for happiness—attract happiness. As someone very important to me once said, “If you search for happiness, it eludes you. If you attract happiness, it sticks to you like a magnet.” I promise that no matter how grim that outside winter may look, joy is living right beside you. Choose joy, it won't disappoint.
