The other day while I was driving the New Jersey Turnpike, the wheels in my head couldn't help but spin. For some reason, I started to decode the word enjoy, and I really started to think about what it really meant.

When you go to a restaurant, the waitress naturally says "enjoy" as she walks away from your table covered with food.

It seems like the word has been overused so much that it has lost its meaning. I came up with my own definition that the word literally means to find the joy. Easy enough!

In whatever you're doing, you need to start finding the perks in everything so that you can live a happier, more defined and fulfilled life. Yes, that includes working out, clocking in, and cleaning the house. And if there aren't much of any perks in the given scenario, find ways to make your experience more enjoyable.

Listen to music, break the silence, bring snacks, get plenty of sleep the night before, drive the more scenic route.

Think about this for a moment. Our time on this Earth is oddly short and limited. We were given so many blessings, both obvious and hidden. But ironically, we don't take the time out to appreciate them enough. We don't add up the little things that make our life better as much as we count everything that's going wrong.

Humans find something to complain about or talk badly on. "The weather right now is killing my mood and ruined my plans." Get back inside and watch a damn movie. You don't have it that bad.

My point being is that people like to create their own realities, whether it's for the worse or the better. By constantly pointing out the bad, your life will be manifested by the bad because that is what you have chosen to focus on.

Don't be an energy sucker! Spend your precious energy wisely and do something that feels good for a change.

From my experience working in customer service, I can say that whenever I ask how my customers' days are going, most of them respond with a "could be better", a weak "fine", an annoyed "tired", a breathy "we'll see", or a shitty "so far". It's rare to hear that they're having a good day, so I proceed to respond with a hopeful "try to enjoy the rest of your day" to boost them up.

At least I try.

I get it. Not everything is peachy keen, but you don't have to wear your negative attitude. It spreads and it's truly depressing.

If I come in contact with someone, including strangers, I feel that making them smile, laugh, and/or giving them advice for the day can uplift them in unpredictable ways. By doing so, I'm creating a more memorable experience. Connecting with others always feels good.

By just checking up on our fellow human family every now and then, it can really make life more enjoyable. Striking a conversation with the old woman sitting next to you on your flight can make it a bit more interesting and comfortable. Or not. My point being, try. Even if it is awkward, you'll have a story to tell.

Instead of eating indoors at a restaurant on a nice day, request to eat outside. Same thing if you're at your house. Take it outside!

This past year, I've been making the effort to be more of a morning person by looking forward to breakfast, a hot cup of coffee, and reading a chapter from a self-help book that's full of affirmations. Opening the curtains to let the light in and then listening to happy tunes could only mean a stress-free, warm welcoming to my day.

Before I started to work on this, I would wake up to a gloomy room due to the darkening blinds that I thought made me happy. After struggling forever to get out of bed, I didn't want to hear or make any noise. Being greeted by my chipper mom meant that I was going to immediately shut her down with an "I don't feel like talking."

I discovered every reason to hate mornings, making it even harder to wake up each day. During my senior year of high school, I was almost late pretty much every day due to my attitude.

I made a choice to make my mornings better, even though the thought of not being able to sleep in is still unsettling. But hey, I tried and still am.

Do what you can to make your life more pleasurable and you will see the results. Dance, sing, write, read, learn the piano like you've always wanted but didn't have enough time or money for lessons. Do something that makes you happy and find that silver lining.

You might as well find the joy, am I right?