It’s the line that everyone throws around when someone is sad, “Happiness is a choice.” Easier said than done, but yes, it is a choice. I know that, whenever I hear that line and I’m sad or angry, I tend to get even more sad and angry because I feel that the person is being inconsiderate to my feelings; they aren’t listening. However, these past couple months, I’ve learned to fall in love with life and become genuinely happy, even when life gets tough (for the most part).

I learned to forgive those who never apologized.

This has to be one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. But, at one point in time, I realized that holding onto the past and the past actions of others only made me bitter and unable to find happiness. Rather, I was seeking arguments and more reasons to not like this person. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and hope that the future will bring better times with that person. But you won’t be able to find those times if you hang on to their mistake.

I eliminated the negative people in my life.

Another that is easier said than done, but whenever I sit and cry about a friend, the good friends in my life continue to tell me that if a person makes me feel like that, they shouldn’t be in my life. It’s OK to think about yourself sometimes and end a friendship or relationship for the sake of your sanity. Just because you’ve been friends with someone for a long time, that doesn’t mean anything if they’re tearing you down. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard you cry, who make you forget you have your phone on you and who listen to and care for you.

Travel.

Travel travel travel. Travel as much as you possibly can, no matter where it is. Travel has helped me to truly begin to find myself. I have immersed myself in different cultures, people and sights. I’ve learned so much about the world that it makes me feel full and grateful. So, travel lots, learn lots, love lots.

Spend time outside.

I know, life is busy and it’s hard to find time. But, recently, I’ve tried to take even a half an hour out of my day to just breathe in fresh air and be alone with the wind. There is nothing more refreshing than this little alone time, surrounded only by the sounds of nature. Experience the sunset over the mountians and the sound of the ocean waves kissing the sand. You owe it to yourself.

Volunteer.

Volunteer? Who has that kind of time!? I probably don’t either, but I take out two hours a week to volunteer and it makes me feel like I’ve given something back to the world, making me feel better, and eventually more content and happy. Help someone. In reality, someone really does have it worse than you do right now, so help them.

Finding God.

(If you aren’t religious, feel free to ignore this one, or don’t, maybe God will help you). This is probably the main thing that has helped me become a happy person. Recently I have made an effort to find God more and more in my life and it has truly helped me. Knowing God is always having someone to talk to and guide you. The closer that I have gotten to my religion, the happier, more forgiving, more understanding, and more open-minded I have become.

So, I end with this. Happiness really is a choice. It is up to you to find happiness. Life is not easy, it never will be. But that is the beauty of it. You're still allowed to cry, feel sad and hate the world sometimes. But, remember, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Without pain, we wouldn’t know what the good felt like. Once we learn to take the bad and turn it around, we will learn to love our lives more and more. Count your blessings, love yourself, love others, be kind and be happy.