When you look up the word "happiness" online, you are given words like "contentment" or "pleasure." Although many people are okay with that definition, I would describe happiness as a choice. Much like choosing to wake up, brush your teeth, and go to work, happiness is completely controlled by us.
Recently, I watched a documentary on Netflix entitled "The Secret," which is about the law of attraction. This was interesting to me because I had heard of the concept prior to watching, but I wasn't exactly sure what it entailed. The law of attraction is all about your attitude and what you want to get out of life. If you are happy and put positive energy into the world, the world will give the good energy right back to you and if you are angry and put negative energy into the world, you'll receive negative energy. After watching this, I understood the concept but I didn't believe in it. I then decided to conduct an experiment: for a month, I would put positive energy into the world and see what energy I get back. Below are a few journal entries from that month.
Day 1
This morning I decided to wake up early and meditate. After I finished with my meditation, I made cinnamon rolls for my roommates and left them on the stove. I then began my morning routine and left for class earlier than normal. I felt great about my day until I was stuck in traffic and was late for class (even though I left earlier than normal). I'll have to try harder to clear my mind tomorrow.
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The rest of that week was filled with minor inconveniences like the first day, so I decided to leave the next six journal entries out. Basically, I woke up each morning and meditated, then I did something kind for my roommates (run the dishwasher, clean off the counter, etc.), and then I would leave for class early. I found that I was late to class everyday this first week, but how? I was leaving earlier than normal, so something wasn't working. It wasn't until the second week that I realized that I was afraid that I was going to be late to class, therefore I was.
Day 10
I wanted to try something different today, I still meditated as always, but instead of helping out around the house in the morning, I did after class. I left for class the same time as always and distracted myself with loud music (this way I wouldn't think about being late). I had a slow start to the morning, but I found that helping out with the apartment when I got home felt less of a chore and more of a kindness. My second class was cancelled today, probably just a coincidence.
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The next few days, I didn't stick to a routine because I wasn't sure if that would give off enough positive energy. Instead, I would rotate with different tasks that I saw fit for the day. One day I might compliment someone I saw, another I might leave a tip in the jar at the coffee shop, and I found that this method worked the best because I was constantly giving off positive energy. I found that it wasn't a formula, but a feeling.
Day 23
I ordered something from a food delivery service today and they included a free drink to try with my other snacks. Leading up to this moment, I helped a freshman track a bus that was going Downtown. I also began my day with meditation and a quick workout, I feel good about myself and I think the universe can sense that.
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The point of showing these entries was to show an improvement. Throughout my research, I wrote a short entry (like the three above) every day before I went to bed. At first, it felt like a chore, but after a while I began to look forward to writing about what happened that day. I found that when you give positive energy, you will receive a level of positive energy back. I don't know if it is linked to the law of attraction or not, but I enjoyed conducting this experiment and I recommend this to anyone who needs a little more positivity in their life.
