A few days ago a friend asked me how I am so positive all the time. I immediately had the answer in my head, but quickly shoved it out of the way for fear of the reaction I might have received. Instead, I credited my positive attitude with the large amount of coffee I had consumed that morning (while coffee certainly does improve my attitude, it is not the underlying cause of my positivity).

The real reason for my positive attitude and general happiness is not merely a thing, such as coffee, but rather it's a who. I am a firm believer that having a strong relationship with God is the underlying source of my happiness.

I have noticed that my attitude seems to change a bit depending on whether or not I have made time for Jesus each day. I think it is more noticeable for myself when I haven't been making enough time for him. With school just starting up again, I have continuously been making excuses for my lack of effort in nurturing my relationship with Jesus lately. This lack of effort on my part has taken a serious toll on my positive attitude.

While I don't find myself getting crabby often, I have recently noticed myself over thinking little things and getting stressed about things out of my control. I wondered why my mood had been shifting when there didn't seem to be a reason for negativity in my life. Finally, I put two and two together and realized that I hadn't spent any quality time with Jesus throughout the past couple of weeks other than going to mass on Sunday. The answer seemed so simple, and that's because it is!

Think about your best friend. It's probably someone you spend a lot of time with, and when you don't spend a lot of time with that person how do you feel? You miss them! I hadn't really talked to Jesus for about a week straight and I missed the heck out of him. My heart knew that there was something missing, but my mind had yet to put it together.

On top of that, I think it is important to realize that in not filling that open space in my life with Jesus and goodness, I was unknowingly making myself vulnerable to the devil. By leaving a space that is reserved for Jesus open, I allowed the devil to fill it with fear, stress, and doubt.

The moment I realized what was happening, I prayed a Hail Mary and asked to be guided back to Jesus, a friend I know I can trust, and a friend who deserves more than I will ever be able to give him.

After saying this prayer and asking for Mary's guidance, I immediately felt comforted. With some reflection, I understood more fully what my cause of happiness and positivity is. My joy is not caused by the abundant blessings I have received from God, although those blessings are a great reason to be happy. Rather, it goes deeper than that.

My joy comes from the personal relationship that I have with Jesus. Jesus loves me perfectly, and that's all I need. So next time someone asks me why I'm in such a good mood all the time, or why I am so positive, I will be able to say with confidence that it is because I am loved by Jesus.