“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.” - King Solomon
Have you ever woken up one morning and just felt like you hadn’t have bothered? Like you might as well crawl back into bed, because the day is only going to get worse from here, and the toaster still needs fixing, and by the time you get into the car the traffic is going to be awful, and you still need to change that tyre that feels funny, and, and, and….
Let’s face it, if your thought pattern every morning runs like this then you need to change it.
Who wants to willingly live in misery and despair for the rest of their days? Yet that’s what some people do! They know, deep down, that they can change things, but they don’t want to put the effort in to make those changes. They’re not very cheerful about life.
If you can’t be cheerful about life itself, then you can’t be cheerful about anything else.
Be Cheerful!
I might sound like an idiot for the next few sentences, but why should you be cheerful? Why should you wake up with a smile on your face, getting out of bed almost immediately, and striding through your day tackling any problems and challenges that may arise? Well, think about it. If you want to be full of gloom then just keep at the negative thoughts, stay in bed wandering why the world doesn’t just stop spinning and get it over with. But if you want to be happy and cheerful, and let’s face it who doesn’t, then start being more cheerful by choice.
Happiness isn’t something that comes to you, you have to choose it.
Now, the best question you might have on your mind is, “If I have to choose to be happy and cheerful, then what can I find to be cheerful about? My life sucks!”. If so, then relax! There’s plenty to be cheerful about, if you know where to look.
Think about it, look around you, stop for a moment and take it all in. What do you see? What do you feel, hear, sense? What thoughts run through your mind when you take a moment to stop whatever you’re doing, and recognise the world for what it is? When I do this, I immediately become cheerful for a lot of things, some of which are these.
1. Health
One thing that all human beings can connect with each other is our health. If we’re alive, then we have health, no matter what shape or form it’s in. In that respect, we are all healthy, we are full of health. Even if we look at someone who is terminally ill, we can still see a glimmer of life and health within them, no matter how dull the flame.
The vast majority of us are reasonably healthy, and we don’t suffer from any major diseases or issues. So why is it that we complain about a minor niggle like an upset stomach? I’ve seen people who have suffered tremendously through life, and yet they keep smiling, they don’t complain about their poor lot. They’re being cheerful because they still have health.
Some of us take our health for granted, and we only realise how important it is when we fall ill. This is not the way to move through life. Be aware that you have good health, and embrace it as a reason to be cheerful.
2. Family
Most of us have family members still alive. If there is one group of people who will love you more than others, it’s your family. Family is very important in this world, despite what you may read or hear about broken families. Families possess unconditional love, families always look out for you when others are against you.
And the best part? Whatever happens in life, your family remains your family.
From your parents and grandparents, to your brothers and sisters, to your children and grandchildren, your family is your cornerstone in life. If you have them around then be thankful, for we have all lost family members before, and we all recognise the pain and grief that it burdens on us. Be thankful, and be cheerful, for your family are the one group of people who will love you no matter what.
3. Security
Most people worry about security issues the most, such as the bill they have to pay, the roof that might be leaking, the insurance that’s due up. If you’re one of these people, then ask yourself this, “Are you financially secure? Are you living within your means?” If the answer is “no”, then move to do something about it, but if the answer is “yes”, then realise this fact:
You are much better placed than people who are burdened with excessive debts and who struggle to make ends meet.
Look it up, and your financial security is better off than you think. You aren’t as broke as you thought. So be happy and cheerful about it! You have a roof over your head, you’re in good condition. Things aren’t so bad as they appear.
4. Dreams
Do you have something good to look forward to? Of course you do, even your wildest, most outrageous dreams give you hope. Are you looking forward to that holiday by the beach, or perhaps a night out with your loved one? Maybe even a promotion or raise? Then this is something to be cheerful about! Focus on the good times that lie ahead, and start working towards making them a reality.
Whatever you wish for, plan it out, and have fun doing so. This is your future, what can make you more cheerful than that? People with plans do better than those with no plans.
5. Life
Do you want to know the ultimate reason for being cheerful? If nothing else, the one reason that can get you out of bed in the morning and put a smile on your face? The ultimate reason is this: being alive.
This may come as a shock to you, but your life could end the next day. There’s a 99.9% chance that it won’t, but it could, because we don’t have any control over it. We can’t choose when we die. With that in mind, can you see how precious life really is? How blessed we are to be able to do all that we can do? This is life, the ultimate gift of the universe. Why not be happy about that?
Stuart Mills
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