“You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that, I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.”
In math, adding positive numbers results in an even bigger number. However, the moment we begin to introduce negative numbers, the sum total decreases. This is a basic mathematical concept. And this quote, by Maya Angelou, reminds us that a similar principle applies to life. Who we are is the sum of everything around us. What we see, hear, eat, smell, know, remember–it all adds up to make us think, act, and do things a certain way. Continuing on with imagining life as an equation, consider how you can make all the things that influence your life more positive. Remember, you don’t necessarily have to do something big (ie. add…
“Every day may not be a good day but there is good in every day.”
This quote, by Alice Morse Earle, reminds us that it’s important to first understand that every day may not be a good day. Some days bring bad news, disappointment, frustration, physical pain, or emotional distress. There is a host of life challenges out there. But while we understand every day may not be good, we should also understand that there is still good in every day. The two are not mutually exclusive. It is, in fact, possible to find good in not so good days. This realization can be somewhat liberating. We become less focussed on making life “perfect”–feeling constantly unhappy and disappointed. Instead, we’re more inclined to do our…
“Rise above the storm, and you will find the sunshine.”
When we look at a sky covered with thick dark clouds during one of those storms in the middle of the day, it’s easy to imagine the sun is no longer there or that it has ceased to shine for a moment. However, the sun is still there–shining no more nor no less. It’s only hidden. This quote, by Mario Fernández, reminds us to rise above the storm to find the sunshine. Literally speaking, that is exactly what we’d have to do to find it. Above the storm clouds carrying rain and lightning, the sun shines on. Figuratively speaking, the same applies to life. The simple joys and beauty of…
“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”
Sometimes we expect joy to come and go as our life experiences dictate. It’s either there or it’s not depending if something good happens or if we experience a stroke of bad luck or unfortunate event. However, joy isn’t that simple. For instance, a great thing can happen, but that doesn’t mean joy automatically follows suit if you aren’t feeling grateful. On the flip side, something horrible can happen, but you find the silver lining, and joy emerges from the pain. This quote, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, reminds us that joy doesn’t just happen to us. While it’s not always easy, we can and should always make the effort to…
“To be upset over what you don’t have is to waste what you do have.”
This quote, by Ken Keyes Jr., reminds us to count our blessings. Moreover, it reminds us that the more time and energy we spend being upset about the things we don’t have, the less time and energy we have left to appreciate what’s already right in front of us. Therefore, those things almost feel wasted. When they’re not noticed in the first place, we fail to tap into the joy of having them.
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Whether good or bad, it’s yet another day; and tomorrow can be better
“There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures.”
“The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need tomorrow.”
“Happy people build their inner world; unhappy people blame their outer world.”
Sometimes we’re not in control of the things that happen around us in our outer world. However, what we can control is our inner world. This quote, by T. Harv Eker, is about finding your happy place on the inside–creating happiness within. Building your inner world means building a barrier between you and everything else happening around you. This can allow you to create a more stable sense of happiness and peace. So instead of blaming your outer world for your circumstances, you’re able to find strength within to face them.
“Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.”
This quote, by Jack Kornfield, reminds us to make peace with the fact that everything that has a beginning has an ending. Remembering this helps us accept when good things come to an end. Meanwhile, it helps us cope when bad things, or unfortunate events, present themselves. This simple fact of life is key to having a steady sense of peace and happiness.
“Anything that makes you weak–physically, intellectually and spiritually–reject it as poison.”
A poison is anything that can cause illness or death to a living thing. This quote, by Swami Vivekananda, helps us recognize that toxic people, environments, and situations are poisonous. They make us weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually. We would undoubtably reject poison in its tangible form. However, we don’t always reject it in the other ways it can appear in our lives. So, let us remember to reject the things that cause similar harm–The things that ill or deaden our body, mind, and soul.
“If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you’ll never enjoy the sunshine.”
This quote, by Morris West, is about always anticipating the worst. But always having a mindset that something’s about to go wrong is like always “waiting for the storm.” In the meantime, we don’t enjoy the sunshine now. So when there is no storm and things are good, let’s not waste the sunshine worrying that something bad is about to happen. In doing so, the things that should make us happy now are either ignored or overshadowed with worry. Let’s do our best to enjoy the sunshine when it comes. And when there is a storm, let’s learn to “dance in the rain.”
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
So you’ve resolved to be “happier,” but it seems like a daunting task. This quote, by Omar Khayyam, reminds us that our life is composed of moments in time. We move from one moment to another; and together, those moments make up our life. Therefore, if we can concentrate on being happier for each moment, we’ll find that being happier, in general, is achievable. We’ll find that the more we practice this with each moment, the easier it gets. Moreover, the more moments of happiness we can find, the happier our life can become overall. Consider the following questions: Are you living in the moment? How can you make the…
