You know what? Today was a great day. Did something really special happen? No. I mean except that last night the Penguins DID become the Back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions and all…but that’s really not the point. Today was a great day because I made it a great day all on my own. Which is what happiness is all about.
We can look at other’s Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter posts and think, “Wow, that is awesome. I wish that were me.” Or there’s the other, “I am so jealous of that.” However when we have those feelings, we often lose sight of what matters most…our own happiness. There is research that shows that there can be depression that comes out of envy of someone’s social media life. Things can also look peachy on social media and not always really be that way for that person in real life. I try to take a lot of social media posts with a grain of salt which doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy posting myself and liking the wonderful things that people do and see. I love seeing those posts, and I love seeing great things that people have accomplished because it is really by building people up that things get better for us.
Today was my first official Monday of summer vacation. I loved the endless possibilities that came along with that. I woke up at my normal time and went for a run before it got too hot. It was so peaceful, and a great way to start out my morning. Came home, put both air conditioners in the windows, showered, had some breakfast, started to clean a little, and contemplated about the rest of the day…all before 9am! I got checks together for the bank, got my letters ready to mail, and I set out! I ran my errands and decided it was time for a little pampering and went and got a gel manicure and some iced coffee. I headed for home and visited with a friend for over an hour and just caught up. I then got actually home and had some lunch, edited some pictures, and jammed out until it was time for my normal Monday night routine at the Y.
The energy I had today was amazing. It was something I never had last summer. My routine last year was to get up around 830 and walk the Rails to Trails. I am not knocking a good walk, because I do love being outside, but this year I ran. I woke up early just because and that is not something I usually do. At 11am I wondered why the clock didn’t say 3pm yet haha. Since January when I made all the changes to my diet and exercise routine, I have been even happier than I was before. There is something about setting out for goals and being able to attack them one small step at a time. It is what keeps me going for the half marathon in October. It is the thought that I can accomplish that goal, one run at a time.
I have changed since January. A lot of people don’t like change, but I welcomed this change with open arms. I have never been so satisfied and happy everyday that I wake up. I know that I am beyond blessed with the people that I surround myself with and the family unit that I have. I can appreciate the small things even more so now than ever before because I just see things differently.
I want everyone to feel this happy. I want everyone to experience the joy that is the satisfaction of just being excited to wake up and do something awesome. There is no better feeling when you have a great day for really no particular reason at all.
Comparison is the thief of joy they say. I agree wholehearted. Happiness is an inside job. External sources of happiness can be great, but they aren’t everything. It is when we look inward that we can really begin to appreciate the growth that we have made and the progress that is built upon everyday. The person in the mirror is the biggest critic.