10 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT
Family: Whether it be your grandparents, parents, brothers,
sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great aunt… Family is unique to each
and every person. You cannot create your family and as you grow older, so do
they. Be happy you have family, some
do not!
Love: Love is an amazing thing. Many people use the word love
freely and many cherish it. Never take love for granted. Be happy
to love and be loved, because you are loved!
Food: The simplest things in life are sometimes the things we take
for granted the most; food, water, family, friends, education, freedom… (Basically
half my list). People all over the US do not have the pleasure of eating a hot
meal at night. Be happy you can.
Freedom: To be an American citizen and live a life with freedom is
an accomplishment in itself. Your elders have given you an amazing gift. Be happy you can use that freedom in many
ways.
Education: You can come from a poor community with minimal access
to high education or you can come from a well-off family that forces you to continue
your education. In today’s society, we need that education to get many jobs
paying minimum wage. Be happy we have
so many options for assistance. It is possible. It won’t be easy, but it’s
possible.
Water: One of the most basic things in life; water. As a society we
often take for granted the water we have readily available. We waste water as
if nobody is in need. Remember the homeless; mothers, children, fathers,
veterans- wounded at heart on the street begging for food and water. Be happy to have fresh water available
almost any time!
Electricity: This seems so silly, but I am extremely happy to have
electricity. Every time our power goes out, it seems like we look at each other
with a dumb-found look. It could be 8am or 8pm and we don’t know what to do.
Why? We are extremely dependent on electricity; cooking, watching tv, charging
your phone, lighting your house, grooming yourself, cleaning your carpet… Be happy you have access to electricity and
remember those who don’t have it because they can’t.
Faith: Faith is a huge part of my life. I believe everyone has
Faith of some sort, it is just a matter of what kind. In all reality, it
shouldn’t matter what kind of faith you have to anyone but yourself. I have a
tattoo saying “faith” to remind myself that everything will be okay and to have
faith in myself, the Lord (if you wish), family, war… whatever you are
struggling with. Be happy you have
the choice to choose your faith, if any. Many don’t have a choice.
Friends: True friends are far and beyond these days. Our society
has become so in tune with social media and wanting everyone to “like” them.
What about a good ole’ barbecue with the best of friends? Do not ever take for
granted your true friends and if you go through the heartbreak of being betrayed
trust by one of those friends, have faith. It will get better. There are still
great people that will make true friendship worth the wait. Be happy you have friends. It is a lonely
world alone.
Pets: It may seem silly, but my dog, Reggie, is my fur baby. He
means the world to my husband and I and we are so happy to have him a part of
our life. We do not have children (yet) but in the moment we are enjoying
Reggie and all the joys he brings us. I honestly never thought I could love an
animal the way I love him. He is a bundle of joy. It is easy to take for
granted having a pet. They basically have no choice where they live, what they
eat or drink, what toys they get, what family they go to… Be happy you have all those choices and to
have a pet that many dream of having.
