My secret to happiness

This has been one insane year for me. Well, the last quarter of the year has been insane for me. I will put this out there... In the last quarter of the year I ended a toxic relationship (several actually), got into a car accident, became briefly homeless, and acquired a second job. But, in going through all of those things... I reconciled with my long-estranged family, established new healthy relationships, and shed the last ties I had to my previous unhappy life. It all goes to show there are always good things with the bad.

Call me an eternal optimist.
Call me idealistic.
Call me positive.

I've somehow managed to make it through this year keeping a smile on my face 90% of the time, laughing and joking on a daily basis. I'll let you in on a secret. The secret to happiness is perspective.

Sure, it's been said before. I'm sure all of your friends, family, etc. have said it to you. But let's be real. 99% of the problems you're going through? Yeah, someone has already been there and done that. So little things like having to purchase a new car, ending a relationship that isn't really good for you anyway, finding a new place to live, etc. are just that. Little things.

You know you're going to pull through. You know you're going to eventually get done the things that need to be done. You know you're going to eventually get to exactly where you need to be. So why stress it?

Close your eyes, put in the work, and let the benefits roll in. Take the obstacles in stride, and remember it's all balanced. Sometimes, difficulties arise to keep us in check... You'd never know how sweet honey is without knowing the bitterness of vinegar.

Keep smiling!