The Easiest Thing

Not too sure this is Self-Help, but I will try to explain how to almost always be happy. It has been working for me for a very long time and I hope my experience can help others.

The Pursuit of Happiness. Americans have a right to this. However, as Will Smith said in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness, 

"It was right then that I started thinking about Thomas Jefferson on the Declaration of Independence and the part about our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And I remember thinking how did he know to put the pursuit part in there? That maybe happiness is something that we can only pursue and maybe we can actually never have it. No matter what".

 I am not sure that I really agree with the last part of that. Happiness is definitely achievable, you just have to achieve it in your own way. Everyone is able to become happy. It is possible, trust me. It does not matter if you are white, black, rich, poor, old, or young. You can be happy. With this, I am hoping to try to get you there just a little bit faster.

The first step in all of this is to find something that you love. Whether it is cooking, painting, biking, or playing video games; you must find something enjoyable in life. Now that you have your activity, just do it. It sounds cheesy at first, but if you make room in your schedule to do something you love, it will make you so much happier. The road to happiness and the pursuit of it just became a bit easier and less bumpy for you. The one thing that you must remember however, is to not over do it. You can't just cook, or play video games. Then life becomes dull and boring. This brings up the second part of becoming happy; which is also the most important part.

This next step is the most important, but also the easiest. All it asks you to do is appreciate things around you. Go outside and just smell the world. Take everything in. Look at the trees around you and pay attention to the different hues of their leaves. See that small child running across the street trying to retrieve his dropped ball? Remember the times when you were innocent and care-free. Reflect on the world and try to find memories in everything you look at. Make new memories as well. Go in to new stores and explore previously foreign crevices of the world. Never let one day be the same as the last. After you have mastered this simple skill of appreciation, the world will come alive around you. You will notice things you have never noticed before. Time will seem to slow down for you and become a nice, smooth ride.

Although I said that this step is the easiest, it is also the hardest to master. Don't get flustered though, that will just make everything worse. Everything takes time. Some things, take longer to learn than others. Nothing in this world is instant. Remembering that is the key to almost every situation you encounter. Going in to things with an open mind and a clear field of view will make it much more enjoyable for every person involved. This can be applied to every aspect of your life.

Now that you have your activity and can appreciate it and the world around you, you are ready for the final step. Applying it. This may sound stupid at first but think about to your geometry class. How many times in that class did you think to your self "How will this help me after high-school"? Well, this is me answering that question about what you have read. The best way that I have learned to apply this, is to wake up a little early and get a nice warm drink (coffee works great, but I know there are some who do not like the slightly bitter taste) and find a comfortable chair outside. Sit in that chair with your coffee and make sure you are nice and cozy. Now, take deep breathes. Feel the world rushing into your nostrils and filling every strand of your body with it's presence. Once you have done this, you are ready to take on anything.  

Author's Note

This is my first time sharing anything I have ever written and it is a little outside of my comfort zone. It was mainly just me experimenting with my ability to let knowledge flow from me to others. As fiction is my real strong-point, this was a lot harder than I anticipated.

Reviews

[richom]

You have a very mature outlook for one who is still in high school. You know what you want to say and express it very well. I especially liked "explore previously foreign crevices of the world." It is that choice of words and imagery that works well in poetry, as well as prose.
I would add one more step to your essay--share your happiness with someone else. Viewing gorgeous scenery or seeing an excellent play or film or attending a concert, etc. are more enjoyable if done with someone else.
You have a talent for writing. I look forward to reading more.

[Marie]

This is very good, and you make a lot of excellent points. I once read that the happiest people are those who make things with their hands--not from a kit but fom actual raw materials. Appreciating things is a good idea too. A woman working with a group of slum chidren suggested that they find one beautiful thing in each day.
But there are some people--I know a few--who simply don't want to be happy. Their greatest pleasure comes from being miserable.

I would like to read some of your fiction.