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I Choose To Be Happy

Sep 27, 2016

Courtney MacMasters

All my life, I have always been a planner. I am always thinking ahead, making lists for the future, imagining what my life will be in 3 months, 2 years, 10 years. This lifestyle has always seemed to work for me; I was always looked forward to bigger and better things. When crappy things happened to me, I shook it off and moved on, ready to hit the next stepping stone.

As a child, I always couldn't wait to be older. When I was in elementary school, I couldn't wait to be in high school, when I was in high school, I couldn't wait to be in college. Now that I'm in college, and just a short year away from the real world, I find myself daydreaming about this imaginary perfect life I'll have 10 years from now. A perfect job, a perfect husband, and even a perfect baby on the way. I imagine my life without the problems and heartaches that I'm experiencing in my life now; I imagine myself happy.

I have often found myself saying, "when this test is over, I'll be happy", "when it's summer, I'll be happy", "once I meet my prince charming, I'll be happy." But the problem is once I finish that test, I'm just looking to the next thing that will make me happy. I forget to stop and just be happy that I finished that test instead of immediately thinking about the next thing I assume will make me happy.

Lately, I have tried to do my best to live in the moment. I am choosing to be happy. Although planning and thinking ahead helps me to stay focused on my goals and stay organized, I need to stop letting it control my life and my happiness.

The fall season or meeting my future husband isn't what is going to define my happiness; sure, it will make me happy, and contribute to my happiness, but that's not where it should start. I should not be waiting for something great to happen for my happiness to start, instead, I should be focusing on the little things every day that make me happy and put a smile on my face.

I have gone through the worst year of my life, and recently I found even more devastating news about my physical health. While I'm finding it extremely easy to focus on all the negative things in my life, I'm delving into the little things that make me happy. The smell of coffee, road trips with my best friend, smiling to a stranger. I encourage you to find these little things that bring you happiness.

Today, and every day, I choose to be happy.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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I Choose To Be Happy

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Sleepovers are not a thing. They're just not.

1. You only ask things once.

2. Seriously, you only ask once.

3. When you do muster up the courage to ask your parents for something, you creep around and wait until they’re in a good mood.

4. Before you get that final yes, you have to go through an interview.

5. If you ever got “the eye,” you knew you were screwed.

6. You were always the first to leave your group of friends when hanging out.

7. If you say you will be home at a certain time, you better be home at that time.

8. Seeing a missed call from your parents sends fear and horror through your veins.

9. If relatives are coming over to the house, your room better be clean.

10. You are careful about what jokes you share with your parents.

11. "You’re not an adult until you turn 18! You can do whatever you want then!"

12. If plans change while you’re out, you better text or call.

13. Don’t talk back. Ever.

14. When you’re called by your full name, you’re in deep trouble.

15. Don’t make them call your name twice.

16. Sleepovers are not a thing.

17. Despite all of these things, you know your parents love you.

For better or for worse

1. Pets

2. Mornings

3. Mistakes

4. Cooking for yourself

5. Hosting

6. Taking care of yourself

7. Holidays

8. Roommates

9. Keeping focused and getting stuff done

10. Cleaning

11. Social life

No, really. I'm not mad. Just hungry.

1. You’re tired of people asking you if you know what “RBF” stands for every time you zone out.

2. You’re constantly using the excuse, “I’m just tired” when people ask you if you’re mad.

3. Or “I’m just thinking.”

4. In fact, you’re rarely ever actually mad.

5. But when you are, people usually can’t tell.

6. You find other people with RBF’s and have to convince yourself that you don’t look like them.

7. You constantly remind yourself, “At least I’m not a psycho.”

Some of your best ideas come through boredom.

1. If the professor is late by one minute, I'm leaving.

2. Oh crap, that's due TODAY?!

3. Can I nap in here?

4. I wonder what they're serving at the cafeteria.

5. How much does my teacher even get paid?

6. How much will I get paid?

7. This is the longest 50 minutes of my life.

8. Maybe if I call mom, she'll give me money.

9. How much do street performers make anyway?

10. Why am I here? I could be a street performer by now.

11. Oh right, I'm not talented.

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