If I could choose any non-commercial holiday to describe my personality, it would definitely be the International Day of Happiness. I didn't even know this existed until about five hours ago.
I have always been an extremely positive, happy person. I'm basically a mix of Buddy the Elf, Rapunzel, and Joy from "Inside Out." I always have a smile on my face, and I am in a good mood 99 percent of the time. I won the Cheermeister Award two years in a row in my high school choir.
I opened Snapchat today and watched the, "Be Happy," story featuring videos from all over the world. It featured dozens of people laughing, smiling, and overall enjoying life. I was brought to tears by the positive spirit of this video, and it caused me to reflect on my own happiness.
I find joy in many things in life, but I can pinpoint my main sources of happiness to three things: God, my family, and my friends.
I have been a Christian all my life, and because of that, my heart has been filled with so much joy and happiness. I have grown up surrounded by the most wonderful people who have led me closer to God every day, and because of that, I am so grateful. Because of my faith, I have been able to encourage others and help them on their walk with Christ. That in itself makes me insanely happy.
My parents have been two of my best role models. My mom is a lot more outgoing than my dad, so I consider my personality to be more like hers. Whenever I describe my mom to people who have never met her, I say, "She's like me but ten times happier." She is easily the happiest person I know, and because I have always looked up to her, I have grown up valuing happiness.
I found a quote online a few years ago that said something about how we tend to act like the people we spend the most time with. When I think of my best friends, I realize how truly lucky I am to be surrounded by such uplifting people. I like to think of myself as a mixture of all of my close friends because I relate to each of them so well. They have so many positive attributes that have inspired me and helped to mold me into the person I am today, no matter if I've known them for 10 years, 18 years, or eight months. When I think back on some of my happiest memories, my friends were always there with me. Without them, I know for a fact that I would not be the positive person I am today.
For me, it was easy to pinpoint my three main sources of happiness, and all of them related to people (not surprising, because I absolutely love people). The people in my life have led me to be a happier, better person, and for that I will forever be thankful.
Because of the role models I've had in my life, I have learned to find joy in even the most mundane aspects of life. I find joy in sunrises and sunsets. I find joy in roads and intersections. I find joy in music and theatre. I find joy in holidays and seasons. I find joy in sunshine and daisies. I find joy in everything in life because life is such a wonderful gift. I could sit here and list everything that makes me happy, but I would rather spend my time appreciating these things.
Happiness should not only be celebrated on March 20. Happiness should be celebrated every day.
Here's to many more happy days in the future.
