One of my favorite lessons from this last year is learning my ability to change my situation. It is a freeing feeling that I do not have to settle for mediocre because I have the power and ability to change it. My life is only as mediocre as I allow it to be. Right now on my dashboard sits my favorite fortune cookie fortune.

“Do not pursue happiness; create it.”

How perfect?

I think it’s so easy to get jaded about your surroundings. We all get comfortable with settling. From boring clothes to stagnant relationships to unhappiness with your career to that blown out light bulb that you just ignore. Why are we settling for less than we deserve? I know that there is a lot that contributes to this inertia.

Life gets busy. Personal finance issues. Depression. You name it.

In my opinion, (and I’m sorry if this is harsh) there is just no excuse for giving yourself anything less than the best life.

Feeling alone? Pick up your damn phone and call a friend. Make plans. Harass your friends. We are all so damn paranoid that we are annoying someone. If you are annoying someone by wanting to hang out – then they aren’t your friend. Move on down the list because there are plenty of good people that enjoy quality time. Make the effort.

Struggling at work? TELL SOMEONE. Don’t assume everyone knows your issues. Don’t be afraid that you made a mistake and all hell is going to break loose. Know when all breaks loose? When your employer finds out you made a mistake five months later. That is when people get pissed. So, jump on the problem immediately so that your team can help you. Your employers will respect you for your concern and you’ll appreciate the learning opportunity.

Feeling in a rut? Travel. There is an unstoppable power in being reminded that there is more out there then what is just outside your window. Traveling always reminds me that there is more to life than work sleep and repeat. I’d love to travel abroad, but my finances are not allowing that (YET) so, for now, Nashville and New York will do just fine.

Have a lot of stress? Stop what you are doing. Go take a long walk outside. Take a deep breathe. Eat a HEALTHY meal. Drink tea. Talk to a friend. Stress can kill you. I have personally seen the serious medical/physical effects that stress has on your body. Make your health a priority. Your loved ones will thank you.

Feeling depressed? Not in an “I had a horrible day” kind of way, but I haven’t been motivated in weeks and it’s a struggle to get out of bed kind of way: Get help. Don’t waste another second feeling like you are drowning. I know this a complex and complicated issue and it’s different for everyone. I have seen all types of depression and I have seen all types of dealing with it. If there is one thing that I do know, you can suppress that mess all you want, but it’s a lifelong battle and that bitch will always come back. So, deal with it now or deal with it in 30 years. Why waste that time?

I’m trying to focus on this empowerment of “I create my happiness” for a couple of reasons:

1. I’m a control freak and this fits that need.
2. I don’t want another month like October when my body gave out.
3. And finally, because when I was dreading Valentine’s Day weekend some mysterious angel of a person sent the most beautiful flowers. They were accompanied by my favorite quote:

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

–

Albus Dumbledore.