Written by Caroline Collins, M.S. Ed.
Happiness is something you have to work for each day, it is not granted to you just because you are that lucky person.
Happiness is something you give yourself.
When you work at giving yourself happiness, you are providing yourself health. Maintaining a positive mood, choosing nutritious foods that are natural and from the Earth, being active both physically and socially; all of these actions are pieces to being healthy and therefore lead to happiness.
Life is full of ups and downs. We won’t always feel happy and that is okay. Sadness is a part of life as well. What is important is that even during the difficult times you maintain a healthy state of mind. Know that you are worthy of a good life and that courage is needed to get you through the moments of despair.
I was recently struggling with a few rough days and I had a hard time communicating my issues with someone else because I was not sure who I could connect with over these matters. I knew that it is healthy to be honest about feeling hardships with those you are close to, so I opened up to my little sister about how I was feeling. She told me that she wished I had someone to go to like she has with me, because I am a mentor for her in her career. (She is entering into a teaching career and I have 5 years of teaching experience)
I realized then that you never know who you are helping by remaining strong, positive, and healthy. Knowing that I was able to help her through her difficult times was enough to get me through mine; sometimes we need someone other than ourselves to be strong for.
Although we most definitely are worth our own happiness and health, it does help to know that by leading a positive life, you are helping others by the examples you set. You never know whose life you are helping by being the best version of yourself!
Health & Happiness,
CC