If gratitude is a choice, then so is misery. Being grateful doesn't mean that you have to like everything happening in your life or that you aren't facing hard things. It simply means you choose to keep your heart soft and your mind open to opportunities for thankfulness.

Start keeping a notebook of things you're thankful for and add to it daily. Big things, small things, in-between things, and maybe even things that no one else would be thankful for except you. Occasionally, read aloud what you've written. Next, write down a few circumstances in which it is exceptionally hard to find anything to be grateful for and, over time, see if you can't land on a thing or two.

Happiness comes and goes. Let your heart be open to it when it comes, and don't be so afraid when it goes away for a bit. Believe that it will come back again.

Did you ever say to yourself- or anyone who might listen- "Gimme a break!" By that, you meant, "I just need ONE positive thing to go my way. Just one." Here's a different perspective: give YOURSELF a break. Cut YOURSELF some slack by openly and honestly searching out something said or done, or even a smile directed your way, that can be a sign that better days are soon to come.

A good idea: If you can't find a doggy bank, get a piggy bank and name it DJ to remind you that YOU CAN rise above the most challenging things life throws your way. Then, whenever you choose the high road of optimism, write a two-sentence summary of the victory. Fold it and deposit it into your DJ Bank. Then, every so often, empty the bank, re-read and be recharged by those memories.

Good memories, uplifting memories, or make-you-smile memories actually do happen every day. The problem is that we live at such an on-to-the-next-thing pace that we forget to remember. Set a few moments aside at the end of each day to contemplate or journal positive memories, and your life will be better, richer, and happier.

Find one happy thought amid all the dark ones and cling to it like a lifeboat in a stormy sea: a memory, a hope, a dream, a wish, a joke you heard, a smile you made happen. This happy thought won't erase the darkness, but it can give you a burst of strength and motivation to stay afloat during the storm.

Write down a few circumstances in which it is exceptionally hard to find anything to be grateful for. Fight to become a person of gratitude by searching daily to see if you can't find a reason or two!

It's easy, isn't it, to develop a lifetime habit of refusing to be happy unless more of life is going your way. Here's a key to changing that sad habit: when your attitude wants to be bummed out, choose, instead, to bump it up by consciously seeking one or two things to be grateful for.

You won't know what you can do until you say, "Yes, I will go for it!" Remember to remind yourself, "If I don't succeed now, the important thing is I'm learning HOW to succeed!"

Some of life's greatest treasures aren't always so easy to see. Be determined to look for them every day!

The tricky part about having too much of anything, such as money, success, popularity, or stuff, is the nearly impossible challenge of genuinely enjoying anything less. Enjoy the gifts you have and practice being content with small and simple things, too.

May you have all the success and fulfillment life has to offer. May you also not miss out on tasting the icing on the cake: genuine peace and happiness.

Have you ever watched a puppy chasing its tail? Round and round and round it goes until it lies down, frustrated and exhausted. That's a picture of you when you go overboard chasing after popularity, success, or material things, thinking they will guarantee your happiness. They may not make you happy, but the struggle WILL bring high levels of frustration, unnecessary stress, and consistent disappointment.

Do you wish you had more money, things, or status? Ask ten people to be 100% honest with you about what truly makes them happy and fulfilled. Money and things likely won't be at the top of that list.

Be mindful. Spending too much time focusing on or being obsessed with chasing after what makes you happy will almost always have the opposite effect. On the flip side, looking for positive, selfless ways of living life will bring greater joy than you could imagine.

Since patience is one of the most challenging things to learn on this planet, it is also one of the most rewarding! Make an agreement with a friend to help you become more patient.

In a world shouting, "I want it now and not later," how can a "no big rush" mentality benefit you? First, who says you must have a breakneck, hectic existence just because everyone else does? Secondly, do you want your life to fly by in such a frenzy that you fail to truly enjoy it along the way? Slow it down. Enjoy the moment. Look for a reason to smile.

Remember, worldly success is not the ultimate goal. It's about finding contentment and happiness in your journey. If you focus on personal growth and happiness, you'll be surprised how much meaningful success will accompany that quest!

The beautiful boat tied to the dock was named Stress Relief. The owner, who was busy cleaning it, said," It is a stress reliever to me now and then. But, honestly, the overtime I work to pay for it and all the responsibility of taking care of it probably outweighs the remedy two to one.'"

If you are trying too hard to find peace and contentment by accomplishing or owning something, you could be draining yourself instead of helping yourself. Try to stop striving so hard to own or earn happiness. Realign your priorities today!

When you talk to friends or glance at the media, the message is often "Look for something big or important of significant monetary value." The problem is, those things come and go so quickly that you spend most of your time and energy doing NOTHING BUT LOOKING.

You can do more than you realize; you won't know until you try. Remember, it's okay to make mistakes while you're learning.

Think of one thing in the past week that you observed or heard that made you laugh or made you laugh inside! Take a few minutes to relive that moment. Remembering happy memories can help with healing.

You have a good, a better, and a best life to live. The choice is yours. But remember, the best life likely may not be identified by fame or fortune or always having your way. It is an accumulation of little benefits. That is people, places, things, and small rewards of life like:

• Reading a good book
• An unexpected smile
• A thoughtful encouragement
• A text from a friend
• A good grade, or a better grade than you expected!!
• The opportunity to do a good deed
• The smile you shared with someone
• And hundreds more!

It only takes a few seconds to look for an event, a person, an experience, or something in nature to give you positive vibes and uplifting energy.

Whether you are feeling upbeat or a little down, an unhurried walk can do wonders for you. Look around for something that can be uplifting. Allow each step to take you mentally and emotionally further away from what's weighing you down. Shift your mind out of overdrive. Some of your best ideas or solutions come from a relaxed mind.

When you can't change your feelings or your circumstances, give yourself permission to dance in your heart.

Mundane might be defined as, "the same old, same old…a monotonous, boring life…blah." Break the blahs by looking for reasons to celebrate life every day. You may be surprised by the positive impact of small celebrations.

When you feel lonely and don't have many things to be glad about, pick one or two. For the next week, remind yourself daily to smile and continue celebrating what you identify as a "happy sighting."

Here's your choice: You can continue to scold yourself for the mistakes you've made, or you can be genuinely sorry, learn a valuable life lesson, and be determined to make better decisions in the future.

You don't have to do something big or receive a pat on the back to celebrate. So, celebrate! One celebration a day, even for the simplest of things, will add up to a more joyful life.

Can you say aloud, "I am thankful for what I DO have? I am grateful for the small favors of life I too often miss. I'm committed to getting better at speaking fewer words of self-rejection, and, imperfect though I am, I will continue to grow and mature as a person.

Now might be a good time for a six-month check-up, a mental/emotional evaluation. To keep it simple, try this:
What is one area in which I know I can and will do better in my attitude and actions?
What is one area of how I think, act, react, and put into action that I'm progressing in?
What's one part of my life, even if it is not a very big part, in which I'm doing well enough that I am going to celebrate? Push away those "I'm not worthy of celebrating" negative thoughts. All positive work deserves pride!