Hakuna Matata

"Hakuna Matata" we all know the phrase. "It means no worries, for the rest of your days" But it's not that easy. Is it? It can be. At least that's what everyone keeps telling me.

I was sitting in a field on a warm fall day when Hakuna Matata came on my Pandora station. That got me thinking. Can it be true? Can it be that easy? Can I simply decide to have no worries and be optimistic? Now, sitting here in March, impatiently waiting for the snow to melt already, the thought occurred to me again. Can I just decide to be optimistic? And have it actually work?

Here is what it comes down to. Happiness is a conscious choice. You may think that it is involuntary, it just happens. But it's not. You can choose to be happy or sad. Angry or pleased. It is all how you see the world. How you choose to see the world.

I have to admit, I can be pessimistic at times, see the worst in everything. I admit that I have been just that for most of this winter, along with many others I know. But I also know how to be positive, and it is hard, but possible. It can be done, it just takes a lot of practice and willpower.

There are many ways to force yourself into a positive attitude. For example, when I catch myself being pessimistic, I force myself to think of something positive. Just one positive thing that happened that day. Even on the worst day ever, there is always something good to take from it. It can be really small, but it will be there. And if you can find that one good thing it will make all the difference. Once I find that one thing, before I know it I find more good things. The list begins to grow. Day by day I become more optimistic and less pessimistic.

If this isn’t enough, I also like to do my favorite thing in the world. I write. Whether getting my feelings out on paper, or using my imagination to create a new story, writing always has a way of putting me in a better mood.

Sometimes, I literally force myself to laugh. Watch a funny movie or TV show, start a conversation with someone who always makes me laugh. Whatever it is, as long as it gets me laughing it’s worth it. When they say “laughter is the best medicine” they aren’t kidding.

Finally, I like to listen and/or sing positive music. Such as Hakuna Matata of course! This rarely fails to put me in a better mood.

I have tried all of these things during this winter that seems to be going on forever. It’s a slow process, I admit, but it is working. And I know if I keep at it, it will become easier and easier to stay positive.

Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy. As time goes on it takes less and less work to do so. These are merely a few ways I like to stay positive, what do you do to put yourself into a better mood? Let me know in the comments! Hakuna Matata!