What Makes You Happy? by Stacey Lynn

They say happiness comes from within, found deep inside our hearts and souls. For each one of us happiness is defined in different ways. Lately it has been a little hard on some days to find that happiness. I know that there will always be good days and bad days. Times where you feel great and times where you don't feel so great and that is okay. However, dealing with this pandemic is completely different then just having a bad day or feeling down. There's uncertainty and sometimes fear in ways we never imagined. We can't connect like we use to. We are spending a lot more of our time at home, more time just thinking some of us are completely alone. I decided to make a personal check list of reference to keep me on track with my thoughts and I decided to share it with you...….

1. ​Reach out to others who make you smile.  We aren't able to be with friends and family but we can connect through video chat or even just a simple phone call. My  son  and I wrote letters to others and mailed them. We don't usually write anymore and I remember having a pen pal when I was younger and the excitement I felt when I saw the letter in my mailbox was awesome!
2. Hold on to your values and beliefs. What you find truth in, what you know is real, and what you believe in. For me that is God! The more I pray and worship the better I feel.
3. Accept the good. Look at your life and see what is working and what is good, and don’t push away something just because it isn’t perfect. When good things happen, even the very little ones, we should let them in. I'm going to focus on the "little" positive things in my day to day living.
4. Imagine the best. Our ability to imagine anything is such a gift from above. A big part of achieving is believing. I'm imagining what life will be like  after all of this and I see sunshine and rainbows between those short little storms ahead.
5. Do things you love. For me that involves eating ice cream, brunch with friends, music and dancing, theater, sunshine, and nature! Some of these things I can still enjoy so I will hold on to those things for now!
6. Find your purpose. Most people want to be part of something greater than they are, simply because it’s fulfilling. I certainly do and have been exploring that more than ever lately. I remember Pastor Jen one Sunday saying what do you want your story to be. I have taken this time to really think about my purpose. 
7. Listen to your heart. You are the only one who knows what fills you up. My heart loves music it's the one thing that soothes me and allows me to feel free!
8. Push yourself, not others. It’s easy to feel that someone else is responsible for your fulfillment, but the reality is that you are in charge! Do what makes you feel good!
9. Be open to change. Even if it doesn’t feel good, change is the one thing we can count on. Our lives have definitely changed and for some permanently. We have to find new ways to exist and cope.
10. Bask in the simple pleasures. Think about those times you had a smile on your face, those who love you, treasured memories, silly jokes, look at photos you have saved, reflect on good times these moments are sure to lift your spirit and the good thing is they are there for a lifetime!

 Whatever happiness is for you enjoy it as much as possible whenever possible! Even in darkness we have to remember we just need to turn on the light!

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