4-Steps to Living Happier

Today would have been my dad’s 80th birthday. Since 1997, the year my dad died, the 30th of September has been a melancholic day for me.

I think of all the time I wasted as a teenager, and later as a young adult, being annoyed and sometimes down right angry with my dad for some now un-recallable action or inaction. So today, let’s talk about how to stop letting the petty things in life take over.

Some days it just seems like I like to rant. I can, and do, rail on and on about some silly little inconvenience. I don’t really mean it; I just can’t seem to let stuff go. STUFF! Little, petty, stupid, stuff.

So how can I or we if you’re in the same boat with me, stop letting the petty stuff ruin our lives?

1. Remember that everyone has these types of annoying events come up in life, but successful people just go on as if nothing has happened, and unsuccessful people let it derail them. Decide today to rise to the challenge of being successful.

2. This one is hard for me! But we must realize, when we lose it over small issues, we look like idiots : There is no polite way to put this. When others around you see you (or me) COMPLETELY lose it over not getting a table soon enough at your favorite restaurant, they aren’t feeling sorry for you and wondering how they can help. They are subconsciously judging you and coming to one inescapable conclusion: you aren’t in control of your life. Get control!

3. Chances are the people you’re still raging about have forgotten, or never even knew about, the incident. By getting angry, you’re doing zero harm to them while simultaneously hurting yourself even more. That doesn’t make much sense, and is a waste of your precious time and energy.

4. Find a reason to be grateful! There is something good in every situation, and you can find it. Even if it’s just that you’re grateful for the chance to practice being grateful.

Just for today, let go of the petty stuff and practice recognizing what you love in your life today and find time to express the love you really feel. Then just repeat it every day.