Happier

Have you guys heard of this new app called Happier? It's like Instagram, but for happiness. Their website says "Studies show that people who write down a few positive things about their day report feeling happier, less anxious and more optimistic. They also become more productive, sleep better, and have fewer physical problems." That sounds pretty good to me.

When I was growing up and I used to get really upset about something, I would automatically get angry and start pouting. After awhile I would watch my family all talk and laugh and joke around, and as much as I wanted to laugh and joke with them, I couldn't. I had to keep up this image that I was really angry about something, even though my natural reaction to watching my family having a good time was to join them and also have a good time. Over the years I think people become increasingly cynical about the world around them and their lives in particular, especially when they compare themselves to people who they think are happier than them, when all we really want is to join those people and be happy too. Yet we don't think we'll be happy unless we have this or do that. All we're doing is stunting the potential of our happiness sitting in the corner and pouting while everyone else is having fun. The truth is, we have the ability to be happy right here and now regardless of what we have or don't have.  Sometimes all I seem to do is complain and gripe about what I don't have and what I'm not doing, but when I start to actually acknowledge the good things going on in my life and around me, I realize that there is so much to celebrate and be happy about. Small things that I take for granted, like not being allergic to nuts or big things like having a home and a job. Sometimes all it takes to change your life is to change your perspective.

Happier seems like such a great revolution in social media. Share things that make you happy and you'll be happier. Happiness is contagious and dwelling on positive things help to minimize the bad things. You can even set up reminders to send yourself throughout the day to stop and focus on something good that happened that day, because sometimes in this age of multi-tasking and go-go-go and always being on an electronic, it's nice to be able to have that electronic send us a reminder to stop for a minute and just be happy.

If you need some inspiration on what to be happy about here are some starters.