While living in a time where every moment is so fast paced, whether it be school, work or your personal life, there can be certain instances where happiness begins to wane. Many lose sight of what happiness actually is and how it can be achieved in even in the smallest moments.
Attending college is difficult, especially for those who find themselves consumed in an overload of work. However, there are ways to enjoy subtle, but important, times.
For example, Chibuzo Amonu, a freshman nursing student, said, “Someone taking the time to simply say hi makes me happy, even if the day was not the best.” Colleen Finnigan, office coordinator of the Department of Education always has her student workers smile and say hello to anyone who walks in the door. “You never know how someone’s day is, and if you saying hi makes them even a little bit happier, then it’s worth it,” she said.
Another way that you can turn your day into a better one yourself is by making others around you feel better. Matthew Jones, a freshman computer science student, uses this tactic in his life on a daily basis. “I find happiness in putting a smile on someone’s face because if they are happy, why shouldn’t I be,” he said.
Even though work has settled in and many students are already tired, putting in the minute or two to make someone smile may brighten up how you feel during that time.
For those who remain more concerned with self-made happiness, without the help of another person, doing a daily activity may be the route to take. Whether you find the sunrise enjoyable or even just having a cup of coffee, make it a point to continuously have it present in life.
Corey Wrenn, Ph.D, Director of the Gender Studies Program, said, “Every morning I feed the neighborhood birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. It’s a simple thing, but watching them fill up on peanuts, sunflower seeds, and other treats really fills me with joy (and entertains my cats).”
By making a point to feed the animals every day, Wrenn creates her own happiness and, in turn, it fills her life with positivity rather than negativity.
Discovering what makes one enjoy life is something that many struggle with, but once successful at it, it is life changing.
So, here is the challenge for this week: find one thing that increases positivity within yourself and do it every day for a week. Not only will you be happier, but you will feel better and may even make others surrounding you feel better as well.
PHOTO TAKEN by Amber Galati
