How to Have the Best Summer Ever
How to have the best summer ever? We know, it sounds a bit over the top, but it’s easier than you think. We’re not dismissing how challenging life can be and we won’t sugar-coat the fact that losing your job, being really sick or losing a relationship can be downright awful, but we’d like to suggest an alternative to dealing with these kinds of difficult situations.
As you many know, your experience of life depends less on the actual events and more on how you perceive and react to those events. Since you have control over your thoughts and beliefs, you are responsible for how you’re being in the world. So next time things don’t go the way you had hoped, try accepting the situation rather than resisting what you can’t change. You don’t have to like whatever’s going on, but shifting to an accepting mindset can help you stay centered and sail though challenges with grace and strength.
For example. You collapse while at the gym and think you’ve a heart attack. An ambulance shows up and takes you to the emergency room. You’re anxious and frustrated by being stuck in a bed for 26 hours as you get every imaginable test. You start thinking about what a horrible summer this is going to be, playing a multitude of sad stories in your head. You then get released from the hospital and realize how lucky you are as it was only a false alarm. This experience makes you aware that you need to deal with stress better. You feel gratitude for your health, having health insurance, air conditioning on a 90-degree day, food in your fridge and people that care about you.
This incident made you realize that you’ve been taking so many things for granted. Rather than focusing on all the things you don’t like in your life, you start focusing on all the blessings. Instead of thinking ‘this is a bad situation’, you ask, ‘what can I learn from this experience?’ Studies have shown that living with gratitude helps your brain stay focused on the positive. The more gratitude you feel, the more you’ll understand that the difficulties will pass and help you grow and that’s it’s the simplest things — such as the beauty of the late afternoon light or a child’s laugh — can bring you an abundance of joy.
Every moment offers you an opportunity to focus on what you have rather than what you don’t have. Don’t wait for something devastating to happen to start appreciating the gifts that already fill your life.
Decide right now that this summer is going to be the best summer ever.
Tips for a Happy Life
- Start and end your day by acknowledging what you’re grateful for
- Create a morning routine that helps you start the day on a positive, inspiring note
- Slow down and appreciate all the little blessings in your life
- Try not to complain and focus on the positive.
- Put away your electronics and be present
- Surround yourself with positive people
- When going through a difficult situation, practice self-care & look for the lessons
- Always try your very best!
What are you grateful for?
