Seven Underrated Quotes That Helped Me Have Happier Days

Quote #7: Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. — Henri J.M. Nouwen

At the end of every Toastmaster session, the most vulnerable and amazing Toastmaster would help take things down and tell everyone “make it a great day”. Notice this differs from “have a great day”, which you might typically say or hear from others.

“Make it a great day” encourages a change in mindset — that you have the power to do whatever you want and to make it a great day. “Have a great day” implies that whether you have a great day depends on outside circumstances and external forces. Did you get a parking ticket? Your day is shot. Wife and kids are unhappy you aren’t making enough money? Your stress increases.

Lower your expectations

You’re not going to make me have a bad day. If there’s oxygen on earth and I’m breathing, it’s going to be a good day. — Cotton Fitzsimmons

Outside of a few things you need every day, you can see everything else as a bonus. That roof over your head? Keeps away the wind and the rain. The book on your bookshelf? Can entertain you for hours. If you start every day not expecting big things, you will be surprised at how much happier you will be.

The little things are the big things

For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness. — Andy Rooney

Everything above and beyond the necessities in life (food, oxygen, rest) is a bonus. A luxury even. A few decades ago, there was no internet. No Netflix. No constant entertainment. No search at your fingertips. Today is amazing. And every day things get better and better.

Be present

Today you’re here and nothing you can do will change that. Today you’re alive and here and honoured, and blessed with good fortune. Look at this sunset, it’s beautiful neh? This sunset exists. Tomorrow does not exist. There is only now. Please look. It is so beautiful and it will never happen ever again, never, not this sunset, never in all infinity. Lose yourself in it, make yourself one with nature and do not worry about karma, yours, mine, or that of the village. — James Clavell

You can easily get caught up in the past. “Oh no, X happened, what should I do?” Or distracted by the future. “What if Y happens, what will I do?” But there is only the now. Be present. Be mindful. Yes, you have a past. And you will have a future. But for now, focus on what’s in front of you.

Happiness does not require extra effort

If only we’d stop trying to be happy we’d have a pretty good time. — Edith Wharton

I’ve spent the greater part of my life thinking if I just made X amount of money or was promoted to this position at my company or sold Y number of books, I would be happy. And there’s a certain amount of happiness that comes from putting in the work and trying to achieve ambitious goals. But you can also be happy by stopping every once in a while and appreciating what we have accomplished. Making the bed in the mornings. Making yourself a cup of tea without burning yourself. Cooking a quick and healthy meal when it is easier to order takeout.

Memento mori

We are all here for a spell, get all the good laughs you can — Will Rogers

Remember death. That’s what memento mori means in Latin. It’s a chilling and ever-present reminder that death is in front of us, whether it is tomorrow or decades from now.

Scott Galloway said in his book The Algebra of Happiness, that things are not as good or as bad as they seem. It’s hard to see it now, but with the perspective of time, I have found that to be true. The breakup with the person you thought you would spend the rest of your life with? A mere speed bump to someone else you love even more. Getting laid off from a company you have put in thousands of hours of unpaid overtime? An opportunity to pivot into a new company and re-invent yourself. How do you gain the perspective of time? Remember death.

Reflect on what you choose to do

Remember that there are only three kinds of things anyone need ever do. (1) Things we ought to do. (2) Things we’ve got to do. (3) Things we like doing. I say this because people seem to spend so much of their time doing things for none of the three reasons, things like reading books they don’t like because other people read them. — C.S. Lewis

Are you doing things you need to do? Eating? Sleeping? Are you doing things you have to do? Work? Chores? Family commitments? Are you doing things you like to do? Reading? Writing? Playing sports?

If not, why are you doing them?

Choose joy

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. — Henri J.M. Nouwen

You have the power to react to things the way you want to. It’s tough, I know — I imagine most individuals are risk-averse and go into each situation thinking of the worst-case scenario. But that parking ticket you got? Helps pay for public services. And your wife and kids wanting more money? They believe you’re ready for more responsibility and a better job.