New Year Attitude

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Usually every end of the year, we all make our resolutions and our decisions to help better ourselves and become happier with our lives. We develop a more positive attitude about our futures and all the terrific outcomes that can come if we actually go through with our resolutions--which, from personal experiences, doesn't always work out.

What I've noticed lately is that a lot of people I know have been really negative about the upcoming new year. They make fun of those who say "New year, new me," and call BS. Personally, I don't understand all the negativity shot at those who actually want to make a change for themselves and others around them. First off, it's unnecessary. Let them do what they want. Second off, it's hurtful and can dim down confidence. When I heard my own friends say it, I was offended for myself and for others and I almost decided to not make a change for myself but maybe wait a little while. Now, while writing this, a change at the beginning of the new year is the perfect place to start. 

Change is usually a good thing, but it can be scary. It's hard to adjust to new circumstances when you've been used to the same situations for maybe even a lifetime. But, for the most part, it's totally worth it. Making yourself and others around you happy is the ultimate beneficial change you can commit to and it will shine so much light on your perspective of just about anything. What's so bad about that? 

Unfortunately, there are more things that will make it harder for change than easier. It's hard to try to start eating healthier with more vegetables and fruits when you either can't afford the groceries or your family just plain hates vegetables. It's hard to try to lose weight when you can't stop yourself from eating all of those peanut butter M&M's. And it's hard to be happy when it seems like the whole world prefers you unhappy. No one deserves these hardships, but no matter what the circumstances, they're going to be thrown at you. And truthfully, to be cliche, they make you less susceptible to the hardships you'll no doubt face in the future. 

So as the new year draws in, go ahead and set that standard for yourself and become the person you want to be. Don't worry about what others say about it, and if they call BS on you--well, just know you're better than that. Learn to love yourself this new year and help yourself be truly happy with your life and your person. 

Cleaning is Happiness

Today was cleaning day in my house. And when I say cleaning day, I mean thoroughly clean one room and save the rest for another day. That's one of the main problems here--none of us want to clean the whole house. It's quite a bit of a workout; you're sweating from all the mopping and wiping down, your hands smell intensely of bleach and soap, and carrying that laundry basket of dirty clothes over a span of a month up and down the stairs will really wear you out. But there are a lot of advantages that come out of this.

First off, your house looks at least presentable. I'm usually embarrassed to have people over because our house never seems to get rid of the smell from last night's dinner and our bathroom has my brother's disgusting towels all over the floor. But when your house is neat and inviting, you really get that homely, cozy-fire kind of feeling, and it's great. Second off, a healthy home means a healthy and happy family. You can't expect to be happy in a room you can barely walk in or smells of feet. And it's hard to spend time with family--sometimes when we're playing board games, I'll see a stain on the table or my hand will touch a few crumbs and I go crazy. My reaction to uncleanliness as simple as that creates a bad reaction from my family, putting all of us in a bad mood. And third off, when I clean, it's such a good way to release all of my negative energy. I remember when I was watching a really sad episode of Glee (The one that was about Finn's death--could not even handle it), I was crying so much I didn't know what else to do but clean. And once I finished I had felt a lot better. I was happier because I was in a healthier environment and all of my negative energy had been released.

So never procrastinate on cleaning. It's better to set a schedule and to assign certain people to certain things. It isn't fun cleaning everyone else's messes all the time, so a chart is perfect. Just make sure you're cleaning because you want to, not because you feel like you have to. Cleaning doesn't exactly sound like running through daisies, but you'd be surprised. I personally enjoy it now that I've actually been doing it because I want to. Always remember that a healthy home makes for a healthy and happy family, one of the most important things there is.

When Helping Others Helps Yourself

Today while I was driving with my thirteen-year-old brother to Subway, I saw something that made me yell out, "Oh my gosh!" at least five times before understanding what I had taken in--I'm sure we've all had those moments. At a very busy intersection, I saw a young man wearing a grey hoodie roll out of his car having a seizure. The car was stopped and in the turning lane, but still--this man was having a seizure and no one was stopping to help. I won't lie, I almost didn't turn around. But I did, and when I arrived to the car, I saw a dark-skinned male most likely in his late forties talking on the phone. In thirty seconds, the boy I saw rolling out of the car had disappeared, the car's lights were flashing, the trunk was open, and the man was talking on his phone. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. When I asked him if everything was okay, all he said was, and rather rudely, "Yeah, my car's broken down, just go around me." I didn't even know how to take it in. My brother swears I was hallucinating, and I suppose all evidence points to the same conclusion, but I know I couldn't have just not seen it. 

After this event, I felt really good. Sure, there may not be something right with me if I actually did hallucinate something like that, but I felt great. I went out of my way to help a stranger. And although I couldn't do anything for the man, I did something for myself. I decided to stop thinking about myself for once and did a selfless act. I guess you could say I'm being conceited just by saying how good of a person I became for just that split second, but it doesn't change anything. Being there for other people not only makes them feel better, but also makes yourself feel better.

Even simple things like saving that last double chocolate chip cookie for your sibling or splitting your lunch with a friend who forgot theirs can make someone's day all the better. Complimenting on someone's new hairstyle is a great confidence booster for them, and if you're lucky, you'll get a compliment back, which is always welcoming. 

Point is, being selfless is a great feeling with great rewards. You're rewarded with their gratification and a pat on the back from your parent or even yourself. Volunteering in your community is a fantastic way to help others,  because not only does that relieve a special burden off people's backs, you feel like a new person. 

I've noticed that when I help others be happy, I'm also helping myself be happy. When you put aside your own selfish wants and start thinking about what other people need, you're automatically in a more optimistic position in life. Even when the consequences put you down in the dumps, knowing that you've made someone's day, week, month, or even a year so much better, it's enough to keep you satisfied at least for a little bit. 

I think it's healthiest if there's a balance between what you've done for others and what you've done solely for yourself. It isn't good to think doing any selfish act is bad and should be avoided at all costs--you gotta keep yourself happy, too, right? Just try to maintain that balance and life will be so much better. I had a much better night after I stopped for that man. I expected to be in an awful mood because I was visiting my mother, and she and I don't exactly have the best relationship. But when I came back from Subway, we all had a great time together, and we were all happy enough. 

Helping others DOES benefit yourself as well. Every single time.