Happiness

With all that has been going on lately with politics, the economy, and everything else, it seems everyone is constantly looking at the downside of things. I realized the other day that sometimes listening to it frequently starts to rub off on me and my attitude becomes more negative. I become more cynical about my life and the bad side of everything is all I see as well. I know this isn't how it has to be, we may not be able to change our circumstances, but we can change how we react to them. Let me make it clear that I know life isn't made up of ice cream, sing-alongs, and sunshine (although I wouldn't mind if it were). I also realize that we can't brush negative circumstances and outcomes under the rug and by doing so magically make them disappear. We all have our share of trials, problems, and difficulties. I am a firm believer in the power of a positive attitude. I feel like we all have the ability to be happy, despite the "downsides" in our lives. It is up to us to make a conscious decision as to what our attitude outcome will be.
One thing that helps remind me to have a good attitude is to think of all the things that make me happy in life...you'll find i'm easily pleased...
My family, my friends, the gospel, exercising, the gospel, guilt-free desserts, baking, cooking, taking pictures and mercilessly posting them on my blog and facebook, really good movies that make me think, really funny movies that let me stop thinking for a bit, frozen yogurt, diet dr. pepper, arizona, shopping, Christmas, Christmas Shopping, Rob & Big, sleeping in, unexpected text messages, having my arm tickled, reading a really good book, my ipod, finding new music, funny youtube videos, good smells (baked goods, cinnamon pinecones, clean kitchens, garlic, etc.) a clean car, cold cereal, seeing old friends, inside jokes, new clothes, being crafty, service, brushing my teeth, eating at my favorite resturaunts, visits at work, BAM, dancing, laying out, getting my hair done, general conference, driving with the windows down, beautiful weather, phone calls from the fam, getting to go home, I could go on and on and on...there really are so many little things that make me happy in life...
If you haven't had a chance to read Elder Uchtdorf's Talk from Womens Session of General Conference please do... It's SO good!
http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-37,00.html