Step One: Happiness

Everyday and I see people that are annoyed, stressed, or seem to be too busy with life to be happy. This needs to change because misery spreads like a sickness. Imagine for a second that everyone you saw was in a great mood. It would be strange because you know there is always someone you see everyday that seems to be having the worst day of their life.*

I don't understand people that choose to be miserable. It doesn't make sense to me. For some people it is difficult because they have a lot going on in their lives that causes stress or sadness. It is OK to be sad once in a while, but not all the time. 

Some people can't even be happy when they are with their friends or at an enjoyable place. They are so focused on the bad things going on that they forget the good things that are currently happening to them.

Remember that the easiest way to be happy is focusing on and doing all the small things that make you happy. While thinking about this, I made a list of easy ways to make yourself happy. These are some of the things I do to make myself happy when I am in a crappy mood. **

Nathan's Easy Way to Happiness

- Obtain your favorite food

- Watch your favorite movie or TV show

- Play your favorite video game or read your favorite book

- Take a nap

- Go for a run

None of these ideas are really difficult or take up too much time. It is easy to make room in your day to do at least one of these things. You may have a lot going on in your life, but choosing to be miserable is always a bad choice.

*If there is one person you know who is always in a bad mood, try to make their day better. You will never know how much of a difference you just made

**All of these things should be done alone. If you are in a crappy mood stay away from others unless you need help. This way you don't put others in a crappy mood too!

"Politics... that's a bear trap"

Well quoted by my friend Zach Dawson, this statement is quite true. Bringing up the ever-continuous battle of political issues is always a bad idea. No matter how many people you talk to, you will not change the political agenda without being a powerful politician. So why discuss it?


Top 3 Reasons People Talk about Politics


1. You will make a difference: No. If you are campaigning against something, support the major organization against that idea if you really care that much. It's easy to volunteer for the organization's major events... even buy a t-shirt. Whatever it takes for you to feel like you helped.


2. You will make someone change their opinion on something: Um, no. In our stubborn world, good luck changing anyone's mind on something as simple as what they eat for lunch.* 


3. To start an argument: If this is your objective, congratulations! No matter what happens, you have just succeeded.




So what do you hope to gain from talking about this topic? If you bring politics up with me, I will immediately change the subject.** So if you want to be a person that everyone enjoys being around, a helpful tip is to not talk about politics. Don't step in the bear trap.

*Unless you prove that chicken nuggets, ham sandwiches, and frozen pizza are poison I will never stop eating them


**Please please please please don't talk about it around me!!!!!!

Love Your Enemies... Unless You Have None

Recently I posted "10 Steps to Being a Better Person" and in my last post I talked about the first step to making people not dread being around you. Now why would I post those things?


Life is a lot easier when everyone doesn't hate you. Sure there are some people who may hate you because of something terrible you did to them, but you can't change the past.* Achieving a life without enemies may seem unrealistic, and for some it may be impossible. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to.


Recently, I have set out on a mission to love my enemies. While meditating on this topic I realized that I don't like having enemies. So that's when I decided: why just not have any?


If you have ever thought, "I just want this person to go away! I can't stand them!" then maybe its time you put your hatred away and started loving them instead. The results will suprise you.


I'm on a quest to live life without enemies. So, join me if you'd like. It's going to be one heck of an adventure.**

*If you have done something terrible to someone and haven't at least apologized, that is your first step! Note: when apologizing, a favor or small gift makes the apology genuine.


**If you don't like adventures, don't join me. If you know me in real life then you know I love adventures, no matter how rediculous!

Shooting Fish in Barrels

First off, shooting fish in a barrel is not easy (unless you have a shotgun with trap shot rounds).* Second, who tried shooting a fish in a barrel in the first place? Either way there are more important things to discuss...

Everyone has habits. Figure out if your habits annoy others, and if any of them do, stop. Don't leave it up to your friends to harass you to quit and put up with it. So in the context of my title, if your fish bite others, shoot them yourself.

Healthy habits are easy to figure out. If you do things like run everyday or take vitamins, well good for you. Don't try to make everyone do the same thing. There is nothing wrong with being unique, but if you boast about your healthy habits people will get annoyed with you anyway.**

Kicking bad habits is the first step into a life without people disliking you. It may be hard, but take baby steps and you will be fine. 

*The Mythbusters proved it. Don't argue with me or them.

**Don't tell people they need to change their lifestyle... they get offended, and you could end up with a black eye

Stapler... Purple Starfish...

If you know anything about me you know that I enjoy spontaneity and randomness. So today I decided to share two of my favorite, random videos with you. Enjoy =)


Note: Mild language/ stick figure violence

If you thought ^ movie was funny, there are two more on youtube!

10 steps to being a better person

1. Stop watching Jersey Shore

2. Stop complaining about your weight*

3. Don't lie/back-stab/cheat

4. Brush your teeth, stop chewing gum thinking it'll do the same thing... it doesn't

5. If you have a bad habit, try fixing it today instead of tomorrow. "I'm going to quit soon," is a lie and a bad one

6. Realize you have to accept the consequences of your actions and quit whining about it, and learn from it

7. If you are in a bad mood, don't drag me into it. I know misery loves company, but I'll take a rain check

8. Delete "Friday" off of your iPod. You may think it's a funny joke, but the jokes on you for having it on your iPod to begin with


9. Clean out your car every once in a while. It's common courtesy for your passengers**


10. If you have problems with someone, go out of your way to try and fix it. Living a life without enemies is hard, but it is very possible.

This is Hurley, my favorite character from Lost. If you want to be a good person, be like him.






*See, "A Life Diet?!"


** I just cleaned out my car recently, you should too. You will be amazed at what you may find. I found $23 =)