Daily (not daily at all, but it has a nice ring to it) Dose of Happiness

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I haven’t been this happy in a long time. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. But for about fourteen weeks it has been an uphill climb;, I’ve finally been getting it, I finally understand.

I now understand that having a good group of friends makes a big difference in everyday life in AND outside of school. I’m so grateful that I pushed myself to become more social.

I now understand that nobody is judging my every move, I know that I can be my home-self at school- no matter how different those two sides of me are.

I now understand that even if it seems like there are giant walls between different groups of people at school; there are doors to enter and windows to climb through.

I now understand that there is more to life than a screen. I have become more social WITHOUT social media. The extent of my social life before January 21st, 2018, was sending random pictures of the floor to people I never even talked to, face-to-face.

I now understand that I AM good enough; everybody is good enough. There are no criteria stating one is bad, good, great, etc. What is enough? Enough is enough. Everybody is who they are and nobody should judge them for that.

I now understand that there is still so much more to understand. Four weeks ago I didn’t even realize that most of these statements above were possible.

I can’t wait to understand more and blossom into an even happier person.

Prompt

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Outside the cabin, the wind howled through the trees, while inside, the old woman’s fire was nearly out. As she sat in her creaky rocker she reminisced on her youth. When she was young, her fire was bright and full, as she aged it slowly dwindled. Now, it was almost out. it was almost time. She sat in that rocker hugging six picture frames.

  1. Her parents on their wedding day.
  2. Her wedding day.
  3. Her first son
  4. Her second son
  5. Her third son
  6. Her only daughter.

She slowly closed her eyes and tried to imagine what her children were doing at this exact moment. How would they react when it happened? She opened her eyes, and stared at the fire. It was more a spark than a flame. It was so small, but the old woman wasn’t scared.

Just 3 minutes later, the spark died

The woman did too

And a single ash danced across the room.

Outside of the old woman’s door, Oak Street turned onto Pine Street. If you followed that road all the way to Main Street, you would find Silver Rose Hospital.

On the fourth floor, in room 423 a baby was born.

A new flame ignited.

Prompt

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He is terrified of small spaces. 
Every minute of everyday, he is trapped.
Trapped in this box.
This box isn’t really here.
But it is.
At school his back clenches with fear.
With the fear of small spaces.
At home it is hard to focus on work and play.
Because of the fear of being trapped.
At restaurants, the lighting and sounds and smells trigger this fear.
The fear of a box that isn’t even here.

Prompt

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She stared hard at the table as she tried to recall her attacker, and began    describing. 

I think, I think her hair was black.

I think, I think her eyes were green.

I think, I think she walked with a sort of limp.

Ma’am. I’m sorry to interrupt, but you’re describing yourself.

What?

He walked out of the room, and came back with a handheld mirror.

She looked.

She studied the reflection she saw through the cracked glass.

He was right. But how?

How could it be her.

How.

How could it be me?

Prompt

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I hadn’t seen the Old Man since the day of his funeral. He had looked peaceful, like he was dreaming good dreams. Funny, that was exactly thirteen years ago. Unlike popular beliefs of thirteen being an unlucky number, thirteen was the Old Man’s favorite number. Everything was thirteen. He had published thirteen novels; each having thirteen long, detailed chapters. He always had a vase of thirteen red roses on his desk. In his honor, I decided to go to the florist and buy thirteen red roses to put on my desk. I hopped in my car and drove home. When I got there, I went to my attic to fetch the Old Man’s vase. I climbed down the creaky ladder, rinsed the thick layer of dust off of the vase, and put the thirteen roses in. I placed the vase on the edge of my creaky desk, I sat down and began to type on the Old Man’s chipped, black, 1906 Royal Standard typewriter. I got lost in the pit of words. I was on the twelfth chapter-almost done with my first novel. The exact second I started on the thirteenth chapter,

I heard someone knocking on my front door…

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven.

Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve.

Thirteen times.

 

 

 

Prompt

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The accident wasn’t her fault, or was it? She sat there on the cold, hard bench, staring into the raging flames shooting into the abyss of the watercolor sky. She closed her eyes while retracing her steps, trying to reassure her doubt-ridden mind that it wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t, right?
One: She got out of Robin Elementary School at 2:30 in the afternoon
Two: She began walking home
Three: She saw a flock of crows circling above the peaceful park, she was intrigued
Four: She sat down  on the park bench, soaking in the park’s beauty
Five: She heard traffic; disrupting the peace. She was mad. Furious
Six: Her eyes burned. Her hands turned red.
It was her fault.
It was her fault, wasn’t it?

Prompt

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He was stunned – the stranger in front of him looked exactly like the girl he’d been dreaming about. Her vivid orange locks danced in the wind; flowing with the rhythm of the tide. Without even the slightest flinch, the waves crashed against her legs. As the next wave began to form, she turned to face him. Her eyes were piercing. They were as bright as the first sliver of blue after a lengthy storm. They were familiar. A strong sense of déjà vu swept over him. His eyebrow shot up as he slowly turned his head to face his watch. It was 8:00 in the morning. He shivered, then looked behind him only to find a toddler with her mother. She was holding a bright yellow balloon. Then, she wasn’t. The wind had stolen it from her. It scurried away with the balloon in hand – the toddler began to bawl. Somehow, he knew that was going to happen. He also knew that in thirty seconds, a sandcastle a child was making would surrender to the strong pull of the waves. He shook the feeling off of him then began to stroll towards Dream Girl.  She tilted her head, offered a welcoming look to him, then closed her eyes. He walked closer to the water, slowly wading deeper and deeper, until his head was submerged in salt water. Though the water burned his eyes, he could faintly see the outline of Dream Girl swimming towards him. Once she had gotten to him, she reached out her hand. He had expected her to help him, but instead, she pushed him deeper into the abyss of the ocean. He struggled for air. All went black.

His eyes shot open.

He scrambled frantically around his bed.

He got up,

got ready for work and went on his way.

While on his daily commute, he went by the pier at 7:59 am

and was shocked when he saw the orange-haired girl he had dreamed about.

Daily Prompt

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The text message simply said ‘very clever’. I looked out the train window at the passing trees, and smiled.  I’m in- they actually liked my idea! This was the start of my new life. I grinned, closed my eyes, then entered a blissful state of sleep. My brief nap was interrupted by a blood-curdling screech. My eyes shot open. The train was pitch black. They’re here.
(Hi! Sorry about the shortness. I have one word for you, six letters: FINALS)

Daily Dose of Mixin’ it Up

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Hi all! I’ve decided to take a break from the “Daily Dose of Happiness”. Instead, I’ll be posting a prompt a day. I’ll be getting the prompts from this website. I hope you enjoy!

prompt
präm(p)t/
verb
(of an event or fact) cause or bring about (an action or feeling).

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Holy guacamole. Today was hard. School is hard. Life is hard. Yes. Life is hard. It freaking sucks (for many reasons besides this). Sure, there are good things too, but that’s NOT the mood I’m in. Today I got a D on an essay. You might be thinking, “Oh, come on. It could be worse!” Yeah. No. There is so much darn pressure on getting good grades (thanks, society). My knees are buckling under the weight of stress resting, no, STOMPING on my shoulders. My whole life is like the earth, but instead of revolving around the sun, it revolves around “GRADES,” and “HOMEWORK.” No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to maintain a balance between school and life. But, unfortunately, I have found that the reason the two can’t be balanced, it’s because they’re the same darn thing. Life is school, and school is life. It’s not supposed to be that way, but it is. I wake up and go to school at 7 o’clock every morning and get home around 3:30 in the afternoon after school ends. School doesn’t end there, though. School lasts all the way up until I shut my eyes at night and then open them up again in the morning. Then guess what? YAY! It’s finally FRIDAY!!!! But no. Not even my weekends are free from the ridiculous grasp of school.

o·ver·work
ˌōvərˈwərk
verb
Exhaust with too much work.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

~This is what was going through freshman Serena’s mind on the first day of school~

But hey, at least I only got lost once. Okay, maybe twice. That’s one of the worst feelings ever. Being tardy on the first day of school, then having to walk into a room full of strangers staring at you, and of course, the door is extra squeaky that day. NO! I’m horribly wrong. The worst part was lunch. Fortunately, my brother’s a junior in high school and luckily, we both have the same lunch period. For the first two days, I sat by him. Eventually I realized that I couldn’t sit with him for the rest of the year, so I went on a journey. I had to find some new friends. I finally found a table that looked like it could be accepting new members. The next day, I shakily asked “Hey, can I sit here?” She said yes, I thought she was reluctant, but I later figured out that she actually wanted me to sit there! Funny how that works; different perspectives really change a situation. Now, I’ve been in high school for one month. It has definitely gotten easier. I have just one complaint-there’s so. Much. Homework.

high school
noun
NORTH AMERICAN
A school that typically comprises grades 9 through 12, attended after primary school or middle school.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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School is starting. Soon. For me, in 6 days. Summer flew by! One second, I was scared I was going to waste my summer. The next, I’m getting school supplies and prepping my backpack for school. I must say, I absolutely did NOT waste my summer. The first few weeks, I took advantage of sleeping in and watching Netflix all day (and all night)! The next few weeks my family hosted a French exchange student. During those few weeks I was prepping to go to my three-week long writing camp (www.interlochen.org). After that, I was at camp. Those were the best three weeks of my life. I met so many great friends and found out I could write poetry! The day after I got back, all eighteen of my family members (Aunts and uncles, cousins, siblings, parents, and grandparents) boarded a plane to Cancun, Mexico. It was fun, but I was extremely homesick (the beach did sorta make up for it, though). After the vacation, we were home for a few weeks when we had to go to Michigan for a family emergency. We rushed back home just in time to make it to my brother’s and I’s school orientations (fortunately). Now, look back at your summer, make revisions, and start planning your next!

school
sko͞ol
noun
An institution for educating children.

 

[The not so] Daily Dose of Happiness

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Holy guacamole! I haven’t posted anything in a very, very, very long time. Well, unfortunately I have been self-diagnosed with something extremely serious- Writer’s Block. It makes me so sad to even think about it, because writing- as you may know- is my life. Every night, I glance at my laptop just laying beside my bed, and quickly wince because I know that I can’t write. Throughout the day I think, and think, and think about anything I mean ANYTHING to write about. I feel so bad because, as I said before, writing is my life. I went from posting extremely constantly, to hardly posting at all! I mean maybe this three week writing camp I’m going to will help me overcome my ailment. Again, I sincerely and deeply apologize for my incorrect use of the post title “Daily Dose of Happiness” (even though it’s not quite, as you might call, “daily,” it’s catchy, therefore I will continue using it).

in·con·sist·ent
ˌinkənˈsist(ə)nt/
adjective 
Not staying the same throughout.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Summer is approaching quickly! I know many people are hoping to be sleeping all summer. I get about three months of summer vacation. One and a half of those three months, I’m going to be at a three week long writing camp, then, a day after I get back, it’s off to Mexico with my family, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely excited, but, it is going to feel very rushed. Especially when I’m opening a whole new chapter of my life- high school. So, no matter what your plans are for the summer, use your time wisely,. Use this time to make yourself happy. It doesn’t matter how.

sum·mer
ˈsəmər
noun
The warmest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from June to August and in the southern hemisphere from December to February.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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I know, I know. Mother’s Day was a few days ago but, isn’t everyday Mother’s Day? Think about it- your mother sacrifices so much for you everyday and she only gets one day a year to be appreciated. That just doesn’t seem right, does it. Whenever you realize that your mom cancels one of her appointments, or drops everything she’s doing to come help you, say thank you. What the heck- make her a gift in the middle of January, so what! Tell your mom thank you everyday- not just on Mother’s Day.

Moth·er’s Day
noun
A day of the year (in the US, the second Sunday in May) on which mothers are honored by their children.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Today my class went to a Holocaust museum. As we walked through, the emotions hit me like a tidal wave. There were models, videos, pictures, and more. That was just for the first half. The second half consisted of talking with a Holocaust survivor. I must say, that was one of the most interesting hours of my life. She talked about her family and how she, her mother, and sister all made it out alive. But, the most interesting thing she said was: “Suffering is a part of life. But, misery, is a choice. You don’t have to be miserable.” The strangest thing about this saying, is that she has gone through so much more than any person can imagine, and yet, she has a brighter perspective on life than most people I know. The one thing I wonder is, how does that come to be? How can a person go through one of the most terrifying, gruesome, and depressing events in history, yet have such a happy outlook. I was not in any way, shape, or form in nor apart of the Holocaust, or anything like it. But, as she was speaking about her grandchildren, and past, she seemed happier than I have been in a while.

suf·fer·ing
ˈsəf(ə)riNG/
noun
The state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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As beautifully sung by Sia, her song “Bird Set Free,” tells a touching story. She speaks of being stuck; there’s a scream inside that won’t come out, or, she has a voice but cannot sing. It means so many things and is so complex. She relates herself to a bird with clipped wings- this bird can’t fly. Something’s holding it- her down. This song tells so many stories with just one lyric: “Bird Set Free.” The song could be about being bullied, or disabled. Mentally ill, or angry. It is a freeing song.

free
frē
verb
Release from captivity, confinement, or slavery.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Every time I’m stressed, I listen to music. Every time I do homework, I listen to music. When I clean my room, I listen to music. Music is one of the most important things in my life. It helps me destress, focus, or have fun. I have a playlist in which I save every song that I like (on Spotify). There’s a select few songs that are my designated “be happy” songs that I listen to when I’m really, really, down in the dumps. What I’m pretty much trying to say is I couldn’t live without music!

mu·sic
ˈmyo͞ozik
noun
Vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Clean. It’s a daunting word, isn’t it? I- personally- hate to clean. It was just written in my DNA. It’s the worst thing ever. But, my problem is, when my room is a mess- it stresses me out. So I’m constantly in a lose-lose situation. I hate to clean, but hate the mess. This past weekend, I deep cleaned my room. Every. Single. Crevice. Once I got into the groove of it (turned some music on and opened my shades), it was actually kind of fun! But, the best part of it all, was the finished product. It was so clean! Also, I could actually close the drawers on my dresser! That was a big plus… Cleaning, even every once in a while, WILL de-stress your life.

clean
klēn/

verb

Make (something or someone) free of dirt, marks, or mess, especially by washing, wiping, or brushing.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Well, this afternoon was about as tense as a tightly stretched rubber band. I have said (something like this) in one of my really, really, old posts: texts were hurled at each other like grenades. One of my friends said something jokingly, then the bully replied “Geez (insert name here) calm the f*** down.” When clearly, the victim was kidding. After I had witnessed an “online beat-down,” I decided to check up on the victim to see how she was handling things. She asked if I could add her back to the group-chat, but, I misunderstood and thought she said something along the lines of “can you help me in the group chat” so I devised a plan to stand up for her, and asked for her help. When I texted her the plan, she said “no, I mean add me back in! Thank you though!” I actually felt pretty proud of myself in that moment. Although I didn’t end up saying anything to the bully, I privately stood up for her, and she appreciated it.

stand up for
stand-əp-fər/
phrasal verb
speak or act in support of

Daily Dose of Happiness

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All of my life, my long-term memory has been foggy. It almost seemed as if the happy (and sad) memories of my childhood were kept hidden under an opaque screen. But, ever since a few weeks ago, memories kept flooding into my brain. I’d be eating breakfast one morning and remember when my mom taught me how to divide with Cheez-Itz on an airplane, many, many years ago. Or I’d be sitting in class and remember a trip to Disney World when I was a toddler. It is extremely weird to think about the brain. Thirteen years worth of memory is stored in a 3 pound sack of nerves.

brain
brān
noun
An organ of soft nervous tissue contained in the skull of vertebrates, functioning as the coordinating center of sensation and intellectual and nervous activity.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Phew! It’s hot over here. Spring-break is here [finally] and I’m so darn happy. Whether you go someplace warm, cold, or nowhere at all, spring-break is a chance to rest from all things stressful. The school year is almost done and summer is almost here. Forget about homework or bad grades, at least for this week. Take a break  from all of the the hard work you’ve done since winter break. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your break!

En·joy
inˈjoi,enˈjoi

possess and benefit from.

 

 

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Wow, I haven’t posted in a LONG time! Sometimes life just gets in the way of things. It’s March. Why the heck is it March? I feel like yesterday was the first day of school, and now the last day is approaching. Time just doesn’t stop for a minute to let you think, does it? How nice would it be to have a few hours a week where time doesn’t go by. There wouldn’t be anywhere to be and no work to do… I know it was awhile ago, but, leap year gave me a severe case of deja vu. In fourth grade, on leap day I thought to myself “Oh my goodness, the next leap year is going to be when I’m in eight grade…” Now, I see how fast that came and went and think “Holy guacamole, the next leap year is going to occur when I graduate high school…” Weird…

dé·jà vu
ˌdāZHä ˈvo͞o
noun
 A feeling of having already experienced the present situation.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Flaws aren’t visible imperfections. Flaws are the things that our minds twist into a much worse degree. The smallest pigment on our skin. The one unwanted pound that was gained. These are all things that our mind sees as”life ruiners” People- the good ones anyway- will see you for your true colors. Don’t let these “imperfections” stop you, from being you. So what if you have a freckle on your cheek- don’t conceal it, reveal it! (Wow. The cheesiness in that last sentence made me want macaroni and cheese)

flaw
flô
noun
A mark, fault, or other imperfection that mars a substance or object.

 

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Fun. Teens never have genuine fun anymore. Homework and depression swallows them whole. To achieve happiness, fun needs to be had! Have one day, once a week that is dedicated to fun. Today, for example, my class went to a museum in Chicago. It was so much fun!

fun
fən
noun
Enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Be you. Everybody is constantly telling teens to be themselves. What if you don’t know who you are? Most teens don’t know what they want to do, or who they want to be. An artist? A writer? A lawyer? Usually, one figures out their favorite hobbies, or creative outlets when they’re in elementary to high school. But, sometimes it takes longer. If you really don’t what you want to spend your days doing, adventure! Try new things until something clicks.

cu·ri·os·i·ty
ˌkyo͝orēˈäsədē
noun
A strong desire to know or learn something.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Hi guys! Today I had an assignment; a symbolism project. My class is reading to To Kill a Mockingbird and have gotten to a part where the main character states “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Our assignment was to comeup with a metaphorical phrase that starts with “It’s a sin to…” it also has to relate to life as teens. Here’s mine:

It’s a Sin to be a Flower. It’s a Sin to be a Bee.

In society, a person who is considered ugly, should be ashamed. A person who is considered beautiful, should also be ashamed. No matter who you are, society won’t accept you. Nobody’s perfect, no matter how hard you strive to be. Society has a way of planting weeds in the minds of teens. Those weeds then grow and block all positive thoughts that they had about themselves from getting the light they need. Once the weeds take over, the victim turns into an envious thorn bush looking for things that they need to change about themselves while wishing for others to be like them. Flowers can’t live without bees. Bees can’t live without flowers. Not one is better, or more important than the other- they are equals.

Daily Dose of (PLEASE HELP)

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Hi all! I recently submitted a synopsis of a book that I’m currently writing into a Publishing contest. The way the contest works is:

  1. Submit a summary of your manuscript
  2. Get more votes than the other contenders
  3. Do this all by April 4th, 2016

I would really appreciate you guys voting, it would mean a lot!

To vote, go to http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/pub-contest.php?u=64774

help·ful
ˈhelpfəl
adjective
Giving or ready to give help.

 

Daily Dose of Happiness

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I know, I know- it’s a little bit late to reflect on the fact that it’s already 2016. Think about it, a new year has begun. This new year will be full of happiness, laughter, and joy. But, it’ll also be filled with anxiety, tears, and sadness. As much as we don’t want those negative feelings, they are inevitable. The only way around them is to find ways for you to cope with them. Also, cherish the days that you have the positive feelings!

cope
kōp
verb
 (of a person) deal effectively with something difficult.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Well, the name of this post REALLY doesn’t describe my day. Gallons upon gallons of tears were shed- seriously. Mean words were thrown from one iPhone, to the next. I swear, the only time texts exceed a few sentences is when there’s a fight going on. Texts that are sent seem like they go on forever. Back to today, if I didn’t have a phone and wasn’t on any social media, I wouldn’t have been a victim in this violently nasty fight with words. It’s quite interesting how one day you go and have fun with someone, then the next, you’re in bed crying and staring at text messages that were sent by the same person who’s heart went from a warm red, to a cold blue.

cru·el

ˈkro͞o(ə)l

adjective

Willfully causing pain or suffering to others, or feeling no concern about it.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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How much “FaceTime” are you getting everyday? No, I’m not talking about video chatting; I’m talking about actual face-to-face interactions. I feel like my generation spends their lives with necks craned down starting into an alternate universe of nail polish, or makeup. If you see yourself feeling awkward having ACTUAL conversations with people, instead of texting them- you should probably press the “Power Off” button and open your eyes. Look at life through your own eyes, not a screen.

screen time
skriːn  tīm
noun

Time spent using a device such as a computer, television, or games console.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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If you’re feeling down in the dumps, and it almost seems as if nothing, NOTHING could make your day better- think of all of the people that love you. It could be your friends, family, or even your pet(s)! I know, personally, that this is a constant. No matter what I’m going through, I know that there is at least ONE group of people I love that I can talk to, or just have by my side. Try and surround yourself with people who love you. When you’re sad, they’ll comfort you, and vise versa. They’ll always insure a long lasting smile when you’re around them. These are the people who will stand by you, no matter what the circumstances.

love

ləv

noun
 An intense feeling of deep affection.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Is stress taking control of your life? If so, try this trick that will [most likely] solve your problems. Although this trick has NOT been scientifically proven, or tested by scientists at all, I’ve tried it, and it worked. If your life is busy as busy can be, pick one day (preferably during the weekend) and designate a portion of that day to de-stressing. Take a nice long bath, binge watch a TV show while cuddled up on the couch, or something simple like staying in your pajamas for the whole day. By just assigning one day for this, you will find yourself looking forward to that day for the whole week! And, if you’re really adventurous, try doing different things each time. Do crafts one week, draw the next!

de-stress
dēˈstres
verb
Relax after a period of work or tension.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Having a pal is important in life. It could be a person, dog, or even a fish. In my case, it’s my fish, Albert. I know, I know it sounds weird. REALLY weird. But, just knowing that there’s a life form that relies on me is a good feeling. Also, sleeping is easier. Falling asleep with another presence that’s “Watching” over me is reassuring. Yes, a fish isn’t going to fight bad people, the knowledge alone that the fish is there is comforting. A dog is an even better example. Even if there was a bad person in my room, the dog is there. I have to say, the dog would be a little bit better at protecting than a fish…

a·live
əˈlīv
adjective

(of a person or animal) alert and active; animated.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Okay, it’s hard question time… If you won the lottery; 1.5 billion dollars, what would you do with it? If you ask most people, you’d hear: I’m going to buy  a nice car, I’m going to save, I’m going to share with my family, etc. If I won 1.5 billion dollars, I honestly would have NO IDEA whatsoever, what to do with it. But, I would do one thing for sure- I would donate A LOT of money to less fortunate families to help with education, or anything. 1.5 billion dollars. The US is almost 19 trillion dollars in debt. It’s a lot of money! Think about it, over 317 million tickets were sold for the 1/13 drawing. I was talking to a friend of mine about the lottery. She said there’s too many people, she’d never win. I told her that almost  EVERY single one of those people are thinking the exact same thing as you. Good luck to you all!

-Comment what you would do if you won the lottery-

lot·ter·y
ˈlädərē
noun
A means of raising money by selling numbered tickets and giving prizes to the holders of numbers drawn at random.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Hi all! Unfortunately, this is the season of sickness. It almost seems as if everybody around me is sick. A whirlwind of people that are contaminated with a common virus. There’s a war occurring within ourselves. If you do end up becoming one of the infected, remember, the best weapon we each hold within ourselves is positivity. Don’t wallow in the shadows your ailment. Get out of bed in the morning. Take a shower. Fix yourself up. If you’re sick, doing these things will make you feel better. I know, it sound ridiculous, but it works! That’s all that matters, right?

strength
streNG(k)TH
noun
The quality or state of being strong, in particular.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Happy new year! Make this year different from the rest. Don’t set goals or resolutions for yourself that everybody makes every single year, such as: lose weight, eat healthier, get good grades, etc. Although some of these resolutions may apply to you, try shifting your focus to something bigger, something more meaningful, something that could change your life forever. One goal that you could try to accomplish this year might be maintain a schedule- daily, that helps your mind relax. A schedule that would make your life a more peaceful and happy place. Another reputable goal might be to do something that could positively impact the world, make the world know who you are by doing something good- you could start a charity that helps the less-fortunate. There are so many other NOT cliche goals out there that would hold more meaning to you as a unique individual.

new year
noun
A holiday that celebrates the idea of all the good things that will happen in another year.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Yippee! One more day of school left before two weeks of nothingness. This holiday vacation its a great opportunity to catch up on sleep, books, or TV shows, but mostly relaxation. Over the break, try to turn your brain OFF. Don’t think about school, work, or whatever stresses you out. Use these two weeks to enter complete and utter bliss. Try to feel happier that you’ve ever felt in your whole life.

bliss
blis
noun
Perfect happiness; great joy.

 

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Although working hard is a common mind set for many people, cutting yourself a break may bring more happiness, or joy into your life. I personally, push myself to do my best, whether it’s in school, or in my posts. While this thought is great for getting the job done, you may find yourself mentally tired- your mind needs a break. Most of the time, sleep doesn’t cut it. To cure your seemingly permanent sleepiness, pick one day a week to take a nice long bath with some relaxing music, or just plop on the couch and watch movies all day. (Whatever bursts your bubble!)

tran·quil·i·ty
ˌtraNGˈkwilədē
noun
The quality or state of being tranquil; calm.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Things are just ways to distract people form the most important things ever. Things are just another way to tear the complex strings of humanity apart. This topic just brings to mind a few examples. During Thanksgiving, I had a LOT of family over. What really bothered me was how few words were spoken. Everybody’s eyes were superglued to their phone screens. It almost felt like they weren’t even there- they were in Lollaland. This really annoyed me. Instead of having nice conversations with each other, people were having conversations with their friends back at home! You see those people everyday! I apologize if this post offended anybody.

thing
THiNG
noun
plural noun: things 
An inanimate material object as distinct from a living sentient being.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Friends in general are a pretty hard thing to come by. BUT, you know you have a true friend when you support them, and they support you back. Sometimes, it’s the simplest things! One thing that I recently did was buy tickets to my friend’s “Nutcracker” performance this weekend. By just doing that- it made her day. The next time your friend has something important to them coming up- get involved! It will definitely improve your friendship.

sup·port·ive
səˈpôrdiv
adjective
Providing encouragement or emotional help.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Life is a funny thing. Sometimes, things go as planned. While, most of the time- it doesn’t! I recently figured out that my “Mildly sprained ankle” is actually a broken one. As I said before, life is a funny thing. It almost seems like life is a person plotting against you. Everything you think, say, or do, turns out to be a part of some elaborate plan for Life to sabotage you. It may seem like much, but personifying life explains it! Life throws you curveballs, one thing you have to know is how to understand when to take the swing.

curve·ball

ˈkərvbôl

noun

BASEBALL
 A pitch thrown with a strong downward spin, causing the ball to drop suddenly and veer to the side as it approaches home plate.
    • NORTH AMERICAN (informal)
      Something which is unexpected, surprising, or disruptive.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Why is New Years Eve is the only time people make goals for themselves? I mean- it’s the start of a new year, but I just think that goal setting should be a constant process. I find that when you have a goal- lets say for the month, it gives you something to strive for. You have reason and purpose. Goal setting also helps people become more responsible. Just 8% of people actually follow through with their New Year’s Resolutions. That’s crazy! If goal setting was a regular part of ones life- people would become more accustomed to getting new things done.

goal
ɡōl
noun
The object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Thoughts are a distant reality in your mind. Your mind twists things to make them seem so real, even when it’s not. Your thoughts may be happy thoughts (You’re very lucky to have those) or, you may have the not so happy ones. Thoughts and dreams are STILL mysteries to scientists. Everybody’s mind works in such an individualized manner- it would be hard to study just four people and come up with a conclusion. Thoughts can be a product of denial, fear, happiness, or creativity- IT’S NOT ALL BAD! Some people have a very vivd imagination where as others do not. They way somebody reacts to a terrorist attach is very different than the way another person reacts. Some people [Including myself] dwell on things. Others forgive and forget. Just remember to use your mind wisely-  it is the roadmap to the road trip of life.

thought
THôt
noun
plural noun: thoughts
An idea or opinion produced by thinking or occurring suddenly in the mind.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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What do you do in your free time? Do you read, play sports, write, watch movies, or draw? I think that most people my age are probably leaning towards watching movies or playing sports. I think that less “Screen time” will be better for this generation’s mental health. More “Face Time” will help a person lead a much healthier life. I must admit, though, I am a culprit of these crimes.I would really like to spend more time with family, or outside. If you absolutely CANNOT live without Netflix, limit yourself to one episode a day. If you’re really daring, try limiting yourself to four episodes a week. Replace the time spent cooped up watching TV in creative outlets- (writing, drawing, reading, singing, etc.) I know this post relates to one I’ve posted before- but, I just feel like this topic is important.

talk
tôk
verb
Speak in order to give information or express ideas or feelings; converse or communicate by spoken words.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Think. Have you laughed today? Probably. Whether it’s about a joke your best friend told, or a funny thing your teacher said- it’s good to laugh! Laughing IS contagious. SO, if somebody you know is having a bad day, tell a joke, if they don’t laugh, then you laugh! ((Remember, laughter is contagious) It’s scientifically proven.)) When you’re feeling down in the dumps and your emotion meter has hit blue, look up funny videos, laughter is a natural “De-stresser.” It releases hormones that make you happy. Now that you’ve heard a bunch of reasons to laugh, LAUGH! (I know I will!)

laugh
laf/
verb
Make the spontaneous sounds and movements of the face and body that are the instinctive expressions of lively amusement and sometimes also of contempt or derision.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Hello! As “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” approaches, the chillier the air gets (At least it does at my house) and the more people start to realize that there’s a chunk of the population who aren’t very fortunate, outside -cold- in this weather. Who I’m talking about is the Syrian Refugees. They were forced to flee their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They walked for hundreds to thousands of miles. Some are young, and some are old. They will be cold! So, donate. There are so many places that are taking in money donations for the refugees. (I’ll leave a few links) By donating just a few dollars each, a family could be warm this upcoming winter.

(Here are just a few links, there are A LOT more out there)
UNHCR
World Vision
Save the Children
gen·er·ous
ˈjen(ə)rəs
adjective
 (of a person) showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Terror is being brought upon us. It’s almost as if the terrorists are competing against each other to see who can end the world first. After all of these terrorist attacks, from 9/11 to the recent shootings in California, it leaves me to believe that human life has lost all of it’s value. People are killing other people, Not people who have wronged them- THEY’RE INNOCENT PEOPLE! The preciousness that human life used to hold- is gone. People take other people’s lives because they feel like it. I bet those horrid people even think twice about what they’re doing. I just don’t understand. Comment if you agree- and it’s not just me!

ter·ror
ˈterər
noun
Extreme fear.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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The future. What happens in the past, happened. Whatever is happening now, is happening. But the future… It is a deep dark void that gets explored every second of everyday- it’s inevitable. Every second that wastes away was once the future, is now the present, and will be the past. (Weird- in that scenario the past is the future!) So many people get caught up worrying about the future, or dwelling in the past- that they don’t get to enjoy what’s right in front of them! Then, the present is just another past added to stumble upon. STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE! The present should be the only thing on your mind.

fu·ture

ˈfyo͞oCHər

noun
The time or a period of time following the moment of speaking or writing; time regarded as still to come.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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These days, religion is a very controversial thing. If you live in a certain place and are a different religion, your life could be at risk. There are so many different religions in the world! Islam, Judaism, or Christianity. But, there are a lot of people who have a hard time in believing these things. Whether it’s believing in The Buddha or God. For some (Including myself) it’s hard to connect the dots of there being so many different religions, but they all have different stories. I’m always told to hand over my stresses to a higher power. Who is that? Is it God? Is it The Buddha? My mind is a a flurry of snowflakes in the middle of a snow storm- lost in the flow. Just the other day, I had a great idea! What if, once a week I go to the store and pick up one helium balloon. On that balloon, I would write everything that I have been stressed about that week- then let it go! I just feel like it would have the same affect as praying or worshipping. Your stresses are now in someone else’s hands (I sure do feel bad for that person!)

re·li·gion
rəˈlijən
noun
The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Pain is a painful thing! Whether it’s getting bullied at school, spraining your ankle, or having your heart broken. They’re all pain. Pain is hard. There is no right way to deal with it. It takes a while to understand that your pain isn’t permanent. It’s not a black hole sucking you into it’s abyss for eternity. It’s mostly temporary. The sting of bullying will leave you. The swells of a sprained ankle will fade. And your heart will be welded back together by those you love. See? All pain is fixable. Some say that the pain one goes through makes a person who they are. That is NOT true! It’s the way those people plagued with the pain develop the strength to get rid of it. Everybody goes through some trauma or pain in their lives. Breaking your arm does NOT define you. It’s the way you stay strong  while you’re in pain that matters.

pain
pān
noun
Physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Sorry about the past few days, Thanksgiving has been Super busy. As the holiday draws to a close, and the cleaning of the fridge has begun, I want to remind you that Thanksgiving has reserved the opportunity to make you give thanks. But, being thankful EVERYDAY helps me [Personally] stay happy. Reminding yourself that there IS something to look forward to in life tends to cheer some people [including myself] up. Whether it’s going to your aunts house next week, or a summer camp that you’re going to this summer. No matter what it is! Also, just remember that seeing your family should NOT be just a thing for Thanksgiving. Seeing family is great! Especially is you have a cousin, or somebody you click with.

eve·ry·day
ˈevrēˌdā
adjective
Happening every day; daily.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Thanksgiving. When you think of Thanksgiving, the first thing that pops into your head is probably a turkey or other food. What people don’t understand is, if we didn’t have food on Thanksgiving, it would still be Thanksgiving because you are surrounded by people who love and care about you. The food isn’t what makes Thanksgiving what it is. The whole point is to celebrate family and friends or anybody else that you love. Although, the food is a pretty good addition.

grate·ful
ˈɡrātfəl
adjective
Feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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The best memories in life probably have something to do with family. Whether it’s pranking your cousins with your siblings, or staying up all night talking by the fire. All of these memories will stay with you FOREVER. As you get older, the closer you become to your cousins and siblings. The best memory I have with my cousins was last summer, I got stuck in a canoe with two of my cousins, and it was the FUNNEST time of my life! This memory will stick in my mind like gum to a sidewalk. Try it! The next time you see your cousins, talk to them! Don’t just stare at your phone screen.

Mem·o·ry
ˈmem(ə)rē
noun
Something remembered from the past; a recollection.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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As Thanksgiving is fast approaching, families hurry to check off all of the boxes on the shopping lists. Many people, on thanksgiving, eat dinner with family. Whether it’s your grandparents and cousins, or your best friend. Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks for everything! From being alive, to the new jacket you got. That’s enough of that! (Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet.) This week, I have sixteen additional people sleeping in my house. On thanksgiving day, there will be over forty people. Having all of these people around on thanksgiving is a perfect reminder to remind you how thankful you are. I can’t wait!

Ex·cite·ment
ikˈsītmənt
noun
A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness.

November Quote

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“All we are

is the result

of what

    we have thought.”

I really like this quote because it explains how fear, anxiety, and sadness are mostly created in our heads. We make thoughts into a reality that doesn’t exist. Although, this quote could mean good things as well. We are what we think. Artists, musicians, and writers alike are results of what they have thought.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Life isn’t about fitting in, it’s about standing out. Most people spend their whole life trying  to be like everyone else, trying to be like the “Cool kids.” What many people don’t realize is that the people who tend to stand out are the smarter, kinder, and more creative people. Just because this years fashion trend is leggings, does’t mean you can’t dress nice! One group of people who decide to wear the same thing, shouldn’t take a trend. Everybody is so individualized and unique that no trends should be followed. Everyday I remind myself to be me by wear a small necklace that has “Be you” engraved in it. Whenever I have doubts about my individuality, I look at my necklace and tell myself to be a “Fruit-loop in a world of Cheerios.”

Hype
hīp
noun

Intensive publicity or promotion.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Leave little things everywhere that remind you to be happy. One thing that I do is leave little post-its everywhere my locker, my backpack, etc that say things like “Be happy. Breathe. Smile.” Whenever I find a note, I read it and stick it in my binder- it actually helps! It may sound cheesy or whatever, but it somehow triggers the mind to think about when or where you wrote the note. Another thing that might help is quotes. Whether you get them framed, or just write them on an index card; anything works. I hung this quote right above my bed “You think what you become. You imagine what you create.” (Buddha) So, overnight before I fell asleep, that quote was fresh in my mind.

re·mem·ber
rəˈmembər
verb
Have in or be able to bring to one’s mind an awareness of (someone or something that one has seen, known, or experienced in the past).

Daily Dose of Happiness

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If you have siblings, you’ll relate to this post perfectly. Siblings can be a pain in the butt. They’re annoying and are sometimes completely out of their mind! I can say so because I have two brothers who are ALWAYS on my back. Most mornings, someone starts arguing with someone else, it then leads to total unhappiness between the two until the end of the day. It almost seems like when everybody goes to sleep at night, their brains are refreshed and then they’ll get along with everybody. Whenever I complain about my brothers, I’m told “When you’re older you’ll appreciate them more. Your brothers’ll be your best friends.” I have SUCH a hard time believing them, until there’s that one day when everyone is snuggled on the couch smiling and laughing. These are the times that count. Try to enjoy all of the time you get with your family!

sib·ling
ˈsibliNG
noun

A brother and/or sister, younger or older
the only ones who will be there for you through anything and love you no matter what
my best friends

Daily Dose of Happiness

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My goal in life is to live  happy and healthy- but mostly happy! It’s hard to do that with all of the stress in our everyday lives. Such as: tests, friends, grades, etc. When I get these thoughts, I call them “Weed” thoughts. These thoughts are weeds that grow in the garden of the mind- blocking the sunlight from reaching the flowers below. These flowers, are the happy thoughts you have. Such as: family, holidays, thankfulness, etc. These are the seeds you WANT to plant- not the weed thoughts. The hard part is, once you drop a tiny seed of fear, it grows so fast and turns imagination into reality. Right when you notice the seedling growing, cut off all sunlight and transfer all of the thought into the flowers.

weed
wēd
noun
A wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Cousins are an important part of who we are. For most of us, they are the people we grow up having fun with, and are always there for you. You spend holidays, birthdays, and weekends with them. Next week, I have 9 cousins spending 6 days with me. It may sound overwhelming, but honestly, I’m super excited! One thing you have to remember is to have fun. After awhile you might want some personal space, but they might be feeling the EXACT SAME WAY. It is nice to have a quick breather, but enjoy the time you have with them.

Cous·in
ˈkəzən
noun

Homie, friend, associate, partner

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Fear. It is an invisible weapon created in the mind to cloud all reality. If one does not face their fears, at one point they will end up living in a bubble. They will lock themselves in their house because they are afraid of the inevitable. You cannot become this person. After the attacks in Paris and Lebanon, I have been afraid to make eye contact with people because my mind twists reality into a gruesome war that only exists in my eyes. You have to get over these fears. Think of a stop sign flashing big and red in your head. Take deep breaths and MAKE eye contact. Take the garbage out- even when it’s dark! By facing your fears, you will insure a spot outside the bubble.

fear
ˈfir
noun
An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Fresh air is therapy to the mind. On the weekend (although it may seem tempting) don’t coop yourself up in the house all day- it’s not good for your mental health. I personally think it’s quite relaxing to stay in and watch movies, but one day, I went for a three mile walk and came back totally refreshed- it really works! Try replacing the hours you spend watching movies or playing video games, with hours of fresh air. Whether it’s raking leaves, going for walks, or riding your bike! After you finish any of these exercises, treat yourself to a nice cup of cocoa. If your not into the whole “Active” part, grab your favorite book and cuddle up on the grass and read. If you like to write, grab a notepad and write. You’ll notice your creative energies swirling new ideas into your brain.

Snuggle
snəɡəl
verb
Settle or move into a warm, comfortable position.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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It’s finally the weekend! Breathe in. Breath out. Whenever I get stressed, I’m told “Breathe.” Okay? Breathe. I CAN’T focus on my breathing when I’m stressed- nothing is a solution. What do people mean when they say “Breathe?” What I’ve learned, is that it’s not the actual breathing part that helps- it’s the distracting of your mind. It’s hard! Breathing is hard. (weird to think) It helps, it actually does. Try it! The next time you’re stressed about something- breathe. If that doesn’t work for you, another thing that helps is singing about your problems. I know it sounds silly, but it works. (ex. “I’m having a really crappy day. I failed a science test. My head hurts. I have so much homework.”) And of course, sing to a catchy tune!

Breathe
brēth
verb
 take air into the lungs and then expel it, especially as a regular physiological process.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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“Enjoy the little things.” I’ve heard this saying countless times, but I never understand the true meaning. I do comprehend that you can’t get stressed at every little thing. But, what most people (Including myself) don’t understand is IT IS HARD to enjoy the little things when you become so accustomed to them, they are invisible. I have a problem with this. I get stressed over everything, nothing is good anymore. What I recommend is every night before bed, write three things you are thankful for on a piece of paper. If you are having a hard time doing this (I did at first) think of the most obvious things you can. For an example, “I’m thankful for the roof over my head. I’m thankful or the food I ate today. I’m thankful I don’t live in a war-torn country.” All of these statements are things that are pretty universal. After you do this for awhile, your “Thankfulnesses” will get more intricate and personal.

Three
THrē
number
Equivalent to the sum of one and two; one more than 2.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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Hi all! Many teens (Including myself) have nothing to do with your time. So, instead of exercising, or doing something useful, we watch Netflix and eat junk food all day long. If you’re not an active person, try replacing your Netflix time with reading time. Find a book you’re into, and cuddle up in a corner and get teleported into the imaginative world of creativity. You’ll notice that you find yourself more energized and happy. I noticed, after I cut down my Netflix time and replaced it with reading and writing, I found myself less tired and more happy. Cutting down on technology is sometimes the key to happiness.

read
rēd
verb
  look at and comprehend the meaning of (written or printed matter) by mentally interpreting the characters or symbols of which it is composed.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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I know, it’s late. I think eighth graders are overloaded with homework. On average, I have about two hours of homework- a night. That is just ONE problem eighth graders face. Another major one is friends. Many people have friends who treat them like they’re worthless. If this ever happens to you, it is the perfect test to see who my true friends are. While I was looking for positive things in my friends, another friend decided to  text me:

“But I just can’t stand it when my friends don’t respect my other friends.”

After I had said something completely unrelated. After I received this text, I just wanted to send it right back to her saying

“I just can’t stand it when my friends don’t respect ME.”

Fortunately, I tried to be the better person in this scenario, and didn’t text her anything. These are just a few sneak peaks into the life of an eighth grader. Unfortunately, they aren’t all cheerful.

bul·ly
ˈbo͝olē
noun
A person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate

Daily Dose of Happiness

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We were given people in our life- family. They help through the ups and downs of life. They might even contribute to those ups and downs! I think families are drifting farther and farther apart from each other. I think the prime suspect is technology. Teens are always on their phones, playing video games, and spacing out listening to music with earbuds. Every weekend, sit down with your family and talk about how your life is going. Talk to them about your friends, that test that you didn’t do so great on, or anything else that’s on your mind.

fam·i·ly
fam(ə)lē
Noun
People you love and love you back, not neccessarily blood or biological, but you trust them and they trust you, and they take care of you and you take care of them.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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It’s (finally) the weekend! I feel like the weekend is the time to recharge for the next week ahead. Relax! Ride a bike, write a book, read a book, go for a walk, etc. Try not to get stressed on the weekend, it tends to hang on to the next week. If you have any, try to get all of your homework done on Friday afternoon, NOT THE LAST MINUTE on Sunday. By doing this, it should eliminate stress from your weekend routine.

re·lax
rəˈlaks
verb
make or become less tense or anxious.

Daily Dose of Happiness

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The life as an eight grader is HARD! There’s ups and downs and loop-de-loops- kinda like a roller-coaster. But, when you’re down in the dumps, you always have to find a way to be happy. When I’m having a crappy day, I dump all of the stress I’m feeling down on a piece of paper and never look at it again. It really helps letting it out. Another method that works extremely well is a “Be Happy Jar” it’s a jar that you fill with happy things. (eg. “I got an A on my test”, “I got a new phone.” etc.)  So, whenever you’re feeling down you go to your happy jar and pick a card. I hope this helped! Just remember to be happy.

cheer·ful
CHirfəl
adjective
noticeably happy and optimistic

Quotes

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Most people think quotes are just words that famous people said a long, long time ago. But actually, they are really meaningful words. One of my favorite quotes is,

“Everyone wants sunshine

Nobody wants pain

But you can’t have a rainbow

without have a little rain”

– Unknown

There are so many quotes in the world. Go online, find one and make it your thing. When you are feeling sad, mad, or anxious, read that quote to yourself and say “everything is going to be alright.”