By Lisa 
It’s Monday. You have a departmental staff meeting at 10 and the boss sent back the report you turned in Friday with a terse email about some errors. Oh, and your annual review is at 1PM with that same bossman. Oh joy.
You are out of coffee, you scan your IPhone for the headlines and see that the stock market is expected to go down this week. Way down. And your new ‘can’t tell a lie’ digital scale shows those three margaritas Saturday as an additional three pounds. Lovely.
You need a major change of mood if you are going to get anything done without snapping a few heads off today. And you have exactly five minutes to do so before you have to hit the shower. Help!
Get a pen and paper. Go ahead. This won’t take long and will set your mood for the rest of the day. Double pinky swear promise.
Look around you. What do you see that makes you happy? Maybe your cat stretching and yawning, or the soft blanket you are under. Maybe it’s the ceiling fan that makes that soothing noise you need to fall asleep, or the clean sheets that feel cool and warm at the same time depending on where you put your legs.
Write down three things in front of you that make you happy and grateful if only for this moment. No “yeah, but” allowed. Just three things.
Then get up and start getting ready. Continue to think of things that make you happy like warm water in the shower, good smelling soap, a new razor. Maybe it’s how your spouse softly snores, or how cute your kid looks sleeping. Don’t focus on anything else right now, just on what makes you happy.
Throughout the day, look for things that make you happy. Maybe it’s the security guard at work who always smiles and waves, or the sound of the water in the fountain in the lobby. Maybe it’s the flaky ice in your drink at your favorite lunch spot.
Keep your list next to your bed and write down what you are happy and grateful for each day–just three things or more if you want. Refer back to them when you need a boost.
Here are mine from this morning:
Cool mornings in May
Hot coffee next to me
Squirrels chasing each other up and down the trees
Green leaves with sunshine showing through
A train whistle in the distance
Possibilities and hope
These ‘small happiness-es’ are things we often forget to notice. Happiness and a good mood are largely perception. Change your focus and change your mood.
We see that the sidewalk is cracked but we overlook the yellow flower growing in the crack.
Focus on the flower not the crack. Your whole day will go easier.
Gratitude does change everything.