How to stay positive

Some important things to remember in order to stay positive.

1. I don't have control over everything. But that's okay! Because there are plenty of things that I do control. But for those that I don't, there is no reason to stress over them.
   
2. I do the best I can. With any problem, I do the best that I can given the circumstances I am in. Looking back, maybe I can think of something else I could have done, but in the moment I did what I needed to do. Even if the situation gets out of hand, I can always be assured that I've given it my all.
   
3. Always try. If I try and don't succeed, it's not failure. Failure is not trying at all.
   
4. What's done is done. Let go of the past; do not make it today's burden. No good comes from carrying around all my old problems. There is nothing I can do to alter what has already happened. It seems silly to point this out because it is so obvious, but I've caught myself getting worked up over things that are clearly done.
   
5. Mistakes happen. Sometimes mistakes just happen and it's not anyone's fault. The universe is random like that. There is no need to point the blame in some fluke of nature. And even if the mistake was caused by someone, no one is perfect. Forgive and forget.
   
6. I am not a mind-reader. I can't waste energy worrying about what other people think. Referring to number 1, I can't control things like that. Unless confronted, I can't keep worrying about something I have no proof of.
   
7. I am an adult (to some extent). Pouting and whining are for children. Grudges and drama are for teenagers. I am neither. So don't do it! Easy enough.
8. You can't please everyone. I can't make everyone happy. That's just impossible. Trying to jump through other people's hoops just to keep them satisfied is silly. There reaches a point where the height of expectations is to cumbersome to attempt and I'm not going to waste my time trying. In the end, it just disappoints both of us anyway. Them because I haven't done every little thing to make them happy, and me because I feel like I gave up. It is one of those circumstances mentioned in number 2.
   
9. Big picture. Despite how many things are going wrong, there are still so many that are going right.
10. Always, always remember. One bad moment doesn't have to spoil the whole day.

What to do in case I'm in a crappy mood.

1. Duh. Refer to the above list. I mean, that's why I made it.
   
2. Hug it out. Hug a giant stuffed Pikachu. Don't have one laying around? A human will do as well.
3. Go outside. There are few things that make me happier than reconnecting with nature.
4. Be goofy and random. Not difficult. Tsk-tsk-tsk-tsk!
5. Exercise. Hit up the rec, walk or bike ride outside, anything active. Increased blood flow to the brain helps me be rational, balanced, and happy.
6. Listen to Motown. Sam Cooke, The Temptations, Ray Charles, and much more.
   
7. Make something. Bake, cook, draw. Anything. Preferably, do it for someone else. It's like a double-whammy to the brain. I'm being creative AND helping out. SO much happy in that combo.
8. Take a nap. Getting some shuteye solves a lot of things.
9. Grab a shower. It might seem silly, but there is something about showers that make me calm down. Whether it's the warm water, nice smelling soaps, or some "in the womb" effect going on, showers feel amazing and melt away bad feelings.
   
10. Read this quote. "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could with it. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Questions for the reader: How do you stay positive in your life? What are some things you keep in mind in order to maintain a positive attitude? How do you rid yourself of a bad attitude?