“Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.”
– Emily Dickinson
“What was the best day of your life?” If someone asked you this, what would you say? As the memory comes rushing back, you probably remember how good that day felt. What was it about that day that set it apart from the rest? Maybe it was a great surprise, good news, or time spent with a loved one. No matter what it was, it most likely made you feel the best you’ve ever felt in your life, bringing you the closest to pure bliss that you’ve ever been.
Though some days are better than others, you should keep in mind that each day is a gift. It is easy to feel like life is always a step ahead of you, and when you feel this way, it is hard to remember that there is still much more good in the world than you realize. For me, the best days of my life have been the simplistically beautiful ones. The days that cause me to step back and appreciate life’s many wonders are the ones I’ll always cherish. People misperceive a “good life” as one that is constantly full of adventure, spontaneity, and prosperity. Though these are all positive things to obtain in life, they aren’t all that living a good life is about. Living a good life starts with acknowledging the fact that you are much smaller than the world around you and that that world holds endless magic.
The secret to living happily isn’t having fame, fortune or wealth but having clarity. When you’ve discovered that living in itself is reason enough to smile, you can’t help but appreciate the little things more and worry about the even smaller things less. Emily Dickinson said it best; “the mere sense of living” is truly all anybody needs to find happiness. Life is anything but predictable and everything but simple, but that is what makes the journey so special. You live and you learn, and you use what you learn to better the person that you are. This can open up so many doors for you.
If you let it, life can change the way you choose to live. Let life in and just enjoy the ride.