Happiness – Life Lessons

Do It For Yourself

Whatever it is you’re doing in life, make sure you’re doing it for yourself. It’s okay to secure a bag, but it’s best to secure your own happiness first. I believe most people would live simple lives if they weren’t comparing themselves to others or trying to meet some societal standard. Many say they don’t care what others think, but their lifestyle says otherwise.

In my 46 years of living, I’ve observed how people in rural areas live versus people in urban and suburban areas. It seems like people who live in the country (rural areas) prioritize peace over worldly possessions. They may look like they don’t have much by the way they dress, but they usually own acres of land. Now, you tell me which is worth more? I also find them to be some of the happiest, kindest, and content people in the United States.

They are also healthier because they eat more fresh foods from their own gardens and local markets. One of my kin folks in Mississippi recently celebrated her 99th birthday. Nevertheless, she’s not the only kin of mine in her 90s. I wouldn’t say all of them are very healthy, but they are still here. When I talk to these folks, they don’t seem to worry and stress as much as us city folks do, which is a huge contributor to health. They don’t value material things and aesthetics so much either. Most city folks invest more in vanity than their own sanity. Some of us will even risk our own lives for the perfect look.

So, take a look at your life and ask yourself, am I doing this for me? Anyone who desires everlasting joy and peace will not let anything or anyone compromise it. Therefore, if anything or anyone is jeopardizing your peace, let it go. If beauty is making you go broke, learn to love your natural self. If you’re constantly spending money you don’t have to attend every event or travel frequently, learn to live within your limits and explore less costly hobbies. Whether you’re in Mexico or Maine, they’re going to like your post anyway. If that big house and luxury car are breaking the bank, downsize. They’re going to talk about you either way. But I’d rather downsize my assets and upsize my peace any day.

“I don’t need to have everything, but I have everything I need. Pleasing others is just too hard, so I live within my means.”

-Bianca A. McCormicks-Johnson ✍🏽

Check out my books by clicking the links below:

I’m G.O.O.D. – Volume One

https://a.co/d/dDLzPDo

I’m Still G.O.O.D. – Volume Two

https://a.co/d/8t5nx9m

It’s Never Too Late

As you get older, you may start feeling like it’s too late to do some things. Too late to get married. Too late to have kids. Too late to start a family. Too late to start your business. Too late to go back to school. Too late to change your diet. Too late to just start living!

Whatever you’re currently facing may be new to you but familiar to someone else. Hard for you but manageable for someone else. Desirable to you but undesirable to someone else, so learn to keep some stuff to yourself. Otherwise, that feeling will never leave.

You must be careful with who you confide in because one’s opinion might shape your belief or curve your decision. However, sometimes people don’t intend to be malicious or shady in their comments. It’s not always meant for you.

As an opinionated person myself, I used to make mindless comments because I would talk so much. I can honestly say I have never meant to hurt anyone with my words in informal or formal conversations. Consequently, I’ve learned to talk less and listen more, especially when talking to people I’m not well acquainted with. Though I’m still pretty talkative at times, I’m more careful with words.

Don’t listen to naysayers

Never let someone’s opinion dim your light and stop the execution of your plan. You were made for something bigger than someone’s opinion. But if you’re also afraid of what others might say or think, then you’ll stop the execution of your own plan with fear.

Learn to accept constructive criticism

We all love good conversation and positive energy, but we must also learn to accept constructive criticism. A good friend or family member may not always tell you what you want to hear. They’ll tell you what you need to hear instead. No one can decide on your future but you. However, you should want your loved ones to at least try to keep you from making a fool of yourself.

Let’s say one feels like it’s time for you to bear a child because you’re in your late 30’s. You want a baby so bad, you start sleeping with this married man. In conversation with a friend, you admit that the two of you don’t always use protection. Your friend immediately comments on how you’re going about things the wrong way; then you get upset. Not only did she check you on one bad decision but two.

Don’t take everything personal

If you’re a sensitive person, you should stay off social media and avoid watching stand up comedy. You can’t always expect kindness, comfort, and positivity, especially from people who don’t even know you. However, if you follow the right people, you just might get that. Some people post just to get a reaction, and comedians are paid to tell jokes, even if it means playing on your pain.

Wise up

Whatever it is you want, tell it God, not people. Sometimes He will use people as a conduit and speak through them, but you must always use discernment.

“Time isn’t to be wasted but neither is your life. Let God lay the blueprint so it comes out right.”

-Bianca A. McCormicks-Johnson ✍🏽

Check out my books by clicking the links below:

I’m G.O.O.D. – Volume One

https://a.co/d/dDLzPDo

I’m Still G.O.O.D. – Volume Two

https://a.co/d/8t5nx9m

You Woke Up Today

If you’re reading this, it means you woke up today. Not everyone did. So be grateful. Whether you woke up in good or bad spirits, you still woke up. Whether you woke up to good or bad news, you still woke up.

My take on waking up is this: 1) I defeated the devil by doing so. 2) I’m given another opportunity to show love, grace, and mercy to someone. 3) I get to soak up another day of life’s blessings. 4) I’m one day closer to achieving my goals.

“I defeated the devil by doing so“

Waking up is a blessing from God, not Satan. Satan fills us with enough stress, worry, and anxiety to kill us in our sleep. That’s why it is important to go to bed with positive thoughts. You must keep the enemy from attacking you, even while you sleep.

Natural causes of death will occur. That’s fate. But if you don’t get control of your thoughts and emotions, you’ll become a lifeless, miserable soul. You might be physically woke but dying within. Thus, God also wakes us up to give us another chance to choose happiness.

“I’m given another opportunity to show love, grace, and mercy to someone”

I believe that as long as God continues to breathe life into me, the least I can do is give life to someone else by showing love, grace, or mercy. It’s called, “paying it forward”.

You don’t realize how much of a blessing waking up is until you’ve learned that someone you knew did not wake up today. Therefore, I try to treat every day like it’s my last. I will show love to someone in sometimes the simplest ways like sending a kind text message. I will help whomever I can whenever I can. I will forgive quickly and keep it moving.

Obedience is my priority, and I lead by example. That’s my mission.

“I get to soak up another day of life’s blessings”

The biggest blessings I enjoy waking up to are God’s grace, my family, and my health. Nothing else matters more. Some people wake up to the stock market. Some wake up to social media or television. Some wake up to music or whatever floats their boat. I can’t weigh your blessings on my scale. However, some of the little things I enjoy waking up to are a bed, a home with A/C and heat, transportation, and good food!

“I’m one day closer to achieving my goals”

Whether it seems like it or not, every calendar day counts toward achieving your goals, short and long term. Weren’t we just in 2024? Aren’t we already in April? Before you know it, you’ll be paying off that debt, owning that car or home, graduating from college, starting that business, taking that dream vacation, or saying “I do” at the alter. But one of the easiest ones you can achieve is getting closer to God.

Say it with me, “I am blessed because I woke up today!”

“If tomorrow isn’t promised, then don’t take today for granted. Happiness is a mindset. You just have to demand it.”

-Bianca A. McCormick-Johnson ✍🏽