Pay Attention to The Little Joys.

I have watched The Princess Diaries entirely too much in my lifetime. I haven't seen in it years, but thanks to middle school, I could probably still quote the entire thing.

There's a scene in the movie where they're singing a song at choir practice: "Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, save it for a rainy day." And lately, as silly as it is and as long as it's been since I've seen the movie, that song has been popping into my head. When something good happens, I hear Mia's rebel best friend singing, "Save it for a rainy day." 

Life is so full of little joys. A hot cup of coffee, making it to work on time even though you left the house late, a stranger giving you a compliment, the perfect combination of sunshine and a good breeze. I think what happens most of the time is that these things make us happy for just a second or two, and then we forget all about them. We smile in the moment, but then we move on, leaving whatever happy thing happened in that moment.

I've been trying to pay more attention to the little joys, because heaven knows I certainly pay enough attention to the things that go wrong.

So when good things happen-an extra 15 minutes of sleep or a really pretty sunset or an unexpectedly good movie turns into a new favorite-that song plays in my head, and I think about saving all of those happy little moments.

Because we all know that when a string of bad little things happen, we can name each and every incident of bad luck. So let's do the same with the good luck days, too. The little joys, the slices of happy that make life good. Catch them and hold onto them. Save them for a rainy day.

8 Goals Everyone Should Have.

1. Complain less. Complaining usually doesn't help much, if at all. What it does do is bring you down, along with anyone who happens to be listening to you. Hanging out with people who complain all the time is exhausting. Also, being someone who complains all the time has to be exhausting. So do yourself and everyone around you a favor and start veering your comments to a more positive side.

2. Drink more water. What drinking more water does to your body is seriously magical. Your skin gets better, you have less headaches, you have more energy, you feel overall better...just by drinking water. There's no reason not to do this. Buy a cute tumbler and keep it filled all day!

3. Compliment others. Compliments are so easy. They are free, quick ways to make someone's day so much better. If you like the color of someone's shirt, say so. If someone went out of their way to help you, mention it. Throw compliments around freely.

4. Practice being thankful. Complaining makes your day worse. Want to know what makes it better? Being thankful. For big things, little things, in-between things.

5. Get rid of what you don't use. I tend to form sentimental bonds with everything that I own...until said things are taking over my apartment. Listen: Throw stuff away. If you don't use it anymore, toss it. If you don't wear it anymore, give it away. Life is about experiences, not things.

6. Learn how to survive without takeout. I could easily eat Chick-Fil-A for every single meal and be a very happy person. But do you know who's not happy with that arrangement? My wallet. Also, my waistline. Everyone should know how to cook a meal or two at home. It's cheaper, healthier, and you can do so in your pajamas. So, we're looking at a win/win/win here.

7. Enjoy reading. Not everyone loves reading fiction, or even books in general. I get it. I don't understand it, but hey. Just because you don't like reading books doesn't mean you should swear off reading. Reading is a great way to learn--both really cool things and also completely unnecessary, but fun, things. There's plenty you can read without ever cracking open a book--magazines, articles, newspapers. Fill your brain with some good words.

8. Think before you speak speak, write, text, post, tweet...etc. I have a favorite quote when it comes to speaking out on controversial matters:

Does this need to be said?
Does this need to be said by me? 
Does this need to be said by me right now?

If you actually think about those things before saying whatever you wanted to say, chances are you'd regret a lot less.

What goals do you think everyone should have?