Dalai Lama once said, “In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.” Having a positive attitude is like looking at the world through a set of lenses.  When looking through the lenses, your perspective on life becomes clearer. Being, thinking, and believing positively is optional but changes you for the better.

I moved some time ago. Moving is something I did quite often, courtesy of being a military brat. Long story short, I became friends with people who were not happy. Almost every time I would talk to them, they would either complain or talk about how depressed they were. Constantly being around such negative energy caused me to feel unhappy. This was not an extreme shift; I did not start skipping class, turn to drugs, or become clinically depressed. However, my outlook on life became dull and dispirited.

I moved again a couple years later. My new friends did not stay my friends for long, with the exception of a couple. Although they did not continue to stay in my life after I moved, again, they left a lasting impact. Just talking to them for the first few months was so refreshing and encouraging. I quickly learned how to push out all the negativity and embrace being positive.

I am inspired to keep a positive lifestyle and see in a more positive light. I noticed an instant transformation in my mood and conversations. Whenever I am asked, “How are you?” I give a genuine reply. My response is normally “I’m great” but if I am feeling under the weather, I do not lie. I can feel overwhelmed or sad, just like any other human being, but I do not let it take over.

One thing that inspired me to be positive was the documentary, The Secret, directed by  Drew Heriot, Sean Byrne, Damian McLindon, and Marc Goldenfein. This movie is based off of the phenomenon of how to keep a happy and successful life. The secret is whatever goes on in your mind will manifest itself into the real world, also known as the “law of attraction”. By believing you can do or be something, the universe will create this thought into a reality. For example, if someone is anticipating an important test and says to himself over and over that he will not pass, he probably will not.

Happiness is definitely a choice. Just by changing your outlook on life, you choose to become a happier person. Go through life thinking half full, rather than half empty.