Enjoying each day

“How are you today?” This is a question we hear frequently, often as a simple greeting. How many times have you responded with “Fine,” even though you weren’t really feeling that way? It’s a common reaction to answer automatically, even when your reality doesn’t feel like the “fine” you’re conveying.

Of course, it’s much easier to feel on top of the world when things are falling into place — when conflicts are minimal, when you don’t have much to worry about, or when things go exactly the way you want.

A wise friend of mine used to greet people the way I just described. If someone replied, “I’m doing great,” he’d say, “Well, then you must be getting your own way!” His point was simple: feeling great isn’t always about having everything go as planned.

So, do you need to get your own way to have a truly great day? What would it take to genuinely feel like you’re doing well, even when things aren’t perfectly aligned in your favor?

People who seem to stay happy no matter what share some key traits. First, they are steadfast optimists. Optimism is something that can be developed and nurtured over time. These people view the glass as half full. They look for the silver lining in situations that others might see as purely negative, and they trust that, no matter what happens, they’ll find a way through it. Their inner dialogue is positive, and they make a conscious choice to focus on the good instead of dwelling on the bad.

Second, they practice gratitude. Rather than focusing on what they lack, they appreciate what they already have. It’s often said that the happiest people are those who want what they already have, not those who are constantly striving for more. There’s something incredibly sad about those who spend their lives chasing after the next thing, believing it will bring them happiness — whether that’s a job, a possession, or a relationship — only to find, once again, that the satisfaction they were seeking is temporary and fleeting.

Lastly, they find ways to serve others. This doesn’t necessarily mean grand acts of charity; it can be as simple as offering a smile to a stranger, lending a hand to someone in need, or being kind to a neighbor. The act of service shifts the focus away from your own worries and creates a sense of fulfillment by helping others.

Life is too short to get bogged down by worry, anxiety, or other negative distractions that drain our energy and cloud our minds. When we practice optimism, gratitude, and service, we can shift our perspective and make every day a little brighter. So, the next time someone asks, “How are you doing today?” you can answer truthfully, with a genuine smile, “I’m doing great!”