My daughter and I saw the Emoji Movie this week – a perfect movie for an 8 year old on a hot rainy day. The movie was about a young enthusiastic emoji named Gene who was trying to be “normal”. While all other emoji’s had only one facial expression Gene had many more than his “meh” upbringing.

I loved it because we are all multi-dimensional. I mean if we all had just one emotion, how boring would life be, right? Unlike other emoji’s Gene was able to express himself in any way he wanted. The key here is that he chose what his expression was.

We have that same power. We can choose to be Meh or Amazing. If I had to choose, I would pick amazing any time. But that’s always not so easy when we are faced with an array of obstacles – bills that need paying, relationships that are less than perfect, health issues that arise out of nowhere.

While life does have a way of throwing curve balls, we have to choose how we react. I know this is ain’t always easy but it is important enough to practice.

“Life is 10 %what happens to you and 90 % how you react to it”.

– Charles R. Swindoll

Here are a few quick fixes that may help get you from Meh to Amazing again:

SMILE – I know this may seem silly but it works. The next time you are feeling less than happy- smile! My daughter was nervous about something one day and I asked her to smile. She knew it was silly but it actually worked. She wound up hysterically laughing which was even better. So, fake it till you make it. Why not?

THE “WHAT’S WORST” GAME – When things seem to worry you and you cannot shake it, take a reality check. Ask yourself, “what is the absolute worst thing that could happen in this situation?” In most cases if you break it down, it really isn’t that bad.

GIVE IT AWAY – If all else fails decide to hand over your problem to the Universe (God, source or whatever you believe). Just envision yourself holding the problem in your hand and actually handing it over. Then take a deep breath and have faith that all will work out.

Try these and put whichever works for you in your emoji toolkit. The next time you need an amazing expression, you can reach right it and grab it.

So don’t let life’s little challenges get in the way of your happiness.

Decide to be happy.

Originally published at www.happinessdepends.com