My friend Ashley asked while nibbling on her pinky fingernail.
I laughed.
"What do you mean?"
"Like rate your happiness level from 1-10, your satisfaction level in general."
"Ten. What about you?"
"Seven," She said.
"Why?"
"Hmm well, I don't know," she said as she spat her nail out of her mouth; her freckles sparkled in the sun, they looked like specks of dust, rosy and pale.
That night I lay in my bed and thought a lot about the question Ashley had asked me. I thought even more about her response.
Seven.
Why. I mean, I understand, but it kind of bothered me. A little. To be honest.
Sure, I've struggled and I still don't have everything that I need or everything that I want. Some days, I'm an emotional mess and have no clue what I'm doing with my life. I'm far from perfect and I'm so, very unstable.
I usually just close my eyes and take the leap.
Yet, I chose a ten.
Why a ten, isn't that the "perfect" life, some people might be thinking.
And my answer is: yes. A ten. Because it's my perfect life and I'm honestly so grateful for the ups and the downs.
I've honestly struggled a lot, I've been through a lot, and I've seen a lot. I chose a ten because life isn't perfect, but you sure as hell can decide what kind of person you want all of the experiences that you've faced to carve you into; you sure as hell can decide what kind of life you want to live, despite all of the surprises and spontaneity that it has to offer.
Happiness is a choice. If you rate your life a seven, a one, a two, or a ten; then that's what it's going to be. It's all in your head, your brain is a pretty powerful organ and believe me when I say that your mindset has a HUGE impact on your life overall.
I chose a ten because I want my life to be a ten; as a matter of fact, my life is a ten, to me.
I love my family.
I love my friends.
I love every single experience that I've been through, good and bad.
I have food available to me at all times.
I have air conditioner.
I have a roof over my head.
And I'm healthy.
What else could a person want?! There are so much people in the world who WISH, absolutely wish, that they had half of the stuff that you have. Half.
There are families whose parents and children are dying of starvation or war. There are little orphans who are sold and abused.
Sure, you have struggles, but everyone does. Life was made for you to struggle, but also for you to enjoy and for you to be grateful for all of the good that it has to offer as well.
I don't know, but I feel like not rating my overall life a ten or asking for more would be pretty selfish (of me).
Take a deep breath in, cuddle on your favorite couch, and list all of the things that you're grateful for in life.
Hopefully you'd answer with a ten as well.
It's all about perception and your mindset.
Your life is a ten if you want it to be a ten.
