How to be happier

I am writing this in the hope that it will help others. Suicides and mass shootings are more prevalent now then they have ever been. Too many are deciding that killing themselves and others is the solution. Depression can be a result of a chemical imbalance, or it could be caused by environmental factors, everybody is different. The bottom line is that nobody is free of problems, and our minds have a way of compounding them. Life can be extremely frusturating and unfulfilling sometimes.  It doesn't matter who you are, sadness affects everybody, and for some, giving up may feel like the only choice.
Here is a thought though.
You are in control of your mind, and your life. For me, sometimes the simplest solutions are the ones that help the most when I feel bleak and empty.  I am not claiming to have the answers to cure depression, but here are a few insights I have gathered from friends and family that help me when I am feeling depleted.

1. Think of a time when you were happy. Now remind yourself that you will have more of these moments. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring.

2. If you are unhappy about something that has not actually happened, or happened in the past, let it go. Forgiveness is not for the person you are forgiving, but for yourself. Free yourself. The present moment is now, and that is what matters. Don't let the ghosts of your past ruin your now.

3. Look at life as a series of moments, rather then one long one. For me, mentally  breaking life up into moments instead of a single long moment helped create a different perspective at how I look at my life. Some moments are good, some bad, some mundane. Add the moments up and you have the movie that is your life.

4. Remind yourself of the big picture. Time will pass, and the scenery of your life will change too. Nobody can see into the future, and life surprises us, sometimes. No matter how bleak the situation, it can always improve in an instant.

5. Don't ever give up. Everybody has a special gift to offer the world, and even if you don't know what your gift is yet, that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. If you are alive and reading this, you have already influenced someone just by being.

6. Keep yourself busy. If your having trouble controlling your thoughts, the worst thing you can do is wallow in them. Start doing something, anything to busy yourself, even if it's just the dishes.

7. Get out of the house. Go for a walk, go to the mall. Sometimes just crossing a threshold can create a new perspective.

8. If you are a believer, pray. I rely on God to give me strength when I don't have it myself.

It's totally normal to be sad or have anxiety sometimes too. Life is both beautiful and tragic. Keep your chins up and your lights shining.