I'm glad you're doing a little better, Arnox. I always tell myself that life is what you make it to be. It's about perception, which relates to the idea that happiness comes from within. It's easy to think too much and get caught up in the monotony and and the tediousness, but as cliche as it is, counting your blessings can at least lead to short term happiness. Since we all have internet access, our problems look like luxuries compared to a majority of the world.
I like this quote. I've seen a couple other authors credited with it, but I think it's Lou Holtz.
"Life is 10 percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it."
- Lou Holtz
It's true that some things just happen. But taking those experiences and doing something with them, reacting a certain way, and thinking with a certain mindset are within our control. So is happiness. It can boil down to the glass half full or the glass half empty; the perspective is ours.
Another quote, not sure of its origin and it's not quite biblical (but many think it is):
"Idle hands are the devil's workshop; an idle mind is the devil's playground."
Sometimes just being busy helps. A man needs to have time to be alone with his thoughts, but not too much time. We can drive ourselves crazy with too much free time. Even just going on a jog if there's nothing else to do can clear your mind and occupy your thoughts at the same time.
And lastly, consider this for meditation and prayer:
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference."
- Reinhold Niebuhr
