Quick thoughts on being happier

I took that one in Istanbul, crossing the Bosphorus.

While listening to Leonard Cohen’s timeless Hallelujah, half asleep on a Kraków-bound train, and three weeks into my trip, I thought it might be interesting to distill down some thoughts that have been simmering on my mind, flavored by conversations, sights, the good-old-fashioned nap in the park, some tequila shots, some sun-burnt skin, tired feet, a restless mind, and a myriad of experiences only traveling can inspire.

Living is a learning experience, and new experiences teach us that there’s correct ways to act in certain environments, things you can or can’t say, things you should or shouldn’t do. Honestly, sometimes I feel like Sheldon Cooper, trying to figure out how to be a human being.

These thoughts may be new for you, old, or maybe you forgot you had them — those are the worse. Hopefully (and this is something I always think of) we’re all learning to be better every day.

Here you go, small thoughts with deep meaning:

It’s never goodbye, it’s only farewell
Don’t readily apply old feelings on current relationships
Thinking positive thoughts won’t change your life, but it sure as hell will help you not be grumpy all day long
Enjoy love, always
Don’t be yourself because it’s cool to do so, and don’t be cool because it’s trendy, be yourself because the people that accept your quirkiness are surely the people that you’ll most enjoy hanging out with
You can only “enjoy the moment” if you’re satisfied with yourself, and how your life’s going

Just one more: if you’re reading this, smile, don’t be an asshole and tell somebody you love them, because you probably have it better than 99% of the world’s population. Complain if you must, but understand that whatever problem you may be having, someone has it worse, and they’re dealing with it.