The Small Choices That Change How You Feel

What do you use to inspire peace, happiness, purpose, and well-being in your life?

It’s a question worth pausing for—because even though we can’t control everything happening in the world (or sometimes even in our own lives), we can choose what we let in. The messages we read, the music we play, the people we spend time with—all of these shape our energy, our outlook, and our sense of balance.

What Lifts Me Up

For me, music is one of the quickest ways to shift my mood. I can put on Be the Change by Donna De Lory, or listen to Eva Cassidy or Jason Mraz, and immediately feel my heart lift.

I love reading books that remind me of what’s possible—like The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor, Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine, Whatever Arises, Love That by Matt Kahn, or The Shift by Wayne Dyer.

I even look forward to certain emails in my inbox (yes, really!). Messages from people like David Romanelli, Abraham-Hicks, Melli O’Brien, and Jason Kotecki (Escape Adulthood) always seem to offer the perfect dose of insight or humor at just the right moment.

And of course, spending time with uplifting people—friends, family, even colleagues—fills my cup. Add in a walk or bike ride, yoga, gardening, dancing, or simply petting my cats and dog, and my stress melts away.

Some of my most peaceful moments come when I’m just being—sitting on the porch, meditating, praying, or watching the world wake up around me.

Your Turn

There are so many things we can’t control, but we can intentionally create moments that bring us peace and joy. It’s not about pretending life is perfect—it’s about balancing the noise with what nourishes our spirit.

So here’s an invitation: make your own list. What music, books, people, or simple moments help you feel grounded and grateful? Which ones will you choose to enjoy this week?

To browse (and share!) past positivity tips, visit this page.

Tina Hallis, Ph.D., is a thought-shifter! She is a professional speaker and founder of The Positive Edge, a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations increase their positivity to improve the quality of people’s work lives and the quality of company cultures.