I’ve heard it said that you can’t think your way into feeling good. Instead, you have to act your way into right thinking. I’ve had a miserable couple of weeks at work, doing some tasks that I absolutely abhor — tasks that really hurt my pride (and build humility). Yet I’ve managed, for the most part, to maintain a positive attitude — to try and live the gospel for the sake of others. Today though, I was pretty close to just letting go with my emotions. What stopped me? The same thing that has kept me going for the past couple of weeks. Action.

Today after work, I wanted to come home and go into seclusion. I wanted to lay on the couch, turn on the television, and pout. Rather than go for my scheduled jog and make the dinner that I had committed to, I wanted to go out and grab some Subway sandwiches so that I didn’t have to do anything. These feelings lasted for about 15 minutes, when I realized that the path that I was heading down was one where I was going to try to think myself happy. And experience has shown me that thinking myself happy is something that never happens. I have to get up and do something — preferably for someone else!

I’ve been working hard to lose the vices in my life and grow in virtue.  I’m finally starting to see that the simple acts of penance that I do on a daily basis — the simple things that I can offer up to God — along with a more consistent prayer life, have really begun to help me grow.  Life isn’t perfect, but it sure feels pretty close most of the time.  The times that I’m feeling down don’t last nearly as long as they once did.

So the next time that you’re feeling down, go do something for someone else.  You have to act your way into right thinking.