Every once in a while, we all need to take the time to reevaluate our lives through self-reflection. Maybe you aren’t as happy as you used to be or feel like you are stuck somehow.

When was the last time you sat down and reflected on things—your relationships, your career path, and your happiness and well-being?

If we wish to live exceptional lives, we’ve got to get clear on who we want to be, what we want in different areas of our lives, and how we want to live our lives overall.

If you’re not getting clear on what you most want, your life experience will be a hodgepodge of random people and experiences- some good, some not so good, some just kind of “blah.”

But that’s not why you’re here, is it? You’re not here to live a so-so, humdrum kind of life. You aren’t here in this body, at this time, on this planet to merely go through the motions of life and to be at the mercy of the people and situations around you. Taking time out for self-reflection can help you discover why you are here and how to make it happen for you.

How can you find happiness?

Try looking at the little things—the first word from your child, a beautiful sunset or something else that, while seemingly small, can bring a smile to your face even for just a minute. Are you looking for the happiness that is in your life? There may be a hidden “gem” in your life that you hadn’t even thought brought you happiness. The small things in life can bring you happiness and self-realization when you least expect it.

Do you focus only on the negative events in your life? There will be negative moments in life – it’s just a part of the overall human experience, but you can choose how negative events affect you and look for the positive ones.

Happiness is a perpetually present choice we make. Happiness can exist alongside adversity. Granted, some moments in life are happier than others. However, it is our personally empowered outlook of the situation that can make all the difference. True happiness comes from within and coexists with the ups and downs of life.

Does it feel there is little or no happiness in your life? Remember to take the time to reflect on, as well as enjoy, those happy moments. You may even want to make a happiness journal in which you write down one or two things that made you happy that day. Then when you have a low moment in your day, you can pull out your journal and reflect back on that event that made you happy.