Even in my active pursuit to cherish life, I still get annoyed when I can’t find a parking spot, defensive when someone offers me constructive criticism, and mad when I don’t meet my goal in the gym. But what really burns me up is that I let these minor upsets, these silly grievances, these everyday this-is-life occurrences sour my mood.

Daily annoyances do not deserve my heartache. In my opinion, they do not even deserve my nod towards the negative. I’m trying (almost desperately) to change how I view these little bits of the imperfect in my life. I’m trying to take them for what they are: unavoidable and unimpressive. They aren’t worthy of emotional turmoil or frustration. They should be acknowledged only to push me into cultivating and pursuing my coping method: the thing that allows me to brush off red lights, printers without paper, and no creamer for my coffee.

Perspective is my method, making good times glow like the wonder of fireflies sparkling on a summer night and adding clarity to the bad times.

Don’t wait until a life-threatening car wreck or the loss of a job for perspective to serve its purpose. Use perspective now. Right now. Use it to show that the irritation of everyday this-is-life moments can be stomped out simply with a zest for life.

Save heartache for when your perspective determines that it is a time for heartache. Until then, listen to beautiful music in traffic and giggle that the restaurant gave you regular soda when you asked for diet. Perspective has the power to bring joy to these moments.

Elaine Bailey is currently a full-time student majoring in writing, rhetoric and communication. When she’s not working on papers, she is spending time with her family and friends or pursuing her passion for travel. She lives life joyfully and wishes to radiate that joy, zest, and excitement for life to everyone she meets.