Happiness…You Make the Choice!

Happiness is defined as: a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. When I read this, the word that spoke to me, was CONTENTMENT. So I asked myself, am I content with my life, am I happy where I am, with what I have? Now, this doesn’t mean I do not have dreams or aspirations, it just means I am okay with where I am right now.

 

While driving to work I often watch those that pass me by (or to be honest, those that I pass by… lol) …wondering what is going on in their lives. I’ve heard that if you think your life is bad, someone else’s is worse. As I watch them pass, talking on a cell phone or speeding through the yellow light, all with frowns or scowls on their faces, I wonder what it is that makes these people so unhappy, or at least look so unhappy? Do I “look” unhappy? I’m not unhappy, am I? Uncomfortable, yes sometimes my life is uncomfortable…it’s not all roses and rainbows, but I try to make the best of what I have been given, right? Or am I holding myself back?

 

A few weeks ago I attended the monthly Columbia Chamber Women’s Network luncheon and heard a dynamic speaker (Will Bowen) who blew me away with his encouragement and enthusiasm for life! I left this luncheon feeling good about myself and my life. Knowing that if I complained about my life, it didn’t change it, it just made me feel worse. This was a good reminder, that I CHOOSE if I’m HAPPY or NOT. Wanting to be happy, I researched his book Happy This Year and read on the website the summary to include “Happiness is not the result of getting or achieving. Rather, happiness is a cause that is the shortest and most direct path to personal fulfillment and achievement.” And I knew I wanted THAT!! I want to be happy! I want to make happiness a priority in my life!

 

Making happiness a priority in my life includes teaching my children that their happiness is up to them, this is huge. When I’m having a down day, or things seem to not be working out, my daughter reminds me of this life lesson. Such a sweet spirit my baby girl has…like I said above, our life is not roses and rainbows, we have struggles just like everyone else, but how we deal with our life struggles, is more important.

A few of the ways we handle struggles are:

– Remembering that God has a plan for our lives. Yes, we make choices in life, but ultimately He is in control and knows what will happen, before it does.

– I cannot control what someone else chooses to say or do.

– Ask myself is this a pure and loving decision or is it selfish or sinful. It nothing else, this keeps you in check.

– Slow down and have patience. I know in the middle o the struggle it doesn’t seem like you have time to, but remember, life is a journey not a race! 🙂 this is very hard for me…

– Ask, what am I to learn from this? If you are in a struggle and you have been there before, you didn’t learn the first time…so LEARN this time!

 

Two quotes to live by…“Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket” and “A smile doesn’t cost anything, but can change someone’s day”

 

I try to apply this to my life, it doesn’t always work, but I try! Remember to be happy, happy people are prettier, more attractive and have more friends. Choose to be HAPPY, choose to be HAPPY…keep telling yourself this…you’ll get there! J

 

Thanks for reading and have a great rest of your week.