Happiness is a choice
We all want to be happy. But, for so many people, happiness seems to have eluded them. So, where can I find happiness in life? That is the question addressed in this short post. The following is taken from Joel Osteen, Every Day a Friday – How to be Happier 7 Days a Week.
“John was ninety-two years old and blind, but he was just as sharp as could be when his wife, Eleanor, went to be with the Lord. He didn’t feel he should live alone, so John decided to move into a nice seniors’ home.
On the morning of the move, he was up and fully dressed by 8:00 a.m. As always, the elderly gentleman looked impeccable, with his hair perfectly combed and his face neatly shaven. A cab picked him up and took him to the seniors’ home.
John arrived early, as was his habit, and waited more than an hour before a young aide, Melinda, came in to show him his new room. As John maneuvered his walker through the hallways, Melinda described his room in great detail. She said sunlight came in through a big window, and there was a comfortable couch, , and a nice desk area.
Right in the middle of her description, John interrupted her and said, ‘I love it, I love it, I love it.’ Miranda laughed and said, ‘Sir, we’re not there yet, You haven’t seen it. Hold on just a minute and I’ll show it to you.’
John said, ‘No, you don’t have to show it to me. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged, it depends on how my mind is arranged. Happiness is something you decide ahead of time.’
As wise old John understood, happiness is a choice. When you wake up in the morning you can choose what kind of day you want to have. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.
CHOOSE HAPPINESS – My purpose in writing this book is to help you to arrange your mind so that you choose happiness each and every day. Whatever challenges you may face, whatever circumstances are weighing you down, you can choose your response.
How you live your life is totally up to you. It’s not dependent on your circumstances. It’s dependent on your choices. Abraham Lincoln said, ‘Most people are as happy as they’ve decided to be.’
from Joel Osteen, Every Day a Friday – How to be Happier 7 Days a Week, Faith Words, Hachette Book Group, New York, 2011, pp. 3-4.
What Are Your Patterns of Thought?
I have discovered that the answer to the question ‘Where Can I Find Happiness in Life?’ lies within. Emerson said that you become what you think about all day long. Are you dwelling on the negative?
The Key – You must become fully conscious of your thought patterns. Pay close attention to what you are thinking throughout the day. If you discover that you are entertaining a thought that leads to a bad feeling, replace that thought with one that makes you feel good. Dwelling on the negative only leads to destruction. How could you possibly be happy if you allow negativity to flow through your mind on a consistent basis?
We all know people like that though don’t we? Always negative. Always complaining. Many life coaches advise to move away from such people. They are referred to as ‘toxic’ personalities.
As with most things in life this takes some practice. You will find, however, that the more you become conscious of what thoughts you entertain throughout the day, the better you will be at replacing the negative with positive, uplifting thoughts. Thoughts that make you feel good. If you have been wondering ‘where can I find happiness in life?’ you have found your answer. The rest is up to you.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
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Grant Rayner