happiness is a choice.

Happiness is a state of mind. Not a set of circumstances. You just can’t search for it outside you; it is a feeling from within. Don’t try to be happy, simply be happy. So why should we settle for less? Let’s have a happy day today.
Sender: Checa Casane, Nov 20, 2007; 9:24am

It took three long months, two stories, and a movie just for this simple message to penetrate my heart. 

Story number 1:
 

“Tito, mag-ingat po kayu sa mga taxi, kasi po yung ibang taxi driver manloloko, tinataasan nila yung metro para mahal mabayaran nyo” ang paalala ng isang binata sa kanyang tito na kaluluwas lang sa Manila. Ang sagot ng kanyang tito: “Ok lang yun, di naman ako palagi dun sa manila, kaya minsan lang din silang makaloko sa akin. Pabayaan na nating maging masaya sila kahit minsan.” (tito Nards Sagales)

At first I find the Tito’s reply surprising, stupid at that, but as I ponder deeply, I then appreciate the wisdom behind. More than just being dazed, I am actually inspired.
 

Here’s the second story:
 

It’s raining hard. A man was waiting for a bus going to his work when suddenly two young boys happily playing in the rain accidentally splashed his clothes with dirty water and then ran away laughing. But to everybody’s surprise the man just smiled and did nothing as if nothing happened. Another man noticed and curiously asked why. His reply was: “I’m just happy I was able share to their happiness”.
 

*** 

Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy and allow others to be happy too or you can choose to be sour and let those around you suffer. If you allow unfortunate events to dictate your happiness, then you’re in danger of missing God’s over-abundant grace. We may have good reason to be upset, but does being unhappy will change anything for the better? Will your being negative improve anything? If your answer is NO then you might as well choose to be happy, enjoy life and allow others to be happy too.


Live, laugh and loveoutloud!