What a powerful word - choose. In life we have big choices and little choices. Our choices define us - sometimes they even haunt us. The older we get the more choices we have to make; do I get my hair colored or leave it grey, do we go on a fun expensive family vacation or take smaller more reasonably priced vacations and tackle some projects around the house, what do I need to cook for dinner tonight.
My husband told me something when we were dating and I think of it often. I even told the kids the same thing this past week. "No one can make you happy. You have to choose to be happy. It is a choice you make every day; will I be happy or not." There is so much truth to that statement. I think in today's world we look for others and things to "make" us happy; our friends, our spouse, our job, a tv show, a new car or bigger house. After a while we lose that happy feeling and we think it is the fault of the other person or the "thing" we so wanted. It is not their fault- it is our own. It took me 30+ years to learn that I am responsible for my own happiness - me, myself and I. No one else can "make" me happy.
After that epiphany - life was easy (well easier). I wasn't looking for a "quick fix" for happiness. I knew if I wanted to be happy, it was up to me to make it happen. 4 years later I am the happiest I have ever been and I have myself to thank. Does that sound selfish? Probably. But it was the choices I made and continue to make that keep me happy. I try to find happiness in the little things and I stopped waiting for the big things to make me happy. Life doesn't work that way. And why should it? Be happy! Make the choice to be happy and enjoy life.
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