Is It Possible To Be Happy?
Is it possible to be happy even in our current society? Television, especially the news has a great deal of influence over the how we think about ourselves and the world. Gas prices and layoffs seemed to be the top stories for nearly two years. It made people afraid to spend money, including businesses. Television also tells us how we are supposed to look, dress, think and feel. If we don't look a certain way, we don't fit in and it affects how we feel. All because someone "said" this is how life is supposed to be.
I said all that to say, regardless to all the negativity you hear or are exposed to, you are in
control. You can decide what affects you and what won't. Happiness is a choice. It does not matter
if the economy is good or bad, it is possible to be happy. But how is happiness possible in a
negative world?
We each have our own "world." What's your world like? I remember a lady making the statement that no one is spending money. That was true in her world or environment. This is what she saw so her attitude was shaped by it. In my environment or in my world, I saw people spending every day as if the economy situation had never happened. We can tune out what we don't want to see. They (media) can show us negative images but we don't have to look.
People have a tendency to think that when "certain things" happen in their life they will be happy. "I will be happy when . . ." What if that never happens? Will you not be happy until then?
Reasons for Unhappiness
The reason many people are not happy is because they did not make the desicion to be happy and stay happy. It takes work in the beginning, but it becomes habit after a while. I have had all types of jobs and I decided to like each one of them and be happy. There was only one job that I did not like. I was miserable. I decided not to like that job. We decide to be happy or unhappy. It's our choice.
Another reason for unhappiness is unfulfilled purpose. You can be happy even in the worst of situations. It just depends how you look at the situation. Many people have a hard time believing someone can be truly happy when something bad has happened in their lives. Only a solid relationship with God enables us to be happy when there is no reason to be.
Ways to Be Happy
In short, you can decide today to be happy. Just make the decision. Here are a few additional ways to be happy:
- First, decide to be happy no matter what.
- Find your life's purpose. Ask God what your purpose is.
- Include some kind of daily devotion.
- Talk to God often.
- Listen to God often.