Happiness is a Decision!

My sister sent me this quote yesterday, courtesy of Michael J. Fox: "Happiness is a decision". Hmmmm, happiness is a decision. That's not exactly an amazing quote, from literary standpoint, but how profound for all of us on an internal level! This is a man who has been battling Parkinson's for years and who has decided to be happy regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the fact that he has progressively lost control over the one thing that most of us take for granted...his body. I don't know about you, but that makes me feel like a bit of a jerk. It's not for the fact that I complain a lot, because I don't. I feel like a jerk for all of the blessings I take for granted; for all of the blessings I've missed because I didn't pay enough attention. I feel like a jerk for the fact that my "happiness list" should be a whole lot longer than it is right now!

I have learned that only in discomfort do most of us build character and my discomfort has taught me more in my life than I can tell you. Clearly, I have more lessons to learn. You see, so many of the people who I talk to completely agree that "the trying of your faith worketh patience"; they know that things are hard, but (at least they say that) it's teaching them and helping them grow as human beings. I thought that I was right up there with the best of them, searching and praying and really paying attention to who I was and how I was going to excel in this life. But...my gratitude list isn't what it could be. Yes, things are hard and yes, I'm struggling. I'm also growing and I have faith that there is a purpose to my life and to my trials. Since I was a little girl, I have believed that true understanding comes from nothing but experience and I have prayed that if someone had to go through "the bad stuff", it would be me. I knew that I could handle it and I knew I wanted to be able to help others. How can I help other people if I don't truly understand?

Well, God keeps answering that prayer! (Even if every now and then I've tried to take it back! - smile) So, my latest lesson? I have peace about my path and I have happiness in many ways, but I could have so much more happiness if only I would get out of my own way and pay attention!

My question to you: ARE YOU CHOOSING TO BE HAPPY???