Choose Happiness?

Is happiness a choice?

I think so. Actually, I know it experientially. Happiness or any other state of being is most definitely a choice.

Many of you may read this and think "He's nuts! How on earth do you expect me to experience happiness when I just got fired, broke up with my girlfriend and stubbed my toe all in one day!"

Consider for a moment the difference between doing and being. What you are doing is not necessarily the same as who you are being.

You could be cutting the grass, reading a good book or arguing with your teenage daughter over her choice of friends; all things you are doing. At the same time, you may choose to be happy, or sad, or disappointed, or any state of being you could imagine. They are related but separate.

Perhaps you doubt that it's possible to experience happiness at the same time that you do these or other things, that happiness would be quite elusive when at the same time you find yourself arguing with your wife over who makes the better macaroni and cheese. Actually, you have a point.

Coming from the perspective of happiness, certainly makes it difficult to argue with someone, however if that is your inner perspective you hold, while doing the things that you do, almost instantly you find yourself responding differently to situations that you might otherwise allow to affect your mood and feelings.

Another aspect to consider, what about a situation where you are experiencing actual pain, perhaps you have hurt yourself physically by accident or otherwise. How could you possibly feel happiness in a situation like that? Again, this may be an opportunity for you to celebrate life, and exclaim happiness at a minor accident that could be much worse, or even that the injury prevented you from doing something that would cause you more harm than a small accident.

Indeed, almost every morning when I wake (sometime I forget!) I give thanks and allow a sense of happiness to come over me, for waking to another day, for being permitted to continue my work on the earthly plane. Don't get me wrong, I definitely look forward to the day I die, yes I said it, but its true and that's all I can ever be. I'm eager to experience that once in a lifetime journey home, and to know beyond doubt but in experience what awaits me and those I am connected with. Happiness would be a small word then I think.

In the meantime, although the matters of reality can and do interfere with my happiness, I always remember (sooner or later) that it is because of the choices I make, that I create my reality, constantly, incessantly, through my thoughts, feelings, words and deeds. As do you.

So what are you going to do? Mope around all day, or at least experience happiness while doing it? Remember - Happiness is Free!! And never out of fashion.

Love yourself today,
-Mikel