Happiness is a Decision

Happiness is a state of mind or feeling characterised by contentment, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy.

Being happy and staying happy is the desire of every human being on the surface of the earth, and I dare say even animals as well. You seldom find someone celebrating unhappiness or being sorrowful. It doesn't click, does it?

I often hear people state how unhappy they are about one thing or the other, and I use to do same until about a decade ago I learnt how to deal with unhappiness and accept the truth that Happiness is a choice.

For many people, achieving this state of happiness is a mirage - something very elusive. Some have sought for happiness in women, men, sex, marriage, religion, fame, sports, movies, soap operas, books, drugs, alcohol, just to mention a few. When these stuff seem to be offering them some sort of "happiness' (call it relief, if you want) then it all vanishes again and they are back in the dungeons of depression and unhappiness.

Dear friend, material things and other people cannot make us happy. I will agree that they could be channels or avenues through which we access the happiness we want in our lives, but they cannot in themselves offer us happiness. Happiness is something only we can create; only we can make ourselves happy.

True happiness, as I have come to find out is within you, not in the world outside. Many years ago whilst reading the gospel of St. John, verse one of chapter fourteen jumped at me and arrested my attention. In fact, the meaning I received from the statement made by the Lord Jesus Christ transformed my life so dramatically.

"Let not your heart be troubled..." (John 14:1)

I understood that the state of my heart is determined by me, not outward events or circumstances. That the condition and function of my heart is my own creation and not my current location or circumstances. That I have power to determine how I feel and how I react to any event. It's an inside job!

Friends, as much as we might like to, we cannot control certain events in our lives, and we cannot control others too. We can only control our own thoughts, emotions and actions. That is why Jesus said to his disciples , "Let not your heart be troubled..." He was essentially saying to them: "Guys, you've got the control panel and you decide what happens on the inside of you."

Do not give your heart the permission to be troubled. You have the power to determine the behaviour or, if you like, the state and function of your heart by the decisions and choices you make. So, how happy you are, or otherwise, is up to you - it's your decision, your choice. I guess Abraham Lincoln puts it even more succinctly when he said: " Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

A technique I use to enjoy each day, no matter how bad it seems to go, is to acknowledge and affirm that it's still the day the Lord has made for my rejoicing and gladness.

"This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). Notice the Psalmist says, "we will rejoice and be glad in it" indicating that it is your decision and choice. I guess he says so because in each day are sufficient resources to help you make it worth living. Listen to the Psalmist again: "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits..." (Psalm 68:19)

Although Jesus acknowledge that each day has got it's own peculiar challenges when he said, "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34 NASB), it is equally important to acknowledge that each day has got enough resources to help us overcome whatever challenges there may be and make it a productive day.

It is not what happens to you that is important, only what you choose to do with the experiences and the conclusions you draw about yourself because of them that matters. So, it is not outward circumstances that determine your happiness; it's your decision and choice. However challenging or troubling the events and circumstances of your life and work may be, you still can overcome it and live a happy life. Decide to be happy. Every blessing...