Each day I have the ability to live in happiness. It is my choice. I am the one that holds the controls to the atmoshpere of my heart. Undoubtedly, there are days when I miss loved ones or things don’t go exactly how I expect that I feel sad or disappointed. Often there are days my body reminds me I am not where I want to be on my health journey. It’s up to me to determine how it will affect my life.
Therfore, I choose to have all my days to be happy days! Some days I wake up with joy in my heart and the choice is easy. Others, I might be well into the day before my feelings line up with my will. But even in the hardest of days or when life throws curve balls I never see coming, underneath it all, I find that spark of happiness and rest in it.
You see, I’ve found the secret to happiness. It’s thankfulness. No matter how bad things are, I can always find something to be thankful for. Years ago, when going through a particularly difficult season in life, I began to journal each day three things I am thankful for. It almost sounds too easy, but it worked every single time. Sadness and thankfulness can’t share the same space in our minds.
I no longer journal “three things” every day. I’ve learned to recognize the signs and realize it’s up to me to turn it around. Anxiety, depression, worry, and fear are friends. When one comes in, they bring the others. The sooner I acknowledge their presence, the less time, health, and peace is stolen. I just have to stop and remind myself of all the the things I have to be thankful for. Thankfulness is the antidote to a heavy heart. Maybe it may sound too easy, but for me, it works every single time.
The apostle Paul found this to be true as well when he admonished the Christians in Philipi with these words…
“I say it again: rejoice! Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe as you live in Christ Jesus. In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.”
What a gift our amazing minds are! We can choose to change our thinking and even the course of our lives! So today, every day, I choose happy days!
