We seem to think that happiness is something that happens to us. We all want to be happy – but as I watch people’s actions (including my own) we’re all waiting around for happiness to happen to us.
We’re waiting for…
- The perfect job.
- The perfect spouse.
- The perfect kids.
- The perfect friend.
- The perfect house.
- The perfect car.
- The perfect boss.
- The perfect weather.
- The perfect party.
- The perfect day.
- The perfect, etc.
Bottom line, we’re waiting for perfection to happen to us and THEN, and only then, happiness may happen, too. (Preachy warning: There has been just one person that was perfect, we ain’t Him, but He does offer tremendous happiness. More on that in another post.)
Did you ever think that happiness just might be a choice? What if, just like we choose what to wear and what to eat, we can “put on” happiness and wear it like our favorite jeans?
I believe that happiness is a decision we can make right here, right now – so why don’t we CHOOSE to be happy?!
Try it – today – a random Wednesday. You might have the day from hell on your calendar. Your kids may be monsters, your spouse doesn’t listen, and your boss is a jerk. Welcome to life. Now with what lens will you CHOOSE to view it?
Screw it. Choose happiness.
Max Lucado is my favorite author – hands down. He has been a New York Times best-seller about a zillion times. In his new book, “How Happiness Happens,” he writes of Johnny Barnes of Bermuda. Johnny, known to locals as Mr. Happy Man, will stand in a round-about (BRAVE soul), smile, and wave. At complete strangers. Every day he dons a massive, floppy straw hat, vigorously waves at total strangers, blows kisses to those who look especially sour, and spreads happiness.
He’s listed as an attraction in Bermuda.
He chooses to be happy. Today, do the same. As an experiment, look yourself in the mirror, tell yourself how damn handsome you are, smile, hop in the car, and wave like a certifiable fool at every car you meet on the way to work. I’m serious. Wave like it’s your best friend from high school. Wave like you’re being paid. Spread happiness – I bet it makes you happy, too. Do me a favor – just try it once or twice – and report your findings below.
Because happiness is a choice – an action that we choose to make. We all have a choice. Choose to smile, not frown. Choose to lift one another up, not tear one another down. Choose to hold the door open for a stranger. Pray for random people on the street. Let the words of your mouth and the works of your hands be for good. And #PleaseDoGoodStuff (including waving at a stranger).
I love you. Have a great day.
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The response to yesterday’s blog has been nothing short of tremendous. Thank you. Please continue sharing it with friends. I’m still planning on having coffee Saturday at 8:30. It may be me alone reading the newspaper. But I’m working on a place to gather. I’ll let you know later today. It would be awesome if you could come!