Happiness by Choice

My youngest sister sent me an e-mail recently which tells of an old widower who is due to move to a nursing home. As his room was being described to him, he told the attendant that he already liked it very much. This surprised the attendant as the old man hasn't yet been to the room. The old man told him "Happiness is something I choose in advance."

How many of us in these troubling and stressful times could behave and speak like that old man? For most of us, happiness seems more of a condition rather than a choice. Of course, we're happy when it's payday or there's a pay rise or we won the lotto (Oh! It's lottery day as I write this article!). But what if there's a pile of things to be done at work not to mention the nosy colleague around the corner? When we interact again with a rude client? When things are not going well at home? Could we choose to be happy? I think we could.

The e-mail message went on to offer 5 guidelines to happiness:

1. Free you heart from hate.
2. Free your mind from worry.
3. Live simple.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

I must admit that most of these can be difficult, but we could at least try.

So if you didn't have a wage hike, be thankful because at least you have a job. If you didn't win the lotto, it's not yet the end of the world! Perhaps there's someone else who needs the money more than you do. If your love was rejected by that girl next door, then someone else might be in store for you. If you moan about how your parents watch your every step, you're lucky - most homes nowadays have a single parent.

It has been said that one of our worst enemies is our very own self. As we usher in the New Year, let's overcome ourselves. At the start of each day, say this mantra: I choose to be happy!

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Happy birthday to Manong Alvin Reyes (4 Jan), Mareng Thez Navaja (5 Jan), Gio Albano (7 Jan), Erwin Reyes (10 Jan)!