“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”
― Abraham Lincoln

From the moment I read the words “happiness is a choice”, I decided to be happy.  I do not remember where I read that, but the lesson has stayed with me.

I make that choice every single day.  Some days are easy. Some days not so much.

Some days are all sunshine, butterflies and cupcakes.  Some days not so much.  Some days, it all seems to be falling apart and I struggle not to fall into the victim mentality trap. 

At those moments,  I really have to work hard to remember that I can be happy no matter what is going on in my life and around me.

Happiness is not something to be achieved or acquired, but is learning to appreciate all we already have in our lives.   

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of best and fastest way for me to achieve instant happiness is to make a gratitude list.  Counting my blessings puts me in a happy mental space. Smiling and being grateful for being alive is pure happiness. 

Chocolate cake and fresh bread with butter also help 😉

But all kidding aside. I work hard at not having my happiness tied to a person, circumstance or an achievement. I am happy just because I make that choice. Every morning I wake up and I make that choice.

Life is about choices. 

***

1 Year already!!!!!!

On February 23, it marked one year since meeting Michael face to face – we started exchanging messages on February 8.

Michael has made my life more fun, more adventurous, and indeed happier. 

BUT, I was happy before him.  He was happy before me.  I don’t expect him to make me happy.  He doesn’t expect me to make him happy.  We are just happier together!

And we plan on being happier together forever!

“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.” ― Albert Camus