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Friday, April 18, 2014

Happiness Is A Choice

I was driving in my car today when the popular Pharrell Williams song "Happy" popped on the radio. I couldn't help smiling as I listened to the lyrics of this simple tune.


Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do



 
And the thought popped into my head: happiness is a choice. It's like seeing a glass half full or half empty. You might say, well my life is miserable, where can I find the joy in that? But you can.  I remember shooting a video for the charitable organization CARE, International. We flew to Nicaragua and the first location was in a garbage dump.  People were actually living in a garbage dump. They made their homes in primitive shacks, and the adults spent their days looking for salvageable items they could sell. One would think these people would be miserable, they certainly had every right to be, but they were all joyful. Their young ones laughing and playing in the piles of garbage. Sweet and loving, and grateful we were there to help with their plight.

There's a very humorous article "The 14 Habits of Highly Miserable People", which categorizes the ways we self-sabotage, and contribute to a miserable life.  I know people like that.  I choose not to be.

Find the joys in life.
Explore the little things that make you smile.
Count your blessings and be grateful for what you do have.
Watch a funny movie, or anything that makes you laugh.
Listen to uplifting music.
Read a spiritual book.
Surround yourself with happy people.
Refuse to let things get you down.
If a negative thought pops into your head, replace it with something positive.
Help someone who is less fortunate than you.
Dance to some happy music.
Smile. Laugh. Love.

It is a choice.

Pharrell recorded a 24 hour music video of people dancing to "Happy". Check it out, it's fun.

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