Creating Our Own Happiness

I recently noticed how many folks torment themselves by constantly dwelling on the negative issues in their lives.

One neighbor, instead of being grateful for all the plus-items connected with our senior mobile home community, chooses to ferret out negatives. Compared to other communities in our immediate area, and the economy in general, we are very blessed. In a recent conversation, I began by trying to offset each negative complaint with a positive issue. It didn't work. This person chose to be miserable and worried. I stopped trying to turn the attitude around, and instead said a silent prayer for whatever that person needed to be happy.

In another case, a friend's co-workers constantly dwell on their income levels from 20 years ago. He tries hard to show them that the economy is bad all over the country, not just in their backyard or their industry. It doesn't work. He finally rolls up his cab window when the negative drivers come by, to avoid being infected by their negativity. It's hard enough for him to keep himself upbeat, without letting himself be affected by their complaints. I've often worked with co-workers who had similar attitudes; I completely understand.

Now, I'm not a blissfully perpetually-smiling Pollyanna. But I try very hard to keep from being "down" for more than a few minutes or a half hour at a time. That's about all I can afford, or I would get nothing done, and I'd be totally miserable. I must create my own happiness.

I've often mentioned the words that I still carry in my heart, said by the Reverend Robert H. Schuller of Crystal Cathedral fame: "...we cannot help what happens to us in life, but we can help how we react to it."

So, I try to avoid allowing others to pull me into their web of self-pity, and I try, instead, to pray for whatever they need in their hearts, and for whatever I need in my own heart and soul. I am, you see, responsible for my own happiness, no matter what others do or say around me.

Father, thank you for always being there to help me start again, whenever I have a moment or two of self-pity or I begin to complain too much. I am grateful for all your help.