9 years ago
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Happiness
Is it a choice? Is it a consequence? Is it a gift? Is it perspective? I have to admit, I’ve always basically thought it was a choice. And, I’ve read in the scriptures that it is also a consequence of righteous living. But is it that simple? Over my MANY years (hee hee) I’ve come to think that maybe it’s not. I’ve met so many good people who struggle with being happy. . .and it’s never seemed to be that hard for me. . .which leads me to believe now that maybe it’s a gift too. We are told that we can and should be happy in this life, and obviously NOT only when life is easy, because it never is! So why is it so hard for so many people? I don’t know the answer. I’m curious to hear what you all think. All I do know is that I’ll continue to consider my happiness as one of my gifts or blessings, and thank Heavenly Father for it every day!
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Never really thought about this before. Recently at work I've had a lot of people tell me that they are impressed by how happy I am all the time. I haven't always been happy. I attribute my current happiness to the blessings that the Lord has given me because of my obedience. However, it's also a choice that I am able to recognize the blessings that I have and not continue to ponder on the blessings that I don't have. Make sense? So, I think you are on to something. I think we choose to recognize the gifts that our Heavenly Father has given us for our obedience.
ReplyDeleteI have always seen you as one of the happiest people I know!!!! I strongly believe it is a choice to be happy. Every morning we wake up and have the choice to start the day smiling and grateful for everything we have, or we can start the day grumpy because our kids didn't sleep as long as we wanted them too. (Trust me, I'm guilty of that last one.) But I'm just now starting to realize, after 28 years on this earth, how much better life is when you start the day smiling and don't sweat the small stuff. I believe happiness is inheritly (sp?) in all of us. But the choices we make, whether good or bad, have an affect on our attitudes. Obviously righteous choices help us feel good inside and joyful. Thanks for bringing up the subject of happiness. That's what is so great about blogging, the insights we receive from others!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou know me. I too have always been happy. Sometimes to the point that it annoys people and I have even been told so. Weird I know.
ReplyDeleteMy patriarchal blessing tells me its a gift. But I think like all gifts we can use them or give them back. We have a choice in the matter, some of us were just blessed with it being a little (or a lot)easier.
Sarah, I've also had people tell me I seem fake or they're annoyed by how happy I am all the time. . .funny! I'll take it if that's their only complaint about me. :)
ReplyDeleteI think happiness is all of those things (a choice, a gift, and a consequence). And personally, I think that your happiness is why so many people like being around you and having you as a friend. I know it was one of the things that drew me to you (that and the Flight program saying that we had to hang out all of the time). :)
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this ever since you posted it. Happiness is something I've thought a lot about because I'm in the camp that finds it hard to feel happy. Because I'm pretty friendly and nice, I don't think most people suspect it, but I have struggled with depression since childhood. I guess that's why I like your idea that it is a gift as well as other things. I was blessed with some other gifts, but it is not easy for me to feel happy. I have to work at it all the time. The older I get, the more okay with that I am.
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