Happiness is a decision

Me at entrance of the Norton Museum of Art on February 9th, 2019.

Photo by Matthew Wasala.

I truly believe that. I think everyday we are faced with choices and one of them is how we are going to feel. In the drop-down menu our brain presents there’s anger, hate, love, happiness, fear. There are options.

And I think happiness is the best one of them. Choosing to be happy reflects in everything we do. The other choices we make. The way we treat people. The way we love people.

But the thing is, more than feeling happy we must learn to be happy. There will be adverse circumtances. We might lose our job, someone will break our hearts, we may lose someone, we will lose someone. There will be sad, painful things we need to confront. And there will be no reason to feel happy. So you choose to be happy, against all odds. To find the strength to carry-on. Your decision.

I’ve felt real pain. I’ve lost. I’ve been rejected. Ignored. Hurt. I’ve felt alone. I’ve been alone. This is why I can tell you happiness is a decision.

I haven’t solved all of my problems. And the day that I do, for sure new ones will arise. That is life. I cannot change it. What I can control is whether I am happy or not.

And through all the pain, all the tears, the days when I wanted it all to be over and felt like there was absolutely nothing left to do. Through it all, I learned I could be happy. I learned it was up to me to enjoy the stage I am in. And that my main purpose in life is to be happy, for it is the best way to keep going, to reach my goals and help others. And in my case, to honor the one who has created me.

I am strong. I am capable. I am happy because I decide to be.

What do you decide?

Love,

Vero

Originally published on April 4, 2019