Happiness
I Learned Happiness Is A Mindful Choice I Could Make Now
On an ugly January day in New York no less
New York in January can be ugly. The white snow has turned to brown slush. It has frozen and thawed and makes crossing the streets treacherous. It is not a day know to bring smiles to people’s faces. It is not the mental image that one would associate with happiness.
Yet it was just such a day that taught me about how happiness was a choice I wanted to make every day. Even more, than that happiness was I choice I needed to make every day for my own well-being.
3 Secrets to Use Your Voice to Create Your Happiness Now
Know your voice. Use your voice.
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I was headed to a 4 pm appointment. I was trudging through the sludge hoping the filthy icy water would not leak into my boots. My appointment was with Irving. He was one of my vendors but he was also the most negative individual I had ever encountered on the planet.
I was not in the mood to deal with him. It was late in the day and I was tired and cold. Irving buzzed me in. I was
- stomping the slush off of my boots
- dropping my umbrella, briefcase, and handbag
- struggling to take off my hat and gloves
- valiantly trying to get out of my coat and take my muffler off
When Irving comes bounding out of his office and says “Are you always so happy?” (and he wasn’t being facetious)
In the few seconds, it took me to pick my jaw up off of the ground, something popped out of my mouth without any conscious thought on my part…I said
“Irving I don’t like to be around people who are always on a downer (like you -but I didn’t say that…only thought it) and the only person whose company I can never escape is my own”.
WOW!
That struck me like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t wait to finish our appointment and start my long walk back to my hotel.
I had to ponder and process what I had said.
As I started back to the hotel the first person I thought about was Ida P. Right out of college I was a retail manager. There were five women who reported to me. One was in her 30’s and the other four were in their 60’s. Four of the Five were chronic, whiny complainers.
Then there was Ida. She was one of the ones in her 60’s. She was happy, positive, upbeat, and always looking for what needed to be done with nary a complaint. I came to learn that over the previous twenty years she had a serious health situation about every three years. She had had a heart attack, cancer, back surgery and I don’t remember what else.
She wore a steel back brace every day of her life. She had more reason to complain than any of the others and yet never did. She chose to be happy.
When I was promoted to another location I took Ida’s example with me and never gave it too much thought until that fateful day in New York.
At the moment standing in front of Irving, I learned that not only is happiness a choice, but it is an essential choice for me to make to be comfortable with myself.
The only person whose company I truly cannot escape is my own and I want it to be enjoyable.
Yes, there are days where I have a conversation with myself that goes something like this:
“If you don’t want to hang out with someone in this crappy mood then you had better choose to do something about it.”
Then I take a deep breath and figure out what I need to do about it.
What about you? Have you made the same choice to be happy? If not, doing so now will change your life. Your life will become a happier, more joy-filled life.
Bonus Tip
I begin every day with an inspirational quote. It sets the mood for a great day. I have collected over 3000 of them. I have gathered a few of my favorites on happiness and they are here waiting for you.