I used to believe difficulties in life were something which only happened occasionally, once in a while, and only to a few people. I think I was very little and very naive when I thought this was the case. Now I know different.
When life begins to get to you it is not unusual to feel tired, cranky, unhappy and just plain exhausted. I am seeing my daughter putting forth her very best effort to finish a major project in for one of her college classes and still take care of the twins by herself. I look at her and the struggles she is going through and it is no wonder she is tired and sometimes weepy. I can’t imagine the stress she is under right now.
I see others who are going through the sadness of death, the loneliness of divorce or single-hood, the families who are worried about their children who are fighting for our country and I realize how difficult life is for everyone. I can not help but wonder , if everyone has such difficulties in life, why do some have so much joy and cheerfulness? If life is so difficult for so many, why do we hear so much laughter? It comes down to choices.
I don’t think I do this consciously, but I do have a tendency to believe how you think about things does make a difference in how you react to things. Some people have developed an attitude which states everything bad happens to me and if the day is good it is just because the bad things for the day have not happened yet. Nothing you say or do seems to make them happy. Life is nothing but something to be fought and is always difficult and there is no joy in the world.
I also know the opposite way of thinking is true. I love people who have never met a stranger, who have made a point to be happy despite the challenges life has brought to them. I think I fit into this category. I know bad things may happen during the day. I also know there are plenty of good things out there which can happen everyday. There is nothing more beautiful than the giggle of my grandchildren. They are so amazing and wonderful! They are so young and so innocent they don’t understand how to be anything but happy. This is my goal. Choose happiness. Choose laughter. Choose to be a person who lights up the room. It could be a whole lot more fun!
