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Motivation Mondays: BEING HAPPY

02/04/2018
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“The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.” Henry Ward Beecher

Motivation Mondays: BEING HAPPY

Motivation Mondays: BEING HAPPY


Want to be happy? Be grateful | David Steindl-Rast

You can have flaws, be anxious, and ever angry, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world. Only you can stop it from going bust. Many appreciate you, admire you and love you.
Remember that to be happy is not to have a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, relationships without disappointments.
To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord. It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures. It is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity. Being happy is not a fatality of destiny, but an achievement for those who can travel within themselves. Being Happy: Author Anon/Attributed to Pope Francis

What does Being Happy mean to you? Recently, one of my best friends sent me a speech purported to be from Pope Francis. It was beautifully written and touched on all the key elements we need to remember about why being happy is a CHOICE we get to make daily. I was thrilled, yet the researcher in me wanted to make sure it came from the beloved Pope before I could use it. When I couldn’t find it on the Vatican website, I turned to Google, and it became crystal clear that it wasn’t from the Pope; even the poet/author, Fernando Pessoa, some believed had the original attribution, fell short. In moments like this, serendipity kicks in… Why did this piece suddenly show up? It was sent to me because I was meant to read it, consider its place in my life, and then share it with others. I have done so throughout this post. (see above and below)  Give. Give. Give. Why wait for your life to be perfect before you enjoy sunrise and sunset? Our lives are perfectly flawed, and that is what keeps us motivated to get up and start our day with hope, joy, and promise. Like the water lily, we can be radiant in the midst of dirty pool water… life must go on.

My personal journey to happiness has often included unpleasant events, health issues, and other challenges. Yet every single harsh event has had its silver lining: a reminder to look around and find someone in greater need of help. Sometimes I could discern the grace in the grind, and at other times it took friends, family, and the occasional stranger to point me toward the good ahead. So, I wake up thankful for the gift of life, shelter, family, friendship, and the grace that shows up in many other ways. It is easy to look around us, compare our lives to others, and bemoan our lack of XYZ. But what we tend to forget is that everyone has a destiny carved out for them, and each of us faces our own battles, both small and large.

Even people we see as perennially happy have their demons they battle quietly. For some, it could be a feeling of insecurity and a need to be loved. For others, it could even be a fear of being found out to be a “fraud.” Until we walk in another person’s boots, we can’t claim to know what makes them tick… The goal then is to focus on our own lives, make peace with our regrets and fears, and choose to find even one person to help and one thing every day to be happy and thankful for.
READ: Happiness Haiku: What Does Happiness Mean To You?
Happiness: A-to-Z Ways & Words to Express It …

 

“We don’t develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.” Barbara De Angelis

Motivation Mondays: BEING HAPPY

Motivation Mondays: BEING HAPPY


Pharrell Williams – Happy (Video)

To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become your destiny’s author. It is to cross deserts, yet to be able to find an oasis in the depths of our soul. It is to thank God for every morning, for the miracle of life.
Being happy is not being afraid of your own feelings. It’s to be able to talk about you. It is having the courage to hear a “no”. It is confidence in the face of criticism, even when unjustified. It is to kiss your children, pamper your parents, to live poetic moments with friends, even when they hurt us. To be happy is to let live the creature that lives in each of us, free, joyful and simple.
It is to have maturity to be able to say, “I made mistakes.” It is to have the courage to say, “I am sorry.” It is to have the sensitivity to say, “I need you.” It is to have the ability to say, “I love you.” Being Happy: Author Anon/Attributed to Pope Francis

How do you fuel your Happiness Quotient? Unequivocally, being present in the life we have, being grateful, and helping others add to our happiness quotient daily. Instead of feeling sidelined by our desires, worries, and wishes, we can focus on the grace of the present moment and make choices that help us move forward rather than remain stagnant. Being present helps us get in touch with our inner voice and feelings, and connect with others honestly. When we are present in our interactions with others, we not only see them but also hear them and connect with the emotion behind the words they share. I think we don’t spend enough time being present because it takes not only practice but also intention and a level of trust that our inner guide will lift us and open a pathway to clarity. That level of clarity fuels our happiness quotient because we feel deeply satisfied.

Think about it. How often do we say, “I will stay open to the possibilities in my life today”? Staying open to the possibilities doesn’t mean abandoning our daily schedule. It means becoming acutely aware of our exchanges, effort, and our thought patterns. Instead of judging everyone and everything that crosses our path, try honoring them. Send a kind thought, a healing word, a friendly smile, a helping hand, and watch the outcome without expectation of how/what/when. Give it a chance and the results might surprise you.

For instance, yesterday, as I drove to work-related appointments, I had two separate experiences of other drivers making rather sudden and dangerous moves in front of my car. One driver pulled out from a side street without stopping at the red sign. Both times I was grateful that an accident was averted and that I was present, attentive, and not distracted or impatient. In both incidents, I felt a burst of gratitude and joy that all turned out well. The same approach applies to other areas of our lives. When we turn our attention to a chore, a conversation, or an assignment, we perform better when we are present, and our whole being feels the happy charge that comes from doing our best work. Even if the outcome doesn’t bring a certain result, we know we gave it our best shot, and being happy/grateful resides in that effort.
READ: Motivation Mondays: HAPPINESS
Happiness: The Candle Never Decreases By Being Shared…
Musings: Waiting To Be Happy…?

The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for MAR 2018/APR 2018 are:

MARCH

03/04 – Women’s History Month, National Nutrition Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, American Red Cross Month, 08 International Women’s Day, World Kidney Day, 04 Academy Awards
03/11 – 11 Daylight Saving Time, 14 Pi Day, 15 World Consumer Rights Day, 17 St Patrick’s Day
03/18 – 19 St Joseph, 20 International Day of Happiness, 21 World poetry Day, 22 World Water day, 24 Earth Hour
03/25 – Palm Sunday, 29 Holy Thursday, 30 Good Friday, 31 Passover

APRIL

04/01   –   01, April Fool’s Day, 02, Autism Awareness, 06, International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, 07,  World Health Day
04/08   –   10, National Siblings Day, 10, Equal Pay Day,  12, Holocaust Remembrance Day
04/15  –   17 Tax Day
04/22  –    22, Earth Day,  23, World Book Day, 27, Arbor Day
01/29  –   29, International Jazz Day

 

Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2018?

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– Join the Daily Post Post-a-day or Post-a-week Challenge.
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— Join the BlogHer Writing Lab

“My greatest beauty secret is being happy with myself. I don’t use special creams or treatments – I’ll use a little bit of everything. It’s a mistake to think you are what you put on yourself. I believe that a lot of how you look is to do with how you feel about yourself and your life. Happiness is the greatest beauty secret.” Tina Turner

Motivation Mondays: BEING HAPPY

Motivation Mondays: BEING HAPPY

Motivation Mondays: BEING HAPPY

Motivation Mondays: BEING HAPPY


How to Be Happy Every Day: It Will Change the World | Jacqueline Way | TEDxStanleyPark

 

May your life become a garden of opportunities for happiness … that in spring may it be a lover of joy … in winter a lover of wisdom. And when you make a mistake, start all over again. For only then will you be in love with life.
You will find that to be happy is not to have a perfect life. But use the tears to irrigate tolerance. Use your losses to train patience. Use your mistakes to sculpt serenity. Use pain to plaster pleasure. Use obstacles to open windows of intelligence.
Never give up. Never give up on people who love you. Never give up on happiness, for life is an incredible show. Being Happy: Author Anon/Attributed to Pope Francis

What adds to your sense of Being Happy? Gratitude for completed tasks: this includes problem-solving, service to others, hearing from loved ones, keeping my word, listening to music I love… and even taking a walk on the aqueduct adds to my sense of fulfillment/happiness. Discovering new paths and learning anew are also satisfying. I made my way back to YouTube, after a lull, and found a bunch of new artists and music to enjoy. Music and dance have always been a great source of happiness and joy for me, and because they cut across all age groups, I find tremendous delight in hearing music from a wide range of artists, dancing along, and learning new moves.  So what life brings into my space each day adds to my sense of happiness. What about you?

READ: Reflections: Acceptance & Our Happiness Quotient…
Inspiration: The Great Secret…

 

 

Have a happy, peaceful, and productive week ahead!

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Positive Motivation Tip: Being happy is a choice… choose wisely.

Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge, or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a Motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment, and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page: MotivationOnMondays Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to complement the page. It serves as another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.

Badge: I created a fun badge usingPicMonkey’ss free photo-editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’ integrated tool on your blog, or use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM

 

Related Posts

 

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos: Being Happy, Happiness, via Pixabay AND/OR via Wikipedia…

 

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

from → Global Events, Grace & Gratitude, Love Life, Motivation Mondays, Positive Advice, Posts & Photos 2018
140 Comments leave one →
  1. Noelle Lynne permalink
    02/04/2018 7:40 pm

    Love this! Being happy is sooo important and I don’t think enough people are happy in today’s modern society (I wish EVERYONE ❤️ could read this post)!

    Also thanks for the reminder for national siblings day (going to add to my calendar)!

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      03/04/2018 4:06 pm

      We all experience things that make us unhappy and that is life. My post is a reminder to celebrate our wins; whatever they might be … from a glass of water to drink to a chat with a loved one.

      Reply
  2. nadaliebardo permalink
    02/04/2018 8:06 pm

    I find it surprising and incredible that some people remain so happy and yet they’ve been dealt a really bad deck of cards. When certain life events destroy some people, others don’t let it get to them as easily and find happiness through the dark times.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      03/04/2018 4:01 pm

      They make a choice to rise up with their pain and find slivers of light to help them move forward. They don’t sweep aside the bad deck/challenges, they find a way through them.

      Reply
  3. Patricia G. permalink
    02/04/2018 8:48 pm

    I love this post! If you have read my blog, you know that I have struggled with depression for a very long time. However, in the past few years, I am finally learning to be truly happy! Like you said, I think gratitude and the attitude that everything we get is a gift, rather than something “owed” to us is a key ingredient to happiness and true joy!

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      03/04/2018 3:57 pm

      yes I have read your blog and appreciate your feedback.

      Reply
  4. adriana permalink
    02/04/2018 9:16 pm

    So amazing. The one thing that we should always accept is the fact that we are in control of our own happiness

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      03/04/2018 3:56 pm

      it is a choice and that choice is active every day. As we go through the day and experience things, we have a moment … like taking a deep breath … to choose our response

      Reply
  5. Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated permalink
    03/04/2018 12:26 am

    There really are so many different ways to be happy. It totally depends on your personal definition. I love the idea of being happier by being more grateful. By simply looking around you and seeing the incredible world in which you live, you can instantly be happier!

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      03/04/2018 3:53 pm

      Gratitude is a powerful emotion and it helps us enjoy even the smallest wins.

      Reply
  6. emman damian permalink
    03/04/2018 1:03 am

    For me, being happy means having enough to eat and have enough to time to rest. I think those two are impirtant.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      03/04/2018 3:51 pm

      yes… the basics are an important start

      Reply
  7. lucicoo permalink
    03/04/2018 1:26 am

    I get a sense of happiness when I get to see a dog, especially my sister’s dog, their happiness rubs off on me. Listening to my favorite music brings me to my happy place and that is what I do when I am in a bad place is to listen to my favorite music.

    Reply
  8. acraftymix permalink
    03/04/2018 1:49 am

    Beautifully written Elizabeth but that one line; “It is to cross deserts, yet to be able to find an oasis in the depths of our soul” just touched me so deeply. How incredibly profound. Often times, for me, it’s the smallest things in life that make me happy. Like when the kids come home from school and I can smell sunshine in their hair or watching rain drops turn to diamonds after a heavy thunderstorm. Those are the things that make my soul smile. I hope you had a lovely Easter and Passover with your loved ones.

    Reply
  9. kumamonjeng permalink
    03/04/2018 2:06 am

    Each time I came into this website, I learn something and keep me motivated. It is especially great start for the first work day in the week. I love how there is a short video clips and also a happy songs included in this article. This article make me happy and learn how to embrace every moment and every opportunities.

    Reply
  10. Sonal permalink
    03/04/2018 4:37 am

    It was great reading your post. Happiness means different to different people. For me happiness varies from day to day. Definitely, happiness leads to peaceful sleep and content. Happiness to me is seeing my kids become humble and compassionate..happiness to me is also Peace all around.

    Reply
  11. GiGi Eats Celebrities permalink
    03/04/2018 6:36 am

    I’m honestly so proud to admit that I am a VERY HAPPY person. I have nothing to be sad about. If I ever do get “sad” I smack myself with reality and instantly I feel better because really my life and support system are phenomenal and I couldn’t ask for better!

    Reply
  12. Czjai Reyes-Ocampo permalink
    03/04/2018 6:41 am

    I find happiness even in the most mundane things, which is actually a good thing. Happiness, after all, is a choice. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Kristy B permalink
    03/04/2018 7:10 am

    It is so true that being happy is a choice. We have to stop comparing our lives and circumstances with those of other people and be thankful for the good things in our life.

    Reply
  14. Annie & Will (@Venture1105) permalink
    03/04/2018 7:17 am

    I really enjoyed the video you shared. Being happy really is tied to how grateful you are.

    Reply
  15. justbusylovinglife permalink
    03/04/2018 8:09 am

    This post is such a reminder of how I used to be. I was the classic “when this happens, then…” But when that happens there is always something else to take the place. The only time you can be happy is right now and always and it’s a choice!!

    Reply
  16. theworldthroughascholz permalink
    03/04/2018 8:11 am

    I have learned that happiness is so much more. It seems the more I try to be happy the harder it is, as i try to find that happiness in people or things. And yet, once I start to be greatful for where I am, I have come to be a happier person. You have so much information on this post! I enjoyed listening and reading the differnt ones.

    Reply
  17. Melissa Blevins permalink
    03/04/2018 9:27 am

    I love this post so much! I was always a people pleaser until the past couple of years. I finally started realizing that the people I spend time with matter so much. And I found what truly makes ME happy and focus on spending more time doing that! I’m a stay at home mom, blogger, and personal finance geek, so I realized for my own sanity, I NEED beach time to recharge. I happen to live in Illinois, so we are so far from any good beaches. Saving money and planning for beach trips (with cash) is crucial for my well-being!

    Reply
  18. Emily Fata permalink
    03/04/2018 9:54 am

    That David Steindl-Rast video has it so bang on! Being grateful for what we have is such a key factor of being happy! That feeling of gratitude allows us to truly appreciate what he have and enables happiness to sink in, as a result. 🙂

    Reply
  19. jnuna permalink
    03/04/2018 10:35 am

    Happiness and finding your happy space is something that I have been overlooking a lot lately. Thank you for grounding me through this post. It reminded me of the importance of my mental health.

    Reply
  20. Lyosha Varezhkina permalink
    03/04/2018 11:15 am

    I think being happy is more of way to live not the end result. It is more important to work your way of being happy than to actually achieve your goal. Being happy enough is just not possible!

    Reply
  21. Ronnie Epsi permalink
    03/04/2018 11:16 am

    My happiness quotient was quite low, but I’ve been working on feeling happier and satisfied. I feel very blessed with my lot in life and I need to appreciate more often and be happy about my blessings and all the good in my life.

    Reply
  22. Ithfifi Williams / IthinityBeauty permalink
    03/04/2018 11:22 am

    I LOVE this post, I’ve been feeling the happiest I have in a long time recently after many years of much unhappiness I know how to welcome happiness – be it big or small things -to be greatful for all the good in my life. I’ve had depression in the past and I know that sometimes happiness is something you need to work on – or at least in my case – I know the habits and traits that make me unhappy so I am always working the opposite way to maintain good mental health. There are many things you can have in life but happiness is one of the most important and its important to share it back without hesitation <3

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      03/04/2018 4:15 pm

      I’m so glad you have found a way back to yourself. It takes effort and not always easy.

      Reply
  23. Mary B permalink
    03/04/2018 12:32 pm

    It’s important to be happy. I know when I’m not happy, others around me suffer – almost as much or more than I do. So when I’m having a difficult day,, I try extra hard to find a happy place in my mind.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      03/04/2018 4:14 pm

      You are not alone. It takes a conscious effort to be aware that the stuff is ours. True.

      Reply
  24. tanviidotcom permalink
    03/04/2018 12:57 pm

    What a wonderful topic for this week’s post. Sometimes for people who suffer from mental illnesses happiness is not always a choice but for everyone else I believe staying open minded and not taking life too seriously can help stay happier and content.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      03/04/2018 4:13 pm

      Sometimes … yes. Mental illness expresses itself in so many ways that it would be hard to decide how one person responds over another.

      Reply
  25. Corina permalink
    03/04/2018 1:02 pm

    Absolutely…you’re so right! I must admit, I sometimes forget to live in the moment, to see the good in everything, somehow this is a skill that comes naturally in children and you need to work on keeping it as you grow older. But that’s the only right way to go about things, that’s for sure!

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      03/04/2018 4:08 pm

      Right? Kids have it and as they grow older, it is forgotten

      Reply
  26. Rachel permalink
    03/04/2018 1:12 pm

    I love all the pictures and the sentiment in what you say. Powerful and emotive yet beautiful.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      03/04/2018 4:07 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  27. Geraline Batarra permalink
    03/04/2018 4:58 pm

    Such a great post. Being happy is really important to every person in this world. There’s a lot of things to be happy.

    Reply
  28. Norah Salazar permalink
    03/04/2018 6:45 pm

    I enjoyed reading about happiness, quotes and such. Being happy is a simple yet very important aspect of everyday life. I love that Pharell song too 🙂

    Reply
  29. Gluten-Free Spirited (@GFSpirit) permalink
    03/04/2018 10:45 pm

    I’ve been learning lately how happiness comes from within. Of course, outside things can bring happiness like family, friends, pets, sic, or a gift, or good book. I agree that being present also really helps.

    Reply
  30. kanishka permalink
    03/04/2018 9:24 pm

    I think for me happiness would be to be able to help people without any restricting feelings and doing what I love everyday! I am very grateful for where I am now and you can say I am happy! Love this motivation monday post <3

    Reply
  31. thewhatnextmom permalink
    03/04/2018 9:39 pm

    I love the idea that happiness is a choice. So often, it feels like life just happens to us, but really it is the way we react that makes all the difference. Beautiful photo collage, by the way!

    Reply
  32. Gladys Parker permalink
    04/04/2018 3:26 am

    Every evening a take out time to thank God for all the things that I am grateful. Recently I have started a gratitude journal so that I can look back and remember the simple and not so simple things for which I am grateful. Gratefulness leads to moments of happiness. With positivity this happiness can grow.

    Reply
  33. jill conyers permalink
    04/04/2018 3:57 am

    I’ve watched a lot of Ted Talks on happiness but I’ve never seen How To Be Happy Everyday. Thanks!

    Reply
  34. Megan permalink
    04/04/2018 7:11 am

    I love the motivation to stay open here to all possibilities and to happiness. I think staying open leads to unexpected, wonderful things 🙂

    Reply
  35. KYLIE ABREU permalink
    04/04/2018 5:01 am

    Love this. Such a motivating and informative post. Happiness in life is everything and is what everybody strives for.

    Reply
  36. Alison Rost permalink
    04/04/2018 6:04 am

    It’s not easy but when we choose to see the good things in life, it’s definitely going to allow us to be happier. I love this post, it’s a good reminder for us all that we always have the option to be happy.

    Reply
  37. hillcitybride permalink
    04/04/2018 6:31 am

    Happiness IS a choice. We need to choose it and be intentional about it or the little things will get us down for sure!

    Reply
  38. Preet@thevelvetlife permalink
    04/04/2018 1:44 pm

    What a beautiful topic and post for this week. Happiness can be internal or something that you just want to show others. Internal happiness for me is so important to keep me sane sometimes. The point you mentioned, gratitude for completed tasks is so important for me. The quotes you have mentioned are so beautiful and so near to the life and happiness which sometimes we take for granted.

    Reply
  39. Ayana Christine Nell permalink
    04/04/2018 10:59 am

    I need to work to be more like you in traffic lol! I need to be grateful that hazardous and often stupid drivers didn’t actually hit me and happy that I was aware, rather than annoyed and angry at them! It’s a tough transition though! Being truly happy can be tricky and come and go but it’s so amazing to get there!

    Reply
  40. Stephanie JNote permalink
    04/04/2018 11:06 am

    Wow! I love this line< "Why wait for your life to be perfect before you enjoy sunrise and sunset?" So true. Happiness is something that we can make up our minds to decide to truly experience the art of it. Nobody has to create it for us. IT is there for the taking.

    Reply
  41. mikaesque permalink
    04/04/2018 11:41 am

    Really needed to read this today.Such an uplifting post.As long as we look properly we can never run out off reasons to be happy.

    Reply
  42. blogthirtyminusone permalink
    04/04/2018 12:26 pm

    I love how you incorporate music videos into your post. There’s just something about that song that actually makes me happy.
    Nailil

    Reply
  43. Adriana Madonna permalink
    04/04/2018 2:05 pm

    Being happy in life is the most important thing you should get. I love seeing people happy, it kind of swaps to me and I am happy with them. Great Post 🙂

    Reply
  44. Taryn White permalink
    04/04/2018 3:11 pm

    Wow! Powerful post. I love the quotes and the photos, too. “Become your destiny’s author”. So deep! This really brightened my day. Thank you.

    Reply
  45. TheGracefulMist permalink
    04/04/2018 4:22 pm

    To me, being happy is a choice. We often have struggles. No matter how rich or poor a person is, he or she will often meet obstacles.

    Being happy is a personal choice one must make to simple be happy. We can`t get happiness from others. We can only feel happy by being with them but at the end, it`s up to us how we want to feel. We can`t be happy by being in a relationship. We`ll only suck the life out of that person. Happiness is ultimately a personal choice

    ❀ Grace ❀

    Reply
  46. Ashley permalink
    04/04/2018 4:33 pm

    Isn’t it so insane how people forget to be happy and live in the moment? We’re so busy with social media to intake the people and things around us.

    Reply
  47. Aarika permalink
    04/04/2018 7:59 pm

    This post is filled with so much inspiration and thought-provoking ideas. I love it! I absolutely agree that being happy IS a choice, one that we often forget is so empowering. Keep on being fabulous!

    Reply
  48. Msddah permalink
    04/04/2018 5:47 pm

    You got me jamming to the song happy. I have been wanting to create a playlist that will help me power through and put me in a great mood and your post inspired it. THANK YOU!

    Reply
  49. All She Things permalink
    04/04/2018 5:48 pm

    Over the past few years, I have started believing in “whatever happens, happens for the best.” That’s what keeps me going.

    Reply
  50. Sarah permalink
    04/04/2018 5:52 pm

    What a great post. I agree happiness can come from our point of view. Finding the good in everything around us is important.

    Reply
  51. Priscilla Yeo permalink
    04/04/2018 6:01 pm

    I believe like what you say, sometimes it is not a coincidence to see something we needed to see. I have been battling a lot of unhappiness of late and even my mother wished that I would be happy rather than depressed most of the time. It’s not easy for me to constantly remind myself the happiness is a choice, because there are days where I cannot find happiness at all in the whole day.

    Reply
  52. Pippa permalink
    04/04/2018 6:21 pm

    I love this post and I think everyone needs to read it. I feel like a lot of people lose sight of their happiness, especially in today’s society. Finding one’s happiness is such an important part of self-care that needs to be prioritized. <3

    Reply
  53. Holly @ Granola on the Side permalink
    04/04/2018 7:00 pm

    I think being happy is definitely something to strive for. It isn’t something everyone tries to be.

    Reply
  54. Sadhna Shanker permalink
    04/04/2018 10:36 pm

    Being happy is a journey not a destination. loved the way the topic has been written about.

    Reply
  55. Jen ~ The Tipsy Mama permalink
    04/04/2018 7:43 pm

    I have been on my own “happiness” journey for about a year and 4 months now. I have learned so much about myself internally and others – most importantly that happiness is an inside job! My attitude and amount of gratitude are directly related to the way my life situations turn out each day…basically I can make them worse, or the best they can be. And definitely giving and helping others is a HUGE factor in my own personal happiness. This is a great post! Thanks so much for writing it!

    Reply
  56. AnnMarie John permalink
    04/04/2018 9:18 pm

    For me, we face challenges every single day and if we choose to be happy instead of dwelling on those challenges, our life will definitely improve. It’s all about our outlook. Happiness will always beachoice that we should be willing to make.

    Reply
  57. Nati permalink
    05/04/2018 3:03 am

    As usual, there are so many inspiring reflections and quotes in your articles Elizabeth. Happiness used to be a simple thing to me. But right now, it became complicated. I don’t even need the basics to be happy, I usually have a natural disposition to optimism, even when I was economically broken, and had to skip a meal everyday, I wasn’t unhappy. I like to think of me as a happy person! But I married an unhappy man. He thought I’d bring happiness to his life, I thought so too, but truth is he managed to drag me into his unhappiness… so, right now, we are seing some difficult times. In my conclusion, I’d say, happiness is, most of all, an attitude. The attitude of joy, hope and positive thoughts. But this attitude it’s hard for some people, some will never achieve, and those who have it can also see it undermined. The key is developing and cherishing that attitude. For me, there is no happiness outside ourselves, everything happens inside.

    Reply
  58. Angela Ricardo Bethea permalink
    05/04/2018 7:24 am

    Great post! Being happy is so important and it keeps us looking young. and life only comes around once. So do what makes you happy.

    Reply
  59. Leigh Anne permalink
    05/04/2018 7:07 am

    I believe that you have to wake up each day and choose what you want. Are you going to be happy or bitter? Bitterness gets you no where. it does not change your circumstances. So even though I have had my fair share of bad things happen in my life, I always choose to be happy! I have to live in the moment for I am not promised tomorrow!

    Reply
  60. pinkrimage (@pinkrimage) permalink
    05/04/2018 10:00 am

    Being happy is sooo good for us…i find it extremely fascinating how the human mind finds one tiny glimmer of a happy hope and suppresses all negative feelings..this can be made a natural habit with a little practice..

    Reply
  61. Emily Leary permalink
    05/04/2018 11:36 am

    I think the idea of really being aware of the moment you’re in, and attentive to the opportunities it gives you, is a really powerful message.

    Reply
  62. Amanda permalink
    05/04/2018 12:26 pm

    Happiness. What a simple concept, but sometimes so hard to achieve. There are so many ways and yet sometimes we are focused on the negative. Thank you for this!

    Reply
  63. Faith Still (Home Ec @ Home) permalink
    05/04/2018 9:44 pm

    Great post! Love that you show the happy video. Love that song. Have you seen Weird Al’s tacky parody video? It’s hilarious.

    Reply
  64. NicoleShillings permalink
    06/04/2018 7:41 am

    I really believe that happiness is a choice that we make, as is being unhappy. Everyday I wake up and make a decision – is today going to be a good day or a bad day? That’s how I determine my happiness everyday.

    Reply
  65. Kyle permalink
    06/04/2018 10:01 am

    Fantastic article & I agree 100% that being happy all the time is the best way & the only way. Many thanks

    Reply
  66. trinaellen permalink
    06/04/2018 11:39 am

    I love this, I have been going through rough patches and I need to remind myself that my happiness is no one elses decision.

    Reply
  67. Fiona Crystal permalink
    06/04/2018 5:16 pm

    This is such an important and great post! As someone with depression it gets so difficult to be happy but I try to keep myself motivated. People often do not realize how important just a little happiness is. We should count our blessings

    Reply
  68. Daisy permalink
    06/04/2018 10:22 pm

    There are so many lovely ways to be happy and find our bliss in life 🙂 I absolutely adore your post this week!!

    Reply
  69. teeforever permalink
    07/04/2018 9:41 am

    Being happy to me means have peace of mind. Yes, my life might be crazy, hectic, and sometimes dysfunctional, but if I have mental peace and I’m not consumed by anything going on around me (good or bad) I find that I’m able to be content and happy!

    Great pics!

    Reply
  70. Evelyn Lo Foreman permalink
    07/04/2018 7:50 pm

    Such great reminders that happiness is a choice. It is empowering! Each one of us needs to choose. Despite the mud, even the lotus choose to grow toward the sun ☀️ 💕 Xo, Evelyn, PathofPresence 🦋

    Reply
  71. Jenn permalink
    08/04/2018 2:36 am

    Inspiring, I know that happiness is one of the most important thing in the world. Plus the aesthetic of the pictures makes it appealing that happiness comes within you or just the simplest things in life.

    Reply
  72. Jackie David permalink
    08/04/2018 4:35 am

    Being happy. Happiness can be found within you. With all the things you do. Enjoy life and be positive.

    Reply
  73. AlwaysCarryOn.com permalink
    08/04/2018 6:51 am

    Reading all the comments above, it’s clear that happiness means so many different things to different people from different backgrounds and different walks of life. Which is really interesting to find out! x

    Reply
  74. Josselyn Radillo permalink
    08/04/2018 3:43 pm

    Happiness is a decision! We really need to start focusing more in enjoy everything that surround us. Every little detail has it owns sparks of happiness but sometimes as you said we forget how to enjoy them

    Reply
  75. Aseky Bonnaire permalink
    08/04/2018 5:18 pm

    I am absolutely in love with all these pictures! Music is also something that makes me happy!

    Reply
  76. angie permalink
    08/04/2018 8:14 pm

    what wonderful pictures. I can not wait until the warmer weather gets here so that we can enjoy the sun as it comes up and goes down

    Reply
  77. Vian permalink
    09/04/2018 3:12 am

    True, happiness is the key to victorious life. I love what you write above which is attributed to Pope Francis, “To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become your destiny’s author. It is to cross deserts, yet to be able to find an oasis in the depths of our soul. It is to thank God for every morning, for the miracle of life.” It’s true, Stop feeling a victim!

    Reply
  78. Joanna permalink
    09/04/2018 6:17 am

    I do actually wonder what being truly happy actually means. Are we getting too deep into our daily problems that we forgot what happiness feels like? Do we analyze too much if we deserve to be happy? I wish we could clear our minds as simple as clapping our hands and feel the pure joy of the simple things in life, that are the ones which should make us smile.

    Reply
  79. Elaine permalink
    09/04/2018 12:32 pm

    Happiness is something we should definitely strive for in spite of challenges that come our way… It’s called life!! But definitely a good positive mindset is a great way to start. Thanks for this post

    Reply
  80. twinspirational permalink
    09/04/2018 9:52 pm

    Being happy is so important. We just lost a love one, and it makes us realize the value of family and friendship and being happy, of course.

    Reply
  81. Khushboo Motihar (@kbmotihar) permalink
    09/04/2018 7:22 pm

    I had a tough Monday so it feels great to read your post. Happiness for me is to be surrounded by supportive friends and family and to keep working towards my life goals 🙂

    Reply
  82. Marielle Altenor permalink
    10/04/2018 12:17 am

    Spending time with my family has always been a way for me to rise from a funk. They make me so happy and no matter what is going on I know a few moments of snuggling with them will refresh my mood.

    Reply
  83. Nilakshi permalink
    10/04/2018 1:34 am

    This is what I needed right now. The post was really motivating. We should surely live in the moment

    Reply
  84. Esme Sy permalink
    11/04/2018 12:21 am

    There are a lot of ways to achieve happiness. Sometimes, it’s not followed by a smile or a celebration for success but it’s something passive that we shouldn’t take for granted, as odd as that sounds.

    Reply
  85. topknotchonline permalink
    11/04/2018 5:17 am

    What an encouraging post. Thank you! This line really spoke to me: I think we don’t spend enough time being present because it not only takes practice, it requires intention and a level of trust that our inner guide will lift us up and open a pathway to clarity.”- being present is something I’m really working on!

    Reply
  86. Lyosha Varezhkina permalink
    11/04/2018 11:10 am

    For me being happy is feeling light and feeling time. Like you have stopped for a moment a realized how happy you are. when you appreciate the moment with a big smile inside of you

    Reply
  87. Elainie permalink
    12/04/2018 3:37 am

    Happiness is something we should definitely strive for in spite of challenges that come our way… It’s called life! But definitely a good positive mindset is a great way to start.

    Reply
  88. Stylish Paradox permalink
    12/04/2018 6:02 pm

    Great post, yet again. The quest for happiness is never ending. How often do we find someone who is happy all the time. Love your posts, always. Great pictures too!

    Reply
  89. Tiffany Yong permalink
    19/04/2018 6:44 am

    I strongly believe in the saying of “to Be happy, be grateful” as I practise this saying actively as well. It really helps and this makes me see the world in a better light!

    Reply
  90. Ebony permalink
    09/07/2026 3:42 pm

    This was a beautiful reminder that happiness is often found in the small, everyday moments. I appreciate your emphasis on gratitude, kindness, and choosing to focus on what truly matters.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      10/07/2026 4:06 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was fun putting it together

      Reply
  91. gentlebim permalink
    10/07/2026 6:45 am

    Great post! I read somewhere that being happy is a choice, and I really believe that. You can choose to embrace good wherever you can.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      12/07/2026 8:05 pm

      It is a choice and we are reminded in so many ways every day to choose it.

      Reply
  92. Amber permalink
    10/07/2026 11:08 am

    Being happy is a must for me. It can be difficult some days, but I always search for things I am grateful for when I am feeling down.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      12/07/2026 8:04 pm

      It matters to me too. There is enough on this planet to upset us.

      Reply

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