My Happiness – My Choice

I’m a fan of an inspirational writer named Ralph Marston. He wrote a piece called, “Free to be happy” and it hit me so hard.  He was basically saying how we allow others to define what happiness should look like to us - when the choice is ours.

God just blessed me to celebrate another birthday and I am ever so grateful.  However, as the years are coming and going, my requirement for happiness is changing.  While I appreciate the gifts that I received, my heartfelt desire was to spend time with the people that I cherish to my core.  Time – something I can’t get back once it’s spent.   I wanted that quality time to exchange hugs and kisses, smiles and laughter and to say “I love you.”  

When I was younger, happiness to me was stuff.  It was earning a degree and climbing the corporate ladder; it was about chasing a six figure salary and buying a bigger home.  My happiness was based upon what society considered success to look like.  All of those things are great and wonderful accomplishments to anyone who has attained them and to those still reaching for them, but I am at a point in my life where I’m defining what happiness really means to me.  Happiness to me is giving back to those who may be in need; it’s about connecting to people who love me for me and not what I can do for them; it’s about being who I am and not changing to please or meet the expectations of others; and some days happiness is just being content to just be. 

It’s my happiness, so it’s my choice.

Ralph Marston’s article can be found at ….http://greatday.com/motivate/050423.html