​I choose to be happy.

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This quote is from a very good friend of mine.  She is someone who has every right to be unhappy, angry, bitter, resentful, and other negative emotions, owing to many events in her earlier life.  Yet now she is extremely positive.  I once asked her how she can be so positive after what she has been through.  She had a very simple answer and a very powerful, and empowering, message for us all.  She said,

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“When I wake up each morning, I choose to be happy”.

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What a wonderful attitude to have and what an enriching and positive way to start each day.

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I know that there are many in the world today whose lives are so extreme and unbearable that this attitude is something that they cannot even consider.  For those living is famine, war, and other life-threatening situations it is not a potential reality for them.  However, for many of us, even though we may think that things are tough, or that things are not going our way, if we could start each day with such a positive attitude then our lives would be so much better.

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I know that everyone has negativity in their lives.  Everyone has to face challenging circumstances at times, and for some more than others.  All such experiences have a negative impact on us physically, mentally, and spiritually.  If we allow such experiences to take over and define our lives then they can affect our physical health, our mental health, and leave us spiritually bereft.  This is a very human and real impact.  What can we do to counteract this effect?

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Some negative experiences will occur, and we cannot stop them from occurring.  However, what we can do is to create what I call a “reserve of positive energy”.  By this I mean that we are proactive, as often as we can, and that we choose positive emotions, thoughts, behaviours, and actions.  Positive emotions, thoughts, behaviours, and actions also affect us but in a positive manner.  The more that we are proactive in this way and experience positive emotions, thoughts, behaviours, and actions, then the greater our “reserve of positive energy”.  This has two major impacts.  Firstly, it is positive for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.  Secondly, when negative circumstances arise, and they will, then our “reserve of positive energy” will help to offset the negative impact.  The “reserve” is like an account that we can draw down when needed.

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So, the more often that we choose to be happy, choose to be grateful*, choose peace, choose love, choose respect, or choose other positive emotions then the greater our “reserve of positive energy” will be.  We can make such choices at any time, in any place, and in any circumstance.  We will still have to cope with negative events and experiences, but we will be better equipped to face whatever life throws at us.  However, we must be proactive.  We must take positive actions.  We must make positive choices.  We have the power to do so.  We are empowered.  Choose to do so on a regular basis.  Start now!

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I choose to be happy.

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Footnote:

There may be circumstances when we need professional assistance and support.  If necessary, do not hesitate to seek such support.  This is another example of where we can be proactive and make a positive choice.  The support of others can often help us to build our “reserve of positive energy” as referenced above.

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* When I am simply grateful, life is simply great.

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