Be Happy!

A wonderful reminder from a wise friend. Check out her blog: http://onbeingmindful.wordpress.com/

Has anyone ever told you it was wrong to feel proud of yourself or to be too happy?

What is bad about feeling good? Nothing at all, if you ask me. But there are some people who will try to get you to believe that you shouldn't be too happy. They will tell you things like, "Pride goes before a fall," or "Who are you to feel so good when there is so much misery in the world," or even "If you show too much happiness, you are only tempting Fate to step in and slap you down." They will say they are only telling you these things for your own good, and they will try to make you feel guilty if things go too well for you.

Now, they are not lying to you. They really believe that what they are telling you is the truth. But I want you to know that this is "their" truth, not "the" truth. And, I want to suggest to you that it is a good idea to avoid people who try to rain on your parade.

You don't have to live in a perfect world or be a perfect person to be happy. The time to be happy is now, the place to be happy is here, and the reasons to be happy are all around you. If you take a moment to look for them, they will be there.

Happiness is a choice you make, not something that happens to you. When you choose to be happy, you become a light in the world and a source of comfort and inspiration. What is so good about feeling bad? Not a single thing I can think of. Why not choose happiness for yourself, and why not start today?!

Lou Tice