“I choose joy.” I’ve been telling myself that. That it’s not a question of circumstances that determines our state of mind, but rather the attitude we choose to put on each day, each hour, each moment.
And the facts seem to support this. Check out the photos of the orphans in Zimbabwe. They have far less than I do. They’ve lost loved ones. They have no guarantees of their next meal. Yet most of them are smiling.
Compare to some of the rich and famous I know who have suicidal tendencies.
So the evidence is that having the best of everything doesn’t bring you happiness.
On to the next step in the journey to happiness. Can I find happiness simply by focusing on the things that make me happy? Things I already have? Things like hot chocolate and baby giggles. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Surely I am surrounded by things that make me happy if I just look closely.
So I focus on these things. I make a mental note of them throughout the day. And at the end of the day, I truly am grateful. I’ve had fleeting moments of happiness throughout the day.
But it isn’t enough. I keep searching for more. Something with more meaning.
Could it be that my focus is on the wrong thing? That rather than pursuing happiness, I need to pursue the Creator of happiness?
So let’s take the focus off the pursuit of happiness. Take the focus off me, whether I’m happy or not. Focus instead on making others happy. On listening to the Creator’s voice. Responding to it. Doing His will, even if I don’t see immediate happiness in sight.
At the end of the game, will I have chosen the path to happiness? It’s worth checking out…
---------------
Submitted as part of the MamaBlogga Group Writing Project.
Posts
.jpg)
4 comments:
amen...beautifully put.
i was also struck by the smiling faces of those children in the photos.
finding contentment is difficult when you're focusing on the wrong thing. finding contentment and happiness in the Lord will fulfill you and bring much more joy than trying to find them in temporary things.
I find that I like the anticipation of things. I am happier anticipating and dreaming than if the thing I am anticipating comes to past. Happiness and contentment are a choice.
An Arkies Musings
So well said! Beautiful.
I believe that choosing to be a mother (and a father, of course) IS choosing what the Lord would have us do. I'm thoroughly convinced that all of God's commandments are designed to help us be happy in this life and the next, and His plan for our life (which includes raising children up to Him!) will yield ultimate happiness.
(But it's still a little hard to remember that in hour number two of constant screaming from one and whining from the other, and the little moments, I believe, are gifts from Him to remind me that it's worthwhile and that I can go on.)
Post a Comment