We can choose to define what makes us happy, how we spend our time and our response to any given situation. It doesn’t mean that external factors can’t have a negative impact on us and it doesn’t mean we ‘feel’ happy on the inside in every given moment.

I think it does mean we can practice being happy. To focus on it, accepting we might only hold it for a short time before we look to catch it again, or simply have to get on with something else less fun, but important.

Charles.R. Swindoll says it well:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than in the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It’s more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.” 

Here are some other related points:

• Should happiness be what we strive for?
• What are the ingredients for happiness?