Norman Vincent Peale, the author of inspirational books, describes an experience connected with a television show in one of his books. A very ordinary man had also participated in that program. He did not have much education and, naturally, did not hold a high-profile job. Yet he had one special quality: he was a happy person. He was someone whose face was filled with cheerfulness, who could tell innocent jokes that never hurt anyone. His conversation and his responses captured the entire attention of the TV show.
As the show was about to end, the director asked him a question:
“Why are you able to be so happy? What is the secret of this radiance of yours?”
“Oh, there is no great secret in that,” the old man replied. “It is as simple as the nose on your face. When I wake up in the morning, I can decide only two things: either today I will be happy, or I will be unhappy. Which one do you think I choose? I decide to be happy. That alone is the secret of my happiness,” the old man said.
It is not merely because circumstances are favorable or because everything happens as we desire that people in this world are happy. Rather, they are happy because they decide to be so. Norman Vincent Peale continues to write as follows: If you wish, you too can be happy. It is the easiest thing in the world to attain. Choose happiness. If you keep telling everyone that nothing is going right and that nothing is satisfactory, there is no doubt that you will remain unhappy. Therefore, tell yourself: everything is moving forward well. Life is good. I choose happiness.
At this moment, as we step into the second month of the new year, this should be one of the good decisions we make: today I will be happy. This is a decision. If we look at circumstances and people, we may not always be able to be happy. After all, human beings are social creatures. We often interact with people who are very different from us. Because of these differences, sometimes they may even spoil our happiness. They may not speak, behave or respond in the way we desire. This applies within the family as well. Often, a husband may not behave as his wife wishes or a wife as her husband wishes; children may not act as parents expect, nor parents as children expect. But for that reason, we should not destroy our own happiness.
Happiness is a decision. It is when we implement that decision that we become happy people. Imagine that before us lie withered flowers and fresh flowers; likewise, spoiled fruits and good fruits. Which will we choose? Good fruits and good flowers. The same applies to despair and happiness. Despair is like withered flowers and spoiled fruits. We never use withered flowers. Despair and sorrow are things that harm the body and the mind. Happiness, on the other hand, benefits our health and protects life from wounds and injuries.
Therefore, decide: today I will be happy. Every day when we wake up, let us say to ourselves: even if others treat me badly, accuse me without reason, misunderstand me or even if nothing happens the way I wish, I will still choose to be happy today. Make this a habit. Look into the mirror and repeat this every day. In the midst of negative experiences, this will help us remain happy. If we decide to be happy, happiness will surely come.
Life is very short. In that brief span, why unnecessary sadness, grief and despair? Therefore, let us be happy today. May this happiness remain firmly rooted in our lives.
With happiness…
Regards
Prof Antoney P Joseph
