Don’t kid yourself. Happiness is not free. Happiness requires effort.
I know, you’ve heard me say it before, “choose to be happy”. It bears repeating.
I heard it from other people first and after years of living my position is that the saying has merit. You must choose to be happy. At least that’s where it starts. For example…..
One of the simpler things in life I enjoy is birds. Even that enjoyment comes at a cost. A cost I choose to pay. I have a couple of feeders around my yard that are sold out all day every day. Makes me happy. However, I still have to fill the feeders, buy more seed when I run out, drive to the store to pick it up, pay for it, store it. There is a cost involved on multiple levels. However, the return to me personally is worth the investment of my time , effort and resources. Same concept goes for basically anything that brings you happiness. It is going to cost you something. Believe it.
So, ask yourself this question. Are you unhappy in some area of your life because you are simply not willing or even afraid to pay the cost to be happy? What about……
- Getting in shape – (requires some sacrifice and discipline)
- Advancing your career – (might require more education, effort, time)
- Becoming a better ball player – (fail, put in the work, get dirty, learn how to process pain, bleed on occasions)
- Better relationship with your spouse – (less selfishness, maybe more foot rubs men)
- Better relationship with your children – (Requires your time and attention, notice I did not say money)
- What about having a more organized less stressful home – (Time to part with some “stuff”, de-clutter, use it or lose it)
- or, Or, OR…..
- Cleaning up your mind by kicking out the negative to make room for more positive – (86 the news, violent movies, negative relationships and add God, a morning devotional and more positive people)
Don’t kid yourself that the world is going to make you happy because you are here. The world doesn’t care. Work at making yourself better and the space around you better. Do that daily and you might just find yourself as happy as a dog with a cheeseburger. That’s a 9 out of 10 on the happy scale.
Regarding those birds……… They help me keep something in perspective. That I am worth much and that my Father in heaven will provide for me. It helps me not to worry when I see them eating from the feeder and drinking from the bird bath I provide. It reminds me of Mathew 6:26….. “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they”?
Indeed I am worth much more. Infinitely more. And so are you!
Get in the boat. Do your part. Choose Happy.
1:6 / Nose to Toes / #16