I Choose Happiness

Welcome to the first Monday of 2011. I hope you are looking forward to it. I know that I am. I hope you decide to be happy in 2011.

As I reflected on 2010 I determined that my greatest success was the relationships that I developed. I can count three or four people that were extremely influential as a friend and coach. We have similar attitudes, interests and a strong faith. They have encouraged me and I have tried to reciprocate. One thing we have in common, we are happy people and we laugh a lot.

I am naturally a happy, optimistic person. I would like to say that everyone wants to be happy but I would be lying. I have met a lot of people who chronically complain and nothing anyone can say will make them feel better. I apologize but I do not have a lot of patience with these people. I believe you can control your own state of mind.

Many people believe happiness will come when they reach a certain status in life. I believe it is a state of mind that starts from the inside out. We will all be disappointed occasionally and some days will be better that others. However, I believe it is a choice.

I hope you decide to take steps to build positive relationships and find ways to be a happier person. There are many benefits to being happy including better health and the feel-good factor, you will also draw people to you. The January edition of Success Magazine says that happier people will outsell their pessimistic counterparts by 56%.

One more thing to consider, make an effort to lift other people up and you will be amazed at how exhilarated you will feel.

Dan Miller says rain or shine, “I carry my sunshine around with me”. I agree with Dan.

Happy New Year!

Pierce

P.S. The January Issue of Success was dedicated to being happy. It is my favorite magazine and you should check it out. It has Ron Howard on the cover.