COMMIT TO BE HAPPY

Today, I reaffirmed a personal commitment to be happy, in spite of what life hands me. I've decided that there are too many things over which I have no control, and the only thing I can do is to stop allowing them to make dents in my spirit.

Happiness is not something that others can take from me. It's something that I would have to throw away on my own.

There will be times when things don't turn out the way I want them to. My best friend at work may turn out to be a power-hungry corporate animal that backstabs me at every opportunity. The promotion I worked so hard for may go to someone else. My partner might decide to leave me, a day before we are due to go for a vacation together. I may lose most of my savings in a market crash.

These are things that can happen to the most loving, compassionate, careful and reasonable person. But after the initial pain and shock, the decision whether or not to let myself languish in despair is entirely up to me. I can allow misfortune to form the bulk of my life, or I can choose to leave what's past in the past, and move on.

One's friendly and caring behavior towards others should not be motivated by the thought of equally kind and affectionate responses. You understand yourself best, and regardless of how reasonably and responsibly you live your life, there will be people who won't see your point of view or share your motivations.

People have the right to act in any way they see fit. I don't have the right to judge whether their behavior is acceptable or not. They have to bear the responsibility for their own actions, and so do I. By feeling sorry for myself, I am simply continuing the work for them, long after they've dealt their blow. I've decided that, as far as possible, I will not allow these people to disturb my mind.

There are many things for which I can be grateful. There are yet unexplored experiences in which I can find enrichment and meaning. There are yet others who will like me for who I am, and in spite of who I am. If I spend my time being resentful and miserable, I'm denying myself the satisfaction of enjoying what this life has to offer.

There are enough unhappy people in this world who punish themselves and others constantly in a bid to find redress and compensation. But there is no satisfaction in retaliation and revenge. It's a waste of time and spirit.