Happiness is a Choice
Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain… To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices – today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it. ~ Kevyn Aucoin
So I moved to the desert, I have taken a new job and the job I’m happy to say is working out really well. I rented a great house on five acres with beautiful sunsets. The house has also been incredibly difficult, there have been a huge string of things that have gone wrong, over the last couple of months I’ve also had a break-in and theft at my storage space, my credit card has been cloned and I’ve had to fight battles with a number of different major corporations over incorrect bills and other frustrations.
People keep asking, did you flip out, who did you go off on? The answer is no one. I’m also not bummed out, not falling into old pitfalls like getting depressed or angry, I’m not stressed out. My attitude, beyond small moments of frustration, has been fairly zen, I’ve remained in a good mood. Sure I’ve eaten a few unhealthy meals on frustrating days but a couple of cokes and a milkshake are not the worst things I could do. I’ve remained happy and the question is why?
I point to two things, first was my time on the Appalachian Trail, which I miss terribly every day. Being on the trail taught me a lot of things, but most of all it taught me patience, to take my time and not let things get me upset as easily. Today, in the midst of what was a difficult day, I ran into two Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hikers at lunch. It was awesome, we had a hiker in common who I met on the AT, it was absolutely wonderful to be called hiker trash again.
The second reason I’m doing well, is something I’ve learned as a result of writing this blog and my research on happiness. Happiness is absolutely a choice, things happen to us, some are good, some are not so good. We can’t always control what happens to us, life throws things at us we can’t see coming. What we can control however is how we react to those things. I know that sounds quaint, one of those lovely sayings that we think is nice but not real. I’m telling you it is, it just takes a moment at the beginning of the day to express some gratitude for what you have in your life. You need to take a minute to give yourself some perspective on whatever problem you’re facing. I’ve worked hard in my life, I have a good job, great friends, I’ve spent the last 18 months on an awesome adventure, I get to write to you good folks. I have a good life, so even though today might be a total shit day, tomorrow likely won’t be and a lot of days before haven’t been, so there’s no need to become unhappy. I can and I do choose to have happy days my friends and with a little effort, so can you. ~ Rev Kane
Some Other Posts You Might Enjoy!
Fear is Killing Your Happiness
Our Best Happiness Posts for 2015
Revisiting Some of Our Best Posts & Pictures
Readers Favorite Appalachian Trail Posts
The Ministry of Happiness 
I am a big fan of your writings. I always relate to your posts. Thank You for being so blunt and forward with your thoughts. You are amazing. Happiness is a Choice. I teach that and get so much flack for it. Everyone thinks that it is too hard. I say it is easy to make the choice but it takes work like anything else.
Thank you for your kind words Daniel. I really think you have a great attitude, keep teaching and have a happy day. – Rev Kane
I’m in the depths of grief for a dear friend who died in a tragic accident. Your post was timely and uplifting. Just one breath in, one breath out.
Sorry for your loss Shawna, keep breathing it’s hard and takes time, be patient with that. – Rev Kane
I always enjoy your posts!!
Thank you I love getting comments have a happy day – Rev Kane
This is absolutely true. I have been dealing with a lot of pain and suffering and every day I wake up I make the choice in regards as to how I am going to react to how I am feeling. Even though I know my depression is a choice it’s one I make every day. There are days I try hard to find a happy place and others I just let myself sulk. This post is everything I believe to be true. Congrats on continuing to find your happy place everyday. It takes a lot of work and it sounds like you are doing a great job. Te Amo.
Thank you for your comment and it’s not easy. It took me a long time to get past my own issues with depression. I wish you the best of look moving forward and staying positive. Reach out whenever you need to I’m happy to try and help any way I can. – Rev Kane
You as well. I find that it’s so hard don’t you think to reach out when you know you have to? Then you become entrenched in the cycle of “no one loves me” I have to remind myself that it’s okay to pick up the phone or send a message out. So the same goes ❤ Syn
Yes we can be our own worst enemy sometimes. Glad to have connected with you. – Rev Kane
Same Goes. ❤
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