Happiness

Dearest Ones,

Happiness is a choice, which means that it is totally under our control. This means that when we wake up in the morning we can either say, "Today I choose to be happy," or "Today I choose to be grumpy." It is as simple as that. It helps us feel happy if we smile at someone. It not only makes us feel happier but also those around us. Happiness is catching.

Our smile is the most powerful weapon we possess. If you don't think someone likes you, smile at them - they may change their mind. A smile has the power to calm storms. Some people use their smile constantly - even while they're talking. Be the first to smile when you meet someone. Smile with your eyes and with your heart. It not only has the power to change others, it will change you. A smile can change a bad day into a good day. It's hard to grumble and smile at the same time. Discouragement, despair, frustration and fear wither away when people meet a smile - it is the gateway to happiness. It costs nothing, yet it is worth a million!

A professor at a University in California, who taught for 34 years, asked his students this question: How many times a day do you complain? Grunts and groans were heard. Your assignment is to go for the next twenty-four hours without complaining. As you may expect, the first reaction of the students was to complain about the assignment. They were to take paper and pen with them wherever they went and jot down what the complaint was. Next day when they came to class, each was asked to write down how many of the students in the class of 30 they thought had not complained. Most wrote they thought about 6 had not complained. The professor wrote 0 because he felt no one could get through a day without complaining and he was right. He had given seminars to 70,000 people and out of all these people, given the same assignment, only four went without a complaint. Do you think you are one of those four?

The purpose of the assignment was to show the incredible ingratitude for all the blessings we have. Whom do we complain about most? It is those we love the most. Complainers usually dislike themselves. They are not happy. In Phil. 2:14-16, St. Paul says: "Do all things without grumbling and complaining. Do nothing from selfishness, but in humility count others better than yourselves, so that you may shine as lights in the world."

Next, the teacher gave them another assignment. He asked them to make three columns on their papers. Over the first one write PEOPLE, on the second, THINGS and on the third, OTHER. Under PEOPLE they were to write the names of people, living or dead, that they appreciate having been in their lives. Under THINGS, they were to list material things they were grateful for and under OTHER they were to write such words as health, freedom, faith, opportunity, etc. In the next 24 hours he told them to read the lists at least four times: after lunch, before going to bed, waking up in the morning and before coming to class. The next day when the students arrived for class, they looked different: there were more smiles, their eyes were brighter and they looked happier, showing that when we focus on what is right, instead of what is wrong, it changes the way we feel about ourselves and life.

Thankfulness is the key to happiness. St. Paul, who had every right to complain after being imprisoned for 14 years only because he was trying to make Jesus known and loved, wrote these words, "We ought to thank God always." Paul had the unique ability to say: "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." -Phil 4- 11. Make a habit of thanking God always, even for the bad things because God can bring good out of bad. "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord." -Rom. 8.

Smile!

Sister Francelle