Are you happy?

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Are you happy?

A simple question. But, what's your reaction?

For me, I can answer with conviction: "Yes, I am happy."

A few days ago, a friend said something like this to me: "I envy you. You're such a happy woman. You're easily impressed with small gestures."

To be honest, I'm quite surprised by her remarks. It never occurs to me that I'm "shining" with radiance and happiness. This must be a good thing then.

Well, if you remember, Bob Hope said, "When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things - not the great occasions - that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness."

I believe my source of happiness is love. Love does wonders. It brings smile to my face, makes me laugh, boosts my confidence. Indeed, the simplest things - the way he smiles, the way he holds my hands, the way he says certain words - they spell nothing else, but happiness.

Love makes the world a better place because I know he'll always be there for me and I'll always be there for him too. In essence, love makes us better and happier persons. Quoting Victor Hugo, "The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather in spite of ourselves."

Also, quoting Karen Salmansohn from her best-selling book, How To Be Happy, Dammit, "Happiness is not about what happens to you - but how you respond/interpret what happens - that's why it's called happiness and not happen-ness - though it could be called hope-ness because you must always leave room for hope that all happens for good cause."

It's true that sometimes we're happy due to some happy happenings. But, I'm getting more and more accustomed to being happy with happy and positive thoughts. I'm learning to take things easy and avoid being high-strung and demanding. In fact, Nathaniel Hawthorne said, "Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."

To the friend, you can be happy too. Everyone has their capacity of happiness. The difference is, how much do you allow yourself to be happy? Think about it.Finally, quoting Jim Rohn, "Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present."

May this year ends with much happiness and the new year starts with even more happiness!

Cheers!

Follow-up post!

Cheers again!