I feel the need the reiterate that because many of us still feel we don't deserve happiness.
Sure, you may be thinking... "Of course I want to be happy.... who doesn't?"
So why aren't you doing all you can to live the life you have always wanted? Why are you allowing other people to hold you back? Why are events and situations affecting your mood? Perhaps it's your own self-limiting beliefs that are impeding your development? Maybe you are thinking "No I couldn't possibly ... " when you should be thinking "Yes I can!"
We cannot be truly happy if we are living a life of doubt and restriction. We cannot be truly happy if we are relying on others to give us joy.
You have a right to be happy. Everyone does. That is why we should also not preoccupy ourselves with cross-examining the behavious of others. They have a right to live their lives according to their own values and yardsticks. Besides, when we are busy judging other people, we neglect our own happiness.
But what if misfortune strikes? What if you lose your job? What if that perfect partner of ten years decides to leave? What if your new boss is a nightmare to work with?
"What if"'s will breed rapidly and populate your entire life if you allow them to. In life, there will always be challenges. There will be many things you have no influence over. People will say what they want to say and do what they want to do. You can only choose what to consider and what to ignore. You can only decide how you want to respond.
If you think you are having a real problem, figure out exactly what it is. Not the end of the world you think it will escalate to. In life, moments of disappointment and pain are unavoidable. The important thing is not to let these moments overshadow the happy and successful ones. Or hinder future moments of joy and contentment.
You can choose to rise each time you fall, or you can choose to crawl on the rest of the way.
You are capable of all the wonderful things in life: love, knowledge, joy and creativity. Have faith that no matter how big your problems may seem, you will find a way to overcome them. Exercise your right to be happy today.
Eugine Loh, 938Live, MediaCorp Pte Ltd
