Choose to be Happy

Happiness isn’t so easily achieved. There seems to be some people who are always happy but I assure you- there are times they aren’t. The difference is how long they allow themselves to be unhappy. I remember hearing a quote once – although I couldn’t locate it to cite the source –  it’s ok to be in a space of unhappiness – just don’t build a condo there.

There are so many factors that can contribute to an individual becoming unhappy and no one is immune from them. We will all experience at one time in our lives the loss of a loved one, the ending of a love relationship, a career failure, a personal illness, or experiencing or witnessing events that do not align with our values. Any of these circumstances can lead to unhappiness but it’s how long we allow ourselves to feel that discontent.

Don’t get me wrong – I believe it’s important to feel our emotions. If you do not acknowledge your feelings – you are setting yourself up for serious consequences later on. But there has to be a balance. Allow yourself to feel the unhappiness then move on. Focus on something positive – something you are grateful for.

At the very beginning – there were 2 choices of ice cream – either vanilla or chocolate. It was one or the other. It’s the same with being unhappy. You have 2 choices – choose to dwell in unhappiness or choose to acknowledge the feeling and move on. For every second that you are unhappy – you are missing a second of happiness.

Hopefully our days will be filled with many more moments of happiness than unhappiness.

That’s what we do for our donors when we align their dreams with the needs of an organization and then keep reporting to them what they made possible. It’s called the joy of giving for a reason.  Help your donors choose happiness.