People always ask me why I smile so much, and I tell them I have made a conscious decision to be happy as much as I can. I think everyone makes a choice on how to deal with their lives - "miserable" people choose to be miserable, while "happy" people choose to be happy. "When life gives you lemons, you can make lemonade or complain that they aren't limes." What do you think?
2006-07-17 16:34:58 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Yes, believe it or not, you CAN choose to be happy! I think it's more of an attitude than an emotional state.
We face many problems in life. Some things don't live up to our expectations. Hopes & dreams can be shattered.
But just making a decision to be happy, in spite of what life may throw at you, is a positive step. If you choose to be thankful for what's good in your life, you can actually get a better handle on what's not-so-good & improve your situation.
It does take some work, though. I went through a divorce & was in a depression for a long time until... You guessed it. I decided that I was going to be happy. It also helps to have a support system, which can simply be a circle of friends and/or family. But for me the real key has been a belief in God.
2006-07-17 17:43:59 · answer #1 · answered by WillyC 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Absolutely! It is to a great degree based on your state of mind. However there are circumstances that test your ability to deal with great adversity from time to time but those life lessons only make you wiser. That is if you learn from your mistakes and not repeat them over and over again as I have. Ever notice how you feel when you are around someone who is pleasant and smiling as opposed to someone who is miserable and hostile? There is the answer at least for me. It is what you choose to put out there. It isn't always easy but when you try it gets easier and easier. Good for you for your positive attitude in life. You will attract so many others like yourself.
2006-07-17 16:53:00 · answer #2 · answered by littleflower 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like your attitude babe. Way to go! With a positive outlook in life, one can go far. Really far. It's all in the mindset and attitude I feel. Poor people can be happy, and rich people can be miserable. It's just how you look at it. Instead of moaning and groaning about the 'pathetic' life you have, and the 'better' one you ought to have or deserve. People should learn to appreciate the finer details and count your blessings. For there are alot of stuff in life that we tend to take for granted. (Myself included) If you have to do something by hook or by crook, might as well do it happily as oppose to dragging your feet and develop a woe-is-me attitude. So in conclusion, choosing to be happy is merely a choice that one has to make. When faced with setbacks, pick yourself up and move on. I know, easier said than done. But it can be done if one wants it bad enough. So be happy people! =)
2006-07-17 16:48:50 · answer #3 · answered by The Late Night Scribbler. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always hoped some glass-half-full Pollyanna type would ask a question like this and quote that totally pathetic 'When life hands you lemons' platitude.
Think about this: When you make your precious lemonade from those lemons that life handed you, it's going to be pretty damn sour unless life also sees fit to hand you a little sugar to put in it.
Would you like a glass of MY lemonade? Go ahead, drink it all down, now aren't you glad the glass was half empty?
2006-07-17 16:46:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is what I believe.
About you:
* you were born with a brain that has above average happy neurotransmitters (seratonin, norepinephrine, dopamine) or highly receptive receptor sites.
* you were born with average happy neurotransmitters and have had a reasonably positive life experience
* you were born with below average happy neurotransmitters but had an exceptionally warm and supportive family since the day you were born and thus acquired exceptional coping skills
or
* you are refusing to feel all of your feelings
or
* some similar variation on the above
About Me:
* I grew up being sexually abused by my father on occasion
* My mother was somewhat neglectful in that she absolutely could not comprehend that such a thing could happen
* I decided to be happy and all that determination got me thru many good times, a rape, walking away from drugs and alcohol, more good times that I enjoyed enough for others not to know I was not so happy on the inside, grad school, a good job, advancement.... until the day I decided to look at my young life, you know, feel the feelings I refused to be feeling.
Trauma can literally change your brain chemistry. Lot's of scientific proof. Some ppl are born prone to depression. It runs in families. Some ppl are traumatized. Showing a happy face and pleasant disposition are choices for most, and at times not at all possible for others regardless of how strong their desire to do so is.
Please don't so glibly believe happiness is a state of mind that everyone can choose to have. My desire for happiness includes willingness to swallow pride to take meds, seek therapy, and an extreme desire to not just survive but to thrive -- and I count myself one of the lucky ones.
2006-07-17 17:37:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is a decision. I kind of made a rude remark to a girl at work one day (like why the hell are you so smiley all the time? I'm sure it was monday or something) and she said she has to be at work anyway so why not choose to make it pleasant and smile? I really felt like a jerk and think of that now when I'm having a crappy day. Oh and she's now a supervisor.
2006-07-17 16:41:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely=)
I'm generally a happy & easygoing person myself, people often misconstrue that as being simple-minded or just vapid.
The truth is I'm only that way around people I'm familiar & comfortable with but brood around people that I'm not familiar with.
When that happens (brooding), they wonder why I don't smile as much - so you just can't win! >Aargh<
Life is what you make of it after all and we're all given the power of choice to either make it a pleasant ride or a bumpy one... so do the right thing & stay happy. Peace & God Bless.
2006-07-17 17:44:50 · answer #7 · answered by ViRg() 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree with you. I am a miserable old sod, & am sure that I chose to be so. I am also jealous because you get to be happy all the time & I have to be the one who is miserable. Why do you have all of the luck of being the happy one & I just get crap?
2006-07-17 16:45:51 · answer #8 · answered by No More 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are a naturally upbeat, ebulliant person who seeks to fulfill that destiny.
But that doesn't mean everyone is like that or can achieve your results by copping that attitude! Some people are naturally melancholy and heavy-hearted.
Some others are naturally shallow and cold and manipulative.
Woe betide the melancholy soul or cold one that decides to be as happ as possible as much of the time as possible.
2006-07-17 17:06:31 · answer #9 · answered by urbancoyote 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct - choosing to be happy is a great thing. Being religious also contributes to my happiness.
Check out http://www.johnfourteen.com
Look at "Studies in the Bible"
many answers can be found there.
2006-07-17 16:41:19 · answer #10 · answered by Gladiator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋