Choices for a Happy Life

Most people think that our life is a continuous hard struggle full of difficulties with few happy moments. They are trying to lean on these few happy moments to find the power to continue their fight until the next happy moment. Photos, videos, and souvenirs are valuable tools in "storing" these flashes.

Looking at the world around me, I can see miracles everywhere and every moment. I can see the love of the Creator within and around me. In the perfume and color of the flowers, in the singing of the birds, in the smell of the soil after the rain, in the colors of the sky at sunrise and sunset, in the taste of fresh-baked bread, in the blessing of cool water, in the warmth of a hug, the magic of a kiss, the smile of a child... The list really never ends!

I cannot, therefore, accept that the Creator of this world would prepare us for a life that would be a continuous hard struggle with few moments of happiness in a world full of miracles. How ironic God, he or she would be?!

I think that there is an explanation. I can understand that selfishness has led us to the illusion that we are separated from our Creator and the wondrous world. This illusion leads us to fear because we feel alone and unprotected. And fear makes us living our lives having our eyes closed in this world of miracles. We are opening them for some brief moments and then dark again. These few moments that we open our eyes and our soul to the world, we are filled with beauty, and we feel happier.

I refuse to live such a life. I decide to stand against selfishness and shout that I am one with my Creator. I choose to live with my eyes open in this Paradise that prepared for me. I refuse to live only moments of happiness when my destiny is to be happy every day.

I know life is not a fight to win, but an incredible adventure to enjoy. I fill with love; I thank God for the miracles he has prepared for me today, and I add another happy day to this beautiful journey!

Choice 2: Ι Deny Stupidity

Let's say that for some important reason, for the continuation of my life, I have to nail a small spike on a wall. For some reason, this is vital to me, and so I have decided that I will do it at any cost. So I support the nail on the wall and start to hit it hard with my fist. It does not need to be someone a prophet to predict what will happen. Obviously, the nail will not get in its place, and my hand will get injured. Now I'll describe two possible scenarios:

Scenario A: I am very nervous about what is happening, and I begin to blame everything around me for my bad luck. My egoism does not allow me to think for a moment that something is wrong. It shouts to me that the cause of my difficulties is the wall, is the nail, is the reason that makes necessary the spike be nailed, is the world that is evil and unfair and is the Universe that is so ironically happy with my problem. However, I must continue. We said it was vital to nail that damned spike. So with more force, I hit the nail. My hand is bleeding, and the pain grows. I curse gods and demons, and with fury, I begin to nail the spike by my head. Eventually unhappy, frustrated, and seriously injured my head, I fall unconscious and sink into the dark feelings of abandoning, loneliness, and failure.

Scenario B: I understand that my choice is wrong. I do not leave the voices of negativity and selfishness that have started their insidious work to influence me. I calm and think that the Universe has never left me helpless. So, since it's so important to nail this spike at this moment, it will have taken care of supplying me the right types of equipment, as long as I look for it.

I start my quest, feeling thankful for the new adventure. With enough effort and methodical search I find what I need. A hammer is placing in one of the drawers of the room. The next minute the nail is put in place, and I am happy and full to enjoy the result.

Unfortunately, no matter how foolish it seems, most of the times in our lives we follow the A scenario. Think about it! And this leads us to misery and suffering. But there is no one else to blame for it; just ourselves. Let us remember it the next time we have to do something important in our lives. Let us look for the things that God's love has prepared for us. We are not alone and helpless. Let us not forget this, as convincing as our selfishness trying to be.

Choice 3: I Smile to My Mirror

How many times have you felt disappointed or unhappy because you were alone during difficult times? In moments of failure, when you made a mistake and knew it was entirely your fault, you couldn't find someone to lend a hand or, even better, to embrace you and tell you that it doesn't matter.

You wanted to hear what you already know: that we all make mistakes—sometimes big ones—especially when we're striving for something significant. We will, at some point, betray those we love and compromise our beliefs. We will fall many times, but what truly matters is not how many times we fall, but how many times we get back up.

During those tough times, you needed someone there to help you rise, to brush off the dust of shame, to look you in the eyes and reassure you that they're not ashamed of you because they've experienced similar struggles. You needed someone to show you understanding and kindness—not pity, but compassion—to help you forgive yourself and continue on your journey to eventual triumph.

We all need that support. We needed it in the past, and we will need it many times in the future. Some people need it right now as you read this. Don't forget that. Never.

Try to approach others with understanding, compassion, and kind words whenever you can. I encourage you to assist not only those close to you but also strangers who may cross your path in difficult moments. This will help you realize that you have siblings beyond your immediate family. The support you offer to others will ultimately strengthen you, as that is how it works. When I give, I feel fulfilled; I don't feel diminished, regardless of what the material world might suggest.

We all need understanding and love from the world around us. The world also desires our love and connection. Never forget this, not even for a moment. Remember that you are part of the world, too. So, in times of need, if no one else is available, know that YOU are there for yourself.

Go to a mirror, look into your own eyes, and remind yourself of everything we've discussed. Show yourself that you are not ashamed of who you are. Show yourself that you can forgive and love yourself. Extend a hand to lift yourself up and continue your journey. If nothing else, you have made a friend and a brother in yourself.