Does it take another person or a special event or special gift to make you happy? Can anyone or anything really make you happy?
Tis the season to be jolly! Christmas time is generally a jolly time because it's associated with the exchanging of gifts, the Christmas carols, the kissing under the mistletoe, and a drink or two around the punch bowl. But is that what it takes to make you jolly? A special holiday, or an unexpected gift such as a box of candy or a bouquet of flowers? Perhaps what makes you happy is when everything is going your way? What is the real key to personal happiness?
Have you heard someone say, "I just can't make him happy?" Or "You don't make me happy any more." Does it take another person or a special event or special gift to make you happy? Can anyone or anything really make you happy?
Happiness is a choice. We make that choice every day. We either choose to be happy or not. Others may add to our happiness, but we are the one's who must choose to be happy. If we say we just aren't happy because we "got out of bed on the wrong side", I say, switch sides. You must make the choice to be happy. Happiness then comes from within you, not from others.
The real key to happiness is having the Holy Spirit which produces the fruit of joy in your life! Having God in your life brings an inner joy which spawns happiness in you and aids you in bringing happiness to others. In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul lists joy as one of the products of having God in your life. With God in your life, you have that capability to live joyfully and you may add to others' joy if you just make the choice to be happy.
So, don't go through another day waiting for someone to "make you happy"; or waiting for a season to make you jolly, choose to be happy yourself and in so doing you will help bring joy in the lives of others too.
For GN Magazine, I'm Gary Antion.
