IF/THEN...HAP-PEE-NESS

Years ago, somewhere back in the 1980's, during my ten years residing in the silicon valley, I was a computer programmer for a company called Tymnet/Tymshare, which was later bought out by McDonnell Douglas.  The reason for this bit of back story comes from yet another observation, in my large vessel of observations filled by my ever-curious people-watching fascinations, that people do not actually realize that happiness is a choice.

The reason this programming analogy came to mind was that we used to use something called IF/THEN statements when writing a program, i.e., IF (such and such does something), THEN (something else will happen).  I discovered recently just how often these IF/THEN statements come up in peoples' lives.  For example, I was having a conversation with a customer who came into work the other day and during our conversation he said, "If the money comes in then I'm gonna be a happy man."  Later that day a female friend of mine made the statement that, "If he does the right thing, then it will make our lives together much happier."  I found it interesting that these people, hell MOST people, think that happiness depends on something happening to create it.  This is SO not true.

Once you make up your mind that you want to live your life with happiness as your main theme, because that is the first thing that needs to happen for anything that follows to work effectively, then you also have to realize you deserve it...that it is very much okay for you to be happy.  There is no guilt about it, there is no shame, no selfishness attached to it and most of all it doesn't matter what anyone else on the planet thinks about you being happy. Circumstances are just that, the leftovers from choices we have made.  Once we start making better and happier choices, you will then achieve a happy and positive way of life, which I can tell you from vast experience beats the hell out of living any other way.  

We are a species who gets to make choices and happiness is one of those choices so why not choose it?  The next time you find yourself beginning a statement with words like, "When (this) happens," or "If (something) would occur," followed by an obvious THEN statement, stop and ask yourself why it is imperative that something happen before you can allow yourself (yes, I said allow) to be happy.  Wake up in the morning, be grateful for all the good things you have in your life, and don't project worry into your day or regret.  This will eliminate anxiety and depression both.  Just live moment to moment and BE happy.  It's okay!!! The bills will take care of themselves and if you start living a happier life, your physical health will follow that example and most, if not all ailments will be eliminated.

Thank you for taking the time to stop and visit and please, if you like what you've read, leave a comment. If you have a blog or website of your own I would love to visit it. After your comment, make sure to post your link and I will stop by and leave a comment as well. Happy blogging.