It doesn’t take long to realize there is a lot of negativity in this world. This is part of the reason we don’t watch the news. It is easy to get caught up in all the stress around us and miss the good things.

Joy and happiness are great attributes, but the word that comes before them is the key- CHOOSE. These things are a choice.

I am going to sound like a therapist for a second, but joy is a choice. You cannot control how people around you are acting or external influences outside of your control, BUT you can control the way you respond to these things.

Have you ever met someone who seems like they cannot catch a break? Some people get thrown one thing after another- sickness, car repair, bad news, more bad news, and on and on.

Some people become these negative events and those around them can empathize because any one of those events are a lot, but all of them together are just too much. But others somehow rise above those events and are still finding joy in these times.

It is inspiring when you meet someone like this. I have come across a few people in my life who seem so resilient in the face of constant negativity. I asked one such person about their positive attitude recently and said, “How do you do it? How do you stay so positive right now?”

They responded that it is a CHOICE.

Some days are harder than others and some days they have to really search to find positive, but there is ALWAYS something to be positive about.

One such friend said they have a gratitude journal that they add to as they think of positive things to be thankful for and if the negative ever starts to become too much they just get that journal out and focus on those positive reminders that even in the negative life events there is always joy and it is up to you to choose which things you will focus your energy on.

I hope you have come across people like this- they are so inspiring and we can learn so much from them. If you have not, then you can learn from my friends who I talk about in this post- be like them and choose joy today!

Look around you and take note of all the positive things in your life! Can’t think of anything? Are you reading this post- then you have breath in your lungs and eyesight and an electronic device! Start there and build from that!

Happiness and joy are choices.

So are negativity and bitterness.

Choose wisely, friends!

Until next time,