life

Life is up to you. It's a choice. Happiness, or Misery. You choose.

I was thinking about this today. Thinking about the woman in Africa who lives in a hut, and smiles all day long because she has enough rice, and her children are alive. She's seen the 'rich white' people come in their jeeps....she's seen their clothing, she knows about money, and that she'll never have any. But does she dwell on it? No. She chooses happiness.

There are times when i get so down. I think about all the areas of my life that aren't great. That are actually really hard. Then I remember something from my creative journalling class. "What is one step you can take towards your dream?"

Now, my dream in that moment may just be to not be lonely. Not feel depressed. It's not rocket science (or brain science, like I tend to say) but in the moment, it's a dream that feels unreachable. My first response is to blame. I mean, if this could change...if I had enough, if my personality was different, if my husband did more....if I were thinner.....

Complaint- I'm lonely because my friends all suck
Truth- I never make an attempt to get together with them

Complaint- I feel unspiritual, unfed, dry.
Truth - I don't spend time with God in prayer.

Complaint - I'm too poor
Truth - I didn't need that thing I just bought (unwise spending)

Complaint - I hate my neighborhood
Truth -I'm missing the PURPOSE of being here



So the next day I did this:

1. I call my friends and make plans for play-dates, coffee, movies....and by-golly...at the end of the week I'm convinced my friends are amazing!
2. I take 10 minutes every nap time to pray, or worship. Or even just sit in silence in God's presence...and I see that I feel refreshed!
3. I make a gift for a friend's birthday, (free!) I go on a 'date' that is simply a walk thru the park (priceless!) I look at all I have, and think of those who don't have 1/2 as much
4. I do something kind for my neighbor, and see the hardness in her eyes melt away. And I see Jesus working in it all

So unless I am chained in a dungeon somewhere, my entire life is a choice. Choices to choose happiness. To find joy instead of only seeing the frustration. I think that's what makes me a happy person in general! Some may look at me and thing "Yvonne Parks has it made! No problems!" Well...sorry to say....this chic has a million issues, problems, hangups, complaints, and worries. But what I CHOOSE to dwell on, or be.....makes all the difference.

Was this preachy? Probably. Is your glass half empty? Half full? Who cares. Be happy you have a glass at all.