OK, so sometimes I do get down but most of the time I try to maintain a default setting of happiness. It did not come naturally nor was I nurtured in that way...it came by choice after years of often being sad, hurt, afraid, betrayed and on guard.

See, the alternative eventually became self-evident. Continue to be unhappy and focused externally on what others could do or say to me...or focus inwardly on my responses.

From that first choice came a sense of peace and then empowerment over my own destiny. Yes, I still have to live in the world with all its frustrations. If you are close to me, you know that I am still tender hearted but you also know that very few have the power to truly hurt me.

In most instances of pain and frustration now, if I can quiet myself enough...I find that I am struggling with releasing control of something I could never control in the first place.

Choose release not the facade of control, choose personal empowerment not abdication, choose happiness over frustration.

Why not be happy whenever you can?