The Declaration of Independence reads: ”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Why did our forefathers include this in one of the most important documents our nation possesses? The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness.  You have to make it happen yourself. We all have the right to pursue happiness! It is a matter of intentional choice. This does not include being a blind optimist which can become detrimental to your reality. It is a matter of learning how to deal with life with a positive attitude of overcoming. In fact, choosing to be happy is one of the very few essential decisions that we get to keep regardless of age, stage of life, or present situation. It’s a decision that can’t be taken away, and no one else can make it for you. You own it – now live it. Each one of us gets to choose, every single moment of every day, whether or not we decide to be happy.

 When we choose to be happy and discover the positives in life, we can change our environment as well as our circumstances by the way we respond to these people and events. People who make positive choices and live with happiness and optimism create an overall healthier lifestyle. They tend to improve their health by reducing stress and stress related ailments (physical, emotional, spiritual and mental). Happiness does heal and restore. Happy people also increase their achievements by combining their beliefs, talent, abilities, and desires to accomplish their goals.

Knowing that our happiness is generated from within us, we can learn to create and use internal intentional activities to grow our lives. We then focus on how to change our actions and responses to our circumstances. Isn’t it great to know that our happiness can be contagious? Imagine everyone in your own neighborhood deciding to be happy and embrace life with an optimistic attitude.  

What have you personally chosen to do?  ~ Dr. Sandra Sessoms-Penny~