It ain’t always easy bein’ happy but it beats the alternative. I made the decision years ago that when someone asked me how I was, I would smile and say I’m amazing, or awesome or extraordinary; at the worst “fine.” I do occasionally feel like a liar because it doesn’t always feel true. But it is. I have the occasional off day where when that “how ya feelin’?” question arises and I would like to say, “Well, since you ask” and then let it go with both canons firing. But to what avail? Then we’re both upset. So, my “I’m fine” theory will continue. You may be thinking that that’s a very caring attitude for my fellowman. Not always. Sometimes it’s just me taking care of me.
Apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 2:1-4
But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
It doesn’t take very long into a conversation with a negative personality before you begin thinking “oh gracious… why did I ask?” I write about this more often than any other topic because I believe we need the encouragement. To country quote Paul, I am not going to share with you how bad my day is because then you’ll have a bad day, and together we’ll share just exactly how lousy the whole world is and before you know it I’m as low as scum trail from a snails belly on a hot July day. That’s low! I love you too much for that. I realize that I may be the only joy someone has in the course of the day, and that’s pretty sad but it’s reality. So I too determined, I’m not going to tell you because it’s not healthy for either of us.
I’ve always been a very private person. If my husband and I have a Mister and Mrs. (aka disagreement) I don’t feel obliged to go to the office and share it with the staff. It just continues the drama. Stop it! And it doesn’t speak well of my husband. Nor do I share it with my children and cause them to disrespect their father. If someone hurts my feelings, I generally don’t tell anyone, because then someone else is upset at them, and I may have just been tenderhearted about the whole situation. And then, there are those people who like to have roasted preacher for Sunday dinner, and then wonder why no one accepts their invitation to “bring a friend” day at church. Come on! Don’t do it.
Psalm 34:14 ~ Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Happiness does not come easy, it has to be pursued. Apostle Paul knew it, King David knew it and I know it. There’s a song we sang as children “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap, clap), If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap, clap). For the Father up above, is looking down on you in love, If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap, clap).”
Life’s rough. Choose to be happy today. If clouds of sorrow start to overshadow you, start singing “If you’re happy and you know it.” If the first verse doesn’t work, sing them all! I love you and so does Jesus!!! Really 
