I heard a quote recently from educator Robert Anthony: "Most people would rather be certain they're miserable than risk being happy."  The enormity of that really struck me.  After all, I am, by nature, a generally happy person.  In fact, I've been accused in my life of being "too" happy!  But why would someone choose misery over happiness?  Isn't happiness even mentioned in the American Declaration of Independence?

The answer to the second question is yes, although as Ben Franklin pointed out, "The Declaration only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness.  You have to catch it yourself."   The first question is more complicated.  To be happy requires a great deal of risk.  And risk calls courage into play.

1.     Happiness requires the courage to overlook shortcomings, those of others and more importantly those we bear ourselves. 

 

Face facts folks, there's only one perfect being (whose form is for you to decide).  All the rest of us have faults.  There's no point in dwelling on them; just accept that and move on.

2.     Happiness requires the courage to be open.  If we're closed to new ideas, new adventures, and new people, not only can't we be happy, we won't even be very interesting. 

 

And remember that trying new things doesn't mean you have to do them forever.  You can always go back to your old ways and will be much better rounded for the "trying."

It's tough to look for positives in a world full of negative news.  Despite the fact that we're bleeding money from our 401ks, our homes are worth less and our incomes are being challenged, we're not in this alone.  Human nature is to band together in tough times to overcome.  We've done it before, we'll do it again.

The bottom line is this: choosing misery over happiness ensures you'll be miserable.  But having the courage to choose happiness gives you a 50-50 chance of succeeding.  I'll chose happiness every time!