Happiness =)

Happy people don’t care about what others do or have. They don’t judge themselves by anyone’s yardstick. They stay focused on their own goals and objectives, not worrying a great deal what anyone else thinks. They avoid comparisons with others recognizing that there will always be people who have more or are better.

Be grateful for who you are and what you have…

This isn’t to say that we should be content with our lot in life and make no initiative to improve, but rather, enjoy and appreciate the good things that come our way and make the most out of it. There are a lot of things in life that you may not have, but there are a lot more things in life that you truly have – and which you just don’t notice!

If you really think about it, we are al blessed with a lot of good things both within and around us. Just consider the following simple facts, which many of us tend to overlook:

If you wake up on Monday morning feeling strong, healthy and alert…then you are luckier than approximately one million others who will not be alive by the end of the week.

If you sit down for breakfast with your parents or other family members…you are one of the shrinking few who eats regularly with their families.

If you have food on the table and clothes to wear to work or school…you are part of only 25% in this world who can afford such things.

If you can read the newspaper on the way out…you are far better off than over two billion people in the world who are classified as illiterate.

If you have money to withdraw from an ATM or change with which to buy some snacks or other luxuries…you belong to the selected 10% of the humanity who have enough money for their daily needs.

If you can bring out your cellphone and text your friends or family while at work…you are one of the lucky few who can afford electronic gadgets; it’s estimated that up to 70% of the world’s population still has no access to the latest telecommunication facilities.

If you are able to hold your loves ones’ hands, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder when you got home…you are lucky because so many people don’t have home of their own.

And on weekends, if you got o a house of worship freely…you are more blessed than three billion people in the world who cannot.

These are just some of the many things that we are privileged and blessed to experience. Appreciating them is all a matter of attitude; it depends on how you see things. Is the glass of water before you half-empty…or half-full? Is the stone right before you a stumbling block…or a stepping stone? Is your life filled with trials and adversities…or is it teeming with challenges than can help you become a better person later on? Happiness is not just a feeling, it’s a condition, a choice, and an attitude that you create.