Each day when I wake up, I can choose to be happy or I can choose to be in resistance to everything that comes my way.

Today, I sat in a nearly four-hour meeting. A few months ago, I was very resistant and dreaded this exploratory meeting. I’ve got work to do, I thought. That’s four hours of my day gone. But with a new perspective and having an open mind, I actually felt a sense of accomplishment after the meeting. I was happy with our group’s results and realized that I trusted the process we were going through. For once, I was not resisting.

I can choose to be happy.

Lately, I’ve noticed that a lot of people are unhappy, filled with anger, worry and fear, or preoccupied by deadlines and chaos.

Happiness is a choice. This time, I choose not to get sucked into their storms.

In the past, I unconsciously “absorbed” other people’s negative energy. If someone felt upset and angry, they would come and talk to me. After hanging out, they would feel better, but then I would feel exhausted. Over the years, I’ve learned how to set my boundaries so I would no longer feel drained.

Today, I have a powerful realization that I am in charge of how I feel regardless of what’s going on around me. I almost feel guilty feeling a new passion for life and being joyfully happy—even when I’m working on deadline.

Happiness is a choice, and I decide to be happy.