And, I choose to have joy.

To be happy.

To be cheerful.

Every day, over every circumstances,

I choose to be joyful.

Continuously, consistently.

You see, being happy is a choice.

A conscious decision.

It doesn’t mean there are no tears.

It doesn’t mean there are no pains.

It doesn’t mean there are no hurting words thrown at me.

It doesn’t mean my roses have no thorns.

It doesn’t mean my heart has not known pain, hurt and ache.

It doesn’t mean my eyes has not shed a tear or two.

It doesn’t mean my hands have not toiled and not be compensated.

It doesn’t mean my heart have not craved something and not had it.

My choice to be happy is simply a proclamation of the joy that is welled up deep inside of me.

A joy that is not dependent on temporary circumstances.

A joy that sees far beyond the light of the day and the dark of the night.

A joy that is deep and overflowing.

A joy that is indescribable.

And, in that joy, I stand.

I stand tall.

And, I see my blessings.

And, I choose to be happy.

To be joyful,

no matter what.