Are you happy?

As I go through my emails today, I came across this email and made me stop and think.. do I really know what happiness is? Do I understand the real essence of the word? Am I happy with what I have around me right now?

After reading this, I knew that I am happy because I choose to be.

Excerpts for an email forum: What is Happiness???

" Who are the happiest people on earth?" These were the four prize-winning answers:

1. A craftsman or artist whistling over a job well done.

2. A little child building sand castles.

3. A mother, after a busy day, bathing her baby.

4. A doctor who has finished a difficult and dangerous operation, and saved a human life.

No matter how the world strives for millions, riches and rank do not make happy lives.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges.

Treasure every moment you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special and remember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you lose ten pounds, until you have kids, until you retire, until you get married, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until the first or fifteen, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die to decide that there is no better time than now to be happy.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

There is one thing no person can ever take away from you - and that is your freedom to choose how you will react to what happens to youself. Even under the most difficult of circumstances, happiness is a choice, which transforms our tragedies into triumph.

So you said you got a difficult boss? Your savings is running low? You've got problems? Welcome to the club! It's your choice. You can either groan, moan and whimper or you can choose to appreciate God's blessings and be happy.

Your friends? They're gifts from God. Your family and love ones? You'll never find people who would care for you the way they do. Yes! And that includes your in-laws! Don't take these daily miracles for granted.

Work like you don't need money. Love like you've never been hurt. And dance like no one's watching.