In our daily reader, it discusses happiness as an 'inside job'.  It suggests that I can be as happy as I decide to be.  Living with this disease and life issues, we often get distracted and find our happiness fleeting.  It's not realistic to be happy all the time, yet we might achieve this goal more often than not if we firmly commit to decide to be happy.  Often we choose happiness, but at the first sign of trouble abandon that choice and then question our commitment to joy as well as our own sanity/security at times.

Commitment takes work - it is a discipline/decision.  When we make a decision, we must also be willing to work for the outcome desired.  Perhaps I have a habit of responding to problems by feeling like a helpless victim - it may not be easy to stand by my decision to be happy at times.  A change of attitude sometimes helps.  Trying to look as problems as opportunities to commit more deeply to choices instead of obstacles might help.  Every obstacle can prompt me to assert that I truly mean it - I do want to be happy!!

Today's reminder --- When I make a choice and then stick with it, I teach myself that my choices do have meaning and I am worthy of trust.  I have an opportunity to make a commitment to one of my choices today.

The quote is from Robert Frost - "Our very life depends on everything's Recurring till we answer from within."

For me, I did not know or realize that happiness was a choice.  I came to the program sad, mad, broken, victimized and just defeated in all areas of my being.  Taking small steps suggested to me by those who came before me helped lift my spirit a bit.  More steps towards the program, the steps, the slogans and the suggestions brought about even a brighter spirit.  One day, as I woke up and did not feel like a failure, a victim and/or a loser -- I realized that my commitment to the program and a changed person with my belief in a higher power was lifting me up towards a better way and a better life.

I no longer desire to be a victim and I stopped looking for blame outside of me.  When I am bothered, I need to look at me.  What part of my spirit is in need that I am giving my power away to another?  Why would I allow anyone else to rob me of my joy?  How can I be of service today to keep my program front and center in my brain?  How can I be a part of my solution instead of wallowing in the problem?

I choose to be happy.  I choose to stop blaming life, others and this disease for my emotional state.  I partner up with God and we go forward, as best we can, one day at a time.  Thank you MIP family and Al-Anon for a renewed spirit, a renewed attitude and for giving me the choice to be happy!