Be Happy Where You Are
from www.PositiveChristianity.net
It’s hard to believe how long ago this happened—it feels like just yesterday. Back in 1990, on a Sunday afternoon, I went with my family to Branson, Missouri. The next morning, we decided to visit the outlet mall.
I was excited because I love to shop. But my four-year-old son, Jonathan, was not happy at all. He was bored and wanted to do something fun.
So I told him, “Jonathan, in just a little while, I’m going to take you to a zoo like you’ve never seen before.” (It’s easy to impress a four-year-old with promises of something they've never done in their “whole life.”)
I said, “We’re going to Wilderness Country Safari.”
This was a drive-through zoo where the animals roam free, and you stay in your car. Jonathan lit up with excitement. Every few minutes, he tugged at my pants and asked, “Is it time to go to the zoo now?”
Finally, we made it to the zoo. Even the parking lot was full of animals. I stepped out of the car and spotted a baboon. “Look at that cute little baboon,” I said, holding Jonathan. “Let’s go pet it.”
The baboon had its back to me. But when it turned around and saw me approaching, it bared its teeth and made it very clear what was on its mind: attack the man with the child.
That baboon chased me across the parking lot. And for those who doubt my fitness—let me tell you, I outran that baboon with a 50-pound child gripping the top of my head like his life depended on it!
Once we made it inside, things didn’t get any calmer. A buffalo walked right up to our car window and stared inside. I was thrilled. I loved the experience.
My daughter Jennifer, who had just turned eleven, was not as thrilled. “Dad, move the car. This isn’t funny. MOVE THE CAR!” she kept saying.
Jonathan, now silent in the backseat, was frozen with fear—completely still, hoping the buffalo wouldn’t see him.
So I moved the car. And every time an animal approached, the same thing happened. Jennifer panicked, Jonathan stayed frozen in terror, and I slowly drove through. Finally, we exited the park.
As soon as we were out, Jonathan jumped up and down in the backseat, shouting, “Yay, Daddy! Yay, Daddy!” In his eyes, I had saved the day.
Now, think about that old saying: “The grass is always greener on the other side.”
Remember the show Green Acres? The couple, Oliver and Lisa, always argued about where happiness could be found. Oliver would sing, “Green Acres is the place to be…” while Lisa sang, “New York is where I’d rather stay…” They were never on the same page.
So let me ask you: Where do you think happiness really is?
Many people believe happiness is somewhere else—some other place, some other time. They keep putting it off. They think, “One day I’ll be happy. Just not today.”
But think about this: You are not just a body stuck in one location—you are a mind with a free will. You can choose your attitude no matter where you are.
We often tell ourselves, “If I just get a new job, a promotion, a different relationship, or when I retire… then I’ll be happy.” But here’s the issue: wherever you go, you bring yourself with you. All the old habits, thoughts, and emotions that kept you from being happy before will follow you there.
Even when we do get what we want, it’s often not enough. That voice in our head says, “Is this all there is?” And so, we keep chasing the next thing.
It becomes a habit—a habit of waiting. Waiting for Friday. Waiting for the weekend. Waiting for life to change before we give ourselves permission to be happy.
But happiness is too precious to keep postponing.
Decide now to be happy today.
Practice happiness. It’s your natural state. You may have learned to be unhappy—it may have even become a habit—but like any habit, it can be unlearned.
Yes, it’s hard at first. But it’s possible. There’s no better time than right now.
When you choose happiness, you’ll begin to shine. People are drawn to those who carry joy. The world is starving for a simple smile, an encouraging word, a hopeful outlook.
You can be that person.
You are the one who carries the cure.
You radiate joy—not just with your face, but from your soul. And that kind of happiness is contagious. It spreads from heart to heart.
So don’t wait for life to get better.
Be happy where you are.
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POSITIVE DAILY PRAYER:
Make this a profound moment in my life.
This is a moment of decision.
I no longer base my happiness on outer events.
I become happy by living inside out.
I choose happiness.
I do not delay happiness.
Happiness is mine to experience now.
With You, by my side, how can I be anything but happy.
I pray that my soul smiles in momentary delight.
I become like a child again, and smile with the joyous grin.
I chuckle. I laugh deeply. I enjoy.
Amen
POSITIVE DAILY AFFIRMATIONS:
My purpose in life is to be happy and enjoy it.
POSITIVE DAILY QUOTE:
"Be happy with what you have and are, be generous with both, and you won't have to hunt for happiness." William E. Gladstone