What makes one happy?

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Morale is how somebody feels emotionally. I never really put much thought into this subject until I began my law enforcement career. There, it was called "Esprit De Corps" which is the morale of a group of people, and it was proven to affect work performance. Esprit De Corps exists nearly everywhere and in every group. From church, to the football field, and the Salvation Army to the United States Army.

But what is happiness? I mean the morale of an individual. As in what makes a person happy?

Is it about where he lives, or the size of his house? Or is it the car he drives, or the vacation his takes. Is it how much he earns, or what he has acquired with those earnings. Is it about who his father was, or the accomplishments of his children? Or, is it about what he has built, or what he has destroyed? Is it about what he has given, or what he has taken? Is it about whether he owns his own company, or works for another? Is it about the person he elected, or is it that he was elected?

You know, all of these factors surely effect one's happiness to some degree. But, I find that one's personal happiness is determined by his own personality, rather than those around him.

I have seen or met many that can attest to that. Even as they search for a way to feed their family in the hut of poverty stricken country, they are seen as happy. Even as they lead their donkey drawn wagon around the air conditioned car, they seems happy. Even though their father was in prison, they strive to be honest citizens. Even though they work hard to provide an education for their, they remain happy when they fail. As they clean the floors of the office of their employer, they remain happy. Even though they have failed, they keep trying.

But, more often that is not the case. More often we let the people around us effect our morale. Now, if they are uplifting, we are uplifted. That bad news is that when we surround ourselves with people of low morale, our attitudes generally follow.

So my point is, "Don't worry. Be happy." Your morale is controlled by you. Your life is what you make it. Don't allow others to control your morale. Even during the most challenging or desperate of times, you can be happy if that's what you want.

Even as one who seems to seldom smile, I am happy. Very happy. I am happy with where I've been, where I'm at, and where I'm going. I have "Been there" or "Done that" for everything that is within reason, and I don't want to do it again.
Trust the Lord. Pursue your dreams. Speak out loud. Cast your vote, but keep your happiness whatever the result. You really can!
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