Yesterday, March 20th, was the International Day of Happiness. An interesting word, isn’t it?

Over time, I’ve heard all sorts of expressions of “happiness”: I’ll be happy when I have money, when I change jobs, when I become a parent, when my child finishes their exams, when I get away from my parents, when I get my own car, when I get through this tough time, and so on.

Oh, how well we’ve learned to complain! And yes, it’s clearly happiness’s fault. It’s the only one to blame for what we don’t have, don’t do, and don’t become. Happiness and all those external sources that prevent us from having a wonderful life. Well, here’s some breaking news: we were born happy (it’s no wonder babies laugh for no apparent reason, right?), but because we’re such intelligent and logical beings, we know exactly how to put obstacles in our own way. We’ve reached the point where some have started teaching courses on happiness. Good for us – it’s one more chance to wake up.

Here are a few reasons to be happy… surely you’ll find a few for yourself!

Be happy when:
– You live in Romania and have a chance at a “long life,” instead of living in an African country where the mortality rate is close to 40-50%
– You walk in the rain and get wet – you’re healthy and can walk, while others are born disabled
– You have to pay your utility bills – you have a roof over your head, while others sleep on the street
– You have a heated conversation with your child – they still love you and want to communicate with you, while others spend a lifetime trying to have children and cannot
– Your parents don’t have the money to buy you what you want – you have parents who give you all they can, while others are orphans
– You see a product in a store you can’t afford – you have eyes to see, while others are born without sight
– You have a car accident and need to take it in for repairs – you’re still alive, while others don’t get a second chance.

So let’s choose to be happy NOW, not in a second, a week, or a year.

I want you to pause for one minute and think, what in your life is worth being happy for? The list might get quite long, but don’t panic; after all, you have a wonderful life, right?