I would like to hear a discussion about whether or not people think that you can choose to be happy. I have this theory that you CAN choose to some extent to be happy, but would like to hear what others think.

I feel as if you have a positive outlook and want to be happy then no matter what you go through in life, you tend to be happier. On the other side, if you choose to be sad or have a negative attitude, then even if you go through the same exact experiences, they tend to be worse because you do not have a good outlook.

I also think that if you choose to be happy, then happier events find you. Let me explain. Lets say that you are generally a positive person - I think that other people can see this and it really opens more opportunities. Emotions are also very contagious. The emotions that you go through really do affect the people around you.

I don't think that you can be happy all the time. I'm only thinking in general having a positive attitude. What do others think?

I do believe you can choose happiness. I have actually made a consience effort to be happy and have seen great results in business and my personal relationships.

I'm sure you have heard of it, but check out the book "The Secert." It explains what they call the "law of attraction." Basically, by controlling what you focus and think about, you have the ability to make a reality. It is impossible to be happy and have negative thoughts going through your head, the opposite is also true....it is impossible the be negative while you have positive thoughts going through your head.

Everyone reading this try something for me:

Simple smile

Now try to be unhappy while smiling!! Amazing isn't it!

You can't control anyone else and you are stuck with your family. (Every family has the person that has to complain about everything...) So you can't get rid of them; however, you can avoid negative people like the plague!

So, guess it may take work....but I truly do believe we have the ability to chose happiness.

Baloo, I think you are absolutely right. Really, your post got me thinking which is good! It really is hard to be upset while smiling. It's a little crazy isn't it? I wonder if smiling does something more to our body than we think? Maybe it releases some sort of good chemical

I'll have to check out that book that you mentioned. I heard about it a while ago, but I'll go get it.

I also think that it is important to surround yourself with positive & good people. It gives you so much more energy!

That is really interesting. I've always had the same thoughts as "The law of attraction", but I never knew there was a term for it. I started reading the book "The Secret" and thought, "wow, people have been thinking this way for a while". Cool stuff.

That is cool. I just finished reading the book and I saw the movie http://www.thesecret.tv/ . I guess it does go right along with what I was talking about. Thanks Baloo!