Monday, September 15, 2014

An Unselfish Spiritual Act: Being Happy

stylish mom, fashionista mom, working mom, word, abundant life, career woman,

stylish mom, fashionista mom, working mom, word, abundant life, career woman,
Shop this look:
Kate Spade Cedar Street Elissa (buy)
Blu Bijox bubble necklace (buy)
Diamond shaped stud earrings (similar)
Flared skirt in lemon yellow (similar here, mid length here, here, canary yellow here)
Camel jacket (similar here, swing jacket here)
Geometric top in multicolors (similar here, here, here, sleeveless here)

This writing was previously published in www.divinecaroline.com (here is the link to the post) However, it is my original writing, written several years ago, I just published it under a different name back then. In 2011, I re-published it under this post, and now again (with some alteration), because I believe that it's a good message to share.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!"
(Philippians 4:4)

Remember Pollyanna?

I’m a firm believer that being happy is a good thing. It is my special way to show my love to God. Some people show their faith by reaching out, loving others, and doing good, like Mother Theresa. Some by doing little deeds with love, like St. Theresa, the Little Flower. Some, by contemplation and silence, like the monks. Other ways are by fasting, maintaining self-control, being an example to the young, praying, avoid greediness, going to Church, spiritual retreat, charity, loving your brothers and sisters, etc. All are good; all require hard work, good will, and perseverance to carry them out constantly.

Of course, I try to do all or a little bit of all the ways I know on how to show my love to God. But my special way, my special calling, my special mission, is by always striving to be happy.

Sounds fun and easy, right? It’s not like organizing charity ball, or giving alms to the poor, or teaching children under the bridge or praying rosary three times a day.

Well, think again.

Being happy, like any other ways to practice spirituality, is hard work.

stylish mom, fashionista mom, working mom, word, abundant life, career woman,

It’s not easy to be happy when you’re lonely.
It’s not easy to be happy when the “love of your life” suddenly dumps you.
It’s not easy to be happy when you are a single parent and you lose a job.
It’s not easy to be happy when you are in an abusive relationship.
It's not easy to be happy wanting to have a child so badly and when you finally get pregnant, you have a miscarriage.
It is not easy to be happy when you are in the process of chemo to battle cancer disease.

It’s not easy to be happy and content when you have no money and scrimp and save and you know for a fact that your nasty but beautiful neighbor can frivolously spends thousands on a LV bag because she has a rich “sugar-daddy-husband.”
It’s not easy to be happy when you’re being passed up for a salary increase or promotion.
It’s not easy to be happy when people around you are laughing merrily and you’re sitting in the corner feeling like an outcast.
It’s not easy to be happy when you feel that your career is going nowhere and your boss is a “devil wears prada.”
It's not easy to be happy when you feel like being a homemaker is not appreciated enough, even by your own husband.

It’s not easy to be happy when your children are sick and your husband is out of a job.
It’s not easy to be happy when the news constantly remind you how corrupt the politicians are, and how bleak the economic future will be, etc.
It’s not easy to be happy when the people around you, your family, friends, parents, spouses always put you down, being cynical, negative, pessimistic, and constantly criticize you—no matter how good their intention might be. (Sometimes, the one who can kill you fastest and with the most excruciating pain is the one whom you love most)
It’s not easy to be happy when you’re sick and alone and feel like no one cares whether you’re dead or alive.
It’s not easy to be happy when all you want to do is crawl under the cover and cry your heart out and then go to sleep and never wake up again because you feel so sad and alone and miserable and it seems like there’s no reason to live.
stylish mom, fashionista mom, working mom, word, abundant life, career woman,

stylish mom, fashionista mom, working mom, word, abundant life, career woman,

I did a little research in Vatican’s Bible on-line, and found around 890-something verses in the Bible, in which God tells us to rejoice, to be glad, and to be happy. In my humble opinion, if the Almighty, Loving, and Magnificent God, who created Heaven and Earth and everything under the sun and the stars, took the trouble to say over 800 times that He wants His children to be happy, then He must really mean it.

God wants me to happy.

God wants me to strive to happy, in any circumstances.
Being happy in whatever circumstances He puts me in, meaning I trust Him wholeheartedly that He is my Father, Protector, Savior, and Provider. That He loves me and takes care of me. Even when I cannot feel His presence at all.

Being happy in whatever situation is being a light bearer in this world, being a testimony, a witness of God’s love, through the little and insignificant me.

Being happy no matter what is one of the most unselfish things I can do for people around me, because I don’t scatter poison of negativity nor complaints to my community. Because when I look happy even when I just want to roll out and die, people who love me won’t be sad for me nor worry about me, because they’ll think that I’m OK. Because by working hard to be happy, from time to time I find myself being an inspiration for others to also be happy. And because you always look OK, people don’t offer to help you, instead they come to you for help because you look like you’re “free from the problems of the world”, when all you want to do is crying out loud “Help me! Please! Somebody, anybody, help me! I want to die!” And helping others is always good and make you feel better.

So, yes, you can show your love to God by being happy.
Yes, being happy is hard work.
Yes, being happy is an unselfish thing to do.

So I always strive to be happy. No matter what.

 “I don’t buy in to the despair of this world.

I don’t see life as misery.
No matter what. So I celebrate.
I celebrate God and His creation.
I celebrate life.
And all the things it has to offer.”
stylish mom, fashionista mom, working mom, word, abundant life, career woman,

stylish mom, fashionista mom, working mom, word, abundant life, career woman,
  
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12 comments:

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage said...

THANK YOU!
I really needed to read this today. I'm trying to pull out of a light depression. Blessings,
Laura

September 15, 2014 at 7:47 PM
Unknown said...

Love the outfit, especially the necklace! True, I do believe God wants us to be joyful in all circumstances. Saw you on Mondays Musings! www.redeemingtheday.com

September 16, 2014 at 12:27 AM
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup said...

So glad I linked up next to you on Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood. I really like (and agree with) your perspective on happiness. It is work!

September 16, 2014 at 11:04 AM
Helene said...

I appreciate how difficult it can be to be happy when things are going badly. And a positive, grateful attitude can make a huge difference and encourages others! But don't be afraid so share your sorrow, it will make your sad sisters feel less alone!

September 17, 2014 at 5:04 AM
a joyful noise said...

I agree it is better to be happy than to be sad and grumpy. Thank you for sharing your lovely post with us here at “Tell Me a Story.” http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

September 17, 2014 at 1:53 PM
Lisa Lewis Koster said...

I stuggle with your post. I know Scripture says "Be joyful always," but you also find many laments. I think we're called to be genuine. Even if we're not happy we can still have a good attitude.

September 17, 2014 at 6:06 PM
Lisa Smith said...

Reminds me of the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" Every time I start to feel frustrated with something, it instantly starts singing in my head! I believe happiness is a choice--the type of happiness equated with joy in all circumstances and smiling at others, showing kindness and spreading joy is always what God calls us to do. Plus I'd be happy to if I carried that cute bag! lol

September 18, 2014 at 10:22 AM
Dawn said...

Half-way through your list I was laughing and smiling with you. Being happy is a choice we choose, especially in the hard days when we want to craw under the covers, like you said, and stay there. It is easy to choose the opposite, hard to choose the positive but when we get it... our lives change and so do others. Thanks for the reminder. You can see the joy you have in your photos. :) smile.
Blessings!
Dawn

September 19, 2014 at 9:50 PM
JES said...

Great message and very true~ Thank you for sharing at the Art of Home-Making Mondays! We hope to see you next week :)

September 20, 2014 at 12:26 AM
Jamie Rohrbaugh said...

Hi! Loved your post - especially the shirt! So pretty and colorful. Don't know about you, but a bright outfit like that gives me a headstart on being happy in the mornings. :) Found you on Titus2Tuesdays. Have a great week!

September 23, 2014 at 1:46 AM
Unknown said...

I love this message about being happy. I truly love the Lord and want to serve him and make him happy.
Love the outlook you have on life.

Lovely outfit as well. The skirt is lovely!! FAB outfit!!

September 25, 2014 at 6:08 AM
Sherri said...

Hi LeAnn! I'm so glad to find you via the I Would So Rock This Linkup. You look great in this outfit. I like all the colors. We can truly have the happiness we seek when we base it on a God who is never changing, and not our circumstances. It is not always easy but God is here to help us. Thanks for sharing! I would love to invite you to join the #WhatWivesWearLinkUp. If you are interested we meet up every Thursday at godlifehappywife.blogspot.com. I hope you could join us. Have a great weekend! ~Sherri

September 28, 2014 at 8:50 PM

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