No matter how hard life is right now, remember that no one can take away your ability to choose your attitude in the middle of your difficult circumstances.
Choose joy. Choose love. Choose gratitude. Choose hope. Choose courage.
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
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Gabriela says
I like this. My email signature is “Choose joy. There is always something to be grateful for.” 🙂 It’s interesting how it is all about the action. Just like Love is an action. It is not about feelings.
Angel says
My small group is currently studying Let It Go by Karen Ehman. Last night we discussed this very topic. I just shared this quote with the ladies to show how God is reinforcing what he is teaching us. Thanks!
Mel says
Yes and no. If you live in a first world country, then contentment is totally a choice. But if you live in a developing country and are starving, it’s pretty hard to be content. As I’ve looked at faces of mothers in Haiti who have spent time listening to their baby’s cries because they are literally starving, there’s little contentment in that place. I believe we have a responsibility to make sure that all humans have the opportunity to be content.
Brenna says
Amen!
Jennifer says
Yes, we cannot control the things that happen to us, but we can choose how we respond. I live in the North and suffer with SAD, and there are months that we see less than 10% of available sunshine. Depressing. This year I tried something new. For every time I found myself complaining about the weather whether it was out loud or only in my head, I had to speak three things that I was thankful for—out loud. This winter my SAD was not nearly as bad as it usually is. It is impossible for thankfulness and whatever negative emotion to reside in the same place, even if only for a few moments.
I totally agree with Crystal, it is active. Sometimes we have to choose contentment every other minute, but it is so much better than wallowing in discontent.
Trials challenge us down to our very core at times, but it is through these trials that we find out who we are, and then, hopefully, we blaze a new trail to where we want to be.
Stephanie says
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kariane says
This is so true. We choose how to interpret everything we encounter, and we have the choice to focus on the positive.
I’m currently in the process of writing a book review about a children’s book that teaches this very lesson. The review will go live tomorrow morning (9 April).
Stormy says
While a lovely thought in your post, I do not agree with the original quote. To be “content” means to be “satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.” If you are in a bad situation, such as a bad marriage or a bad job, then trying to improve it, if at all possible, is better than giving up. Sure, have hope and courage that you can change things and have joy and love for the good in your life, but don’t force yourself to be content with the way things are if you truly think a change is best and achievable.
Crystal Paine says
I definitely agree with the need to constantly work on bettering ourselves and our situations — as you probably well know from my blog. 🙂
Contentment, to me, is active not passive. It’s about making the most of what we have, it’s about choosing to bloom where we’re planted, it’s about improving ourselves and our situations as best as we can — instead of chasing after something else and looking for a quick fix. It’s an inner heart peace that embraces life and seeks to beautify and better it.
Because, at the end of the day, more stuff and a different situation is not going to make us more fulfilled if we’re not choosing joy and gratitude and to make the most of our situation right where we are.
I hope that helps to clarify! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!