The "if onlies"

A prominent psychologist once said that the happiest people are the ones who don't have a case of the "if-onlies" as in "My life would be perfect if only..." You fill in the blank.

Do you think it's because those happy people have perfect circumstances? Or could it be that they are able to be content with what they already have?

Happiness doesn't arise from circumstances. It comes from one's attitude or approach to one's circumstances. Happiness is more of a choice than you might think.

I don't have the if-onlies. I love my life. Yes I hate my wallpaper, and I'm the one who picked it out, which makes it even worse. Yes I have a disabled teen that still can't zip his own zipper. He will likely always be dependent on me, and I probably will never enjoy an empty nest.

But it would be stupid of me to still be chasing after an elusive happiness. Life is full of brokenness, and I've decided I can be happy anyway. I can find happiness right here and now.

Here's a challenge today to all of you who still have eating issues, eating disorders, or any kind of dysfunction. Can you try saying, "My life is already pretty good, even with my eating issues." Or "My life is already pretty good, even though I'm overweight." Is it possible you could choose to be happy RIGHT NOW, even though you're still on a path to overcoming your problems?

Granted, there are sad times in life. So maybe contentment, rather than happiness, is what I'm talking about. Some folks call it joy. How much power do we really have to be content or joyous, regardless of outside circumstances? Quite a bit, I would venture.

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