No One Should Steal Your Happy
By Dr. Marcia
“I apologize for what happened yesterday, and it won’t happen again. Today, no one is going to steal my happy!” Those were the words of my seven-year student who had a temper tantrum the day before and he declared that he was responsible for his happiness. This bold statement from a young child hit me like a rock because it also made me think about the days when I would allow someone to steal my happy. The same days that I may have even thrown a tantrum of my own because I was frustrated and even confused. What about you, have you ever allowed someone to steal your happy? 
It is interesting to say that even though I am a) many years older than seven and b) the teacher and leader for children. This was a huge lesson for me and a reminder that I am definitely in charge of my happiness. It had me thinking of so many ways that I can make myself happy as well as helping others to be happy. Of course, there are days when things just seem overwhelming and overbearing but there has to be some ways to be happy and claim our happy. For me, being happy spiritually will lead me to greater happiness. I am reminded of the Bible verse in Nehemiah 8:10 NIV, “Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Strength and happiness go hand in hand, those two words also help with our affirmation. Let’s not clutch on to sadness – choose happiness. We are sometimes addicted to being sad.
Our children can teach us so much, but we may marginalize what they have to say and miss their point. Let’s help them and ourselves to reach out towards being the positive emotion. Let go of the familiar negative energy. Happiness may seem like it’s hard to find, but we should meditate on this quote from an author who is unknown, “Don’t let the entire staircase overwhelm you. Just focus on that first step.” Remember being happy is really up to you! Sometimes we allow others to really steal or happy or we rely on others to decide when we are happy.
There are many people who have written about ways to encourage us to be happy. I will list some of them, even though I don’t think the list exhausted. Maybe we can look at see if some of them will help. According to Cyndi Calhoun in an article in Lifehack. She shares this list.
Start with a good dose of gratitude.
Make sure you are giving back.
Laugh every day (it’s better than money)
Foster good relationships with family and friends.
Take some alone time.
Do what you love.
Volunteer your time.
Get enough exercise.
I can only wonder if anyone or anything is stealing our happy. Believe me I have really been thinking and taking stack of what is stealing my happy or joy.
There 
are studies that say that happiness really begins with showing gratitude, so that’s a good place to start – Give thanks for everything!