Yesterday, I was talking to a friend of mine who was lamenting the unexplained tragedies that had befallen her and people she loved. It’s been a frequent topic of conversation, and I’ve been there before. You’re staring at the mountain in your life, and you’re not only wondering how you can get over it, but why you even have to face it in the first place.

I told her, “I don’t know why God allows war or let’s good people get cancer. I do know that if I focus on all the bad things, I’ll just be unhappy all the time, and I’m very protective of my happiness.”

One of my favorite comediennes quips that, from the moment we’re born, people are trying to steal our joy. It’s true, and that’s why I absolutely refuse to let some things get me down. I can’t, because I know that if I give worry a minute, she’ll take my whole day. So I insist on enjoying myself even when things aren’t going right. I listen to music, go for a run or find that one sliver of humor in a bad situation. I don’t even hang out with constantly negative people. It’s become an act of will – a militant resistance against the forces that seek to steal my joy. Operation Happiness… by any means necessary.

So if you’ve been struggling to hold on to happiness, I’ve got good news for you. Are you ready?

You can be happy. Yes, you. Happy. Right now. And better yet, you can stay happy if you’d like to. You may have to dig deep to find it, and when you have it, you’ll need to protect it. It sounds like work, and it is, but remember that your joy is precious. It’s a gift, and it’s worth the fight.

So tell me, what makes you happy? In a gloomy day, where you do you find your sunshine?

Need some inspiration? Read more:
How to Choose Happiness
Uplifting Quotes About Joy
10 Ways to Fill Up on Happiness