My response to the above article

Wow...this is good stuff.. I agree with so much of this (the italics are my emphases)...

When I was in my early 20's I went through a bout of depression. Someone recommended a book to me entitled "Happiness is a Choice". Even the title of this book pissed me off. Why in the world would I choose depression??

As I've grown in age and maturity, I now see that the title is entirely true. Now, some due to nature/nuture are just blessed with a more positive outlook on life rather than a negative. However, it does take work to be happy; to make a choice to be positive and grateful. There are horribly depressing things in this world; BUT there are delightful, pleasurable, beautiful things as well. Which are we going to choose to focus on? If we want to be miserable, we can choose to focus on the negative. If we want to be upbeat, positive, happy people, we can choose to focus on the positive (have you noticed how much I love the word choose/choice??? It IS up to US! and us alone)....

I have made the choice to be grateful, to fight my battles, to take responsibility where the responsibility is mine, to notice the beauty in life. NOW, that's not to say life doesn't utterly SUCK at times. I've had more pain in my 35 years than I care to admit. Fifteen years ago I would have sworn I'd be married to my best friend and have lots of babies... I'm nowhere near that... I haven't found my dream job..yada, yada, yada... But I have a precious family, precious friends, have internal strength that I never dreamed I'd have. I am fighting my health and my debt head on. I am making huge progress. I have a God who is FOR me. I have a brain, and talents and great things going for me. Life is good. And I am grateful. Today I choose to be happy. What is your choice?