Quote of the Week: “Happiness isn’t something that depends on our surroundings…”

Happy Monday! I hope you are healthy, enjoying some beautiful weather, and excited about starting a new week. This week’s quote is from my favorite memoir, The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. As usual, if you’ve never read it before, I recommend it.

“Happiness isn’t something that depends on our surroundings […] It’s something we make inside ourselves.”

Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place

Although we face numerous trials in our lives that leave us uncomfortable, depressed, anxious, and even heartbroken, we can still find happiness in them. We don’t have to be victims of circumstance. We get to choose every day whether to be cheerful and thankful or upset and ungrateful. It’s pretty amazing when you stop and think about it.

But as wonderful as that sounds, it still takes a lot of work and practice. I’ll be the first to admit that when things go wrong, I do not choose peace and happiness. I’m a cup-half-empty kind of girl, and it’s hard for me to find joy and gratitude in difficult situations. It’s easier to complain and worry. This is why I want to challenge us to find happiness in any circumstance we encounter this week. Practice gratitude because when you’re thankful, you’re not leaving much room for worry and unhappiness to flourish.

Have a beautiful week filled with joy and gratitude!