I remember the moment it happened. I was listening intently as the seminar presenter quoted Eleanor Roosevelt when she said, "No one can make me feel inferior without my consent." Immediately the power of those words sunk deep into my heart and I thought, "That's wonderful! That means no one can make me angry unless I allow it. And no one can offend me without my permission! That means . . . happiness is a choice!"
I decided right then and there to make conscious choices about how I respond to others and to my circumstances. I resolved, in that moment, to refuse to be offended by anyone.
I decided right then and there to make conscious choices about how I respond to others and to my circumstances. I resolved, in that moment, to refuse to be offended by anyone.
Within the hour my resolve was tested. The lecture came to a close and my cell phone rang. It was my oldest son explaining that one of our subcontractors had just walked off the job and our home construction would be delayed, again. My son reported that the contractor got a better job offer and just left.
Read Paula's entire article Happiness is a Choice
Paula Fellingham, our official Strengthening Women and Families Expert
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