150 Quotes About Choosing Happiness for Daily Inspiration
Discover 150 powerful quotes about choosing happiness. Learn how to make the decision to be joyful every day, regardless of your circumstances.
I used to believe that happiness was something that happened to me. I thought it was a destination I would eventually reach once I checked off all the right boxes—the perfect job, the ideal relationship, and a stress-free life. But the more I chased those external markers, the more elusive happiness became. It felt like I was running after a horizon that kept moving further away.
Then, during a particularly difficult season where everything seemed to be going wrong, I came across a simple yet profound realization: happiness isn’t a result; it’s a choice. I found that even when my external world was in chaos, I still held the power to choose my internal response. I started small, choosing to find one thing to be grateful for each morning, and slowly, that choice became a habit.
These quotes about choosing happiness have been my compass through both sunny and stormy days. They remind me that while we can’t always control what happens to us, we are the absolute masters of how we feel about it. Here are 150 of my favorite quotes to help you make the decision to be happy today and every day after.
The Power of Choice in Happiness
The fundamental truth about joy is that it is a decision we make repeatedly. We often wait for the “right” moment to be happy, but according to experts at Psychology Today, choosing happiness is a proactive mental state that we can cultivate. These quotes emphasize that the steering wheel of your emotional life is firmly in your own hands.
“Happiness is a choice, not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy.” — Unknown
This reminds us that no external achievement can fill an internal void if we haven’t first decided to be content.
“Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.” — Jim Rohn
Success in our emotional lives requires the same intentionality as success in our careers.
“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln’s wisdom suggests that our internal resolution is the primary factor in our daily joy.
“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” — Aristotle
The ancient philosophers understood that our state of mind is a personal responsibility.
“If you want to be happy, be.” — Leo Tolstoy
Sometimes the simplest path is the most direct one—choosing to exist in a state of happiness right now.
“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” — Dalai Lama
Our daily habits and choices are the building blocks of our overall well-being.
“Happiness or unhappiness is often a matter of choice.” — Unknown
We are the architects of our own emotional reality.
“The only reason you are happy is because you choose to be happy. Happiness is a choice, and so is suffering.” — Miguel Angel Ruiz
Choosing joy often means simultaneously choosing to let go of unnecessary suffering.
“Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy. There’s going to be stress in life, but it’s your choice whether you let it affect you or not.” — Unknown
Stress is inevitable, but its impact on our happiness is within our control.
“The greatest power that a person possesses is the power to choose.” — Unknown
Of all the freedoms we have, the freedom to choose our attitude is the most significant.
“Choose to be happy today, because happiness looks amazing on you.” — Unknown
Sometimes we need to remember that our joy is a gift to ourselves and those around us.
“I choose to be happy. So which will you choose?” — Pam Muñoz Ryan
A direct question that forces us to look at our own agency in our emotional lives.
“Happiness is a habit – cultivate it.” — Elbert Hubbard
Like any skill, choosing happiness becomes easier the more we practice it.
“Happiness is a decision.” — Michael J. Fox
Even in the face of significant challenges, the decision to remain positive is possible.
“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” — William Jennings Bryan
We don’t just wait for happiness to arrive; we go out and create it through our decisions.
Daily Decisions for a Joyful Life
Each day presents us with thousands of tiny opportunities to choose joy. Whether it’s how we react to a traffic jam or how we greet a coworker, these small moments add up. If you’re looking for more ways to start your day right, our collection of happiness quotes to brighten your day offers even more daily inspiration.
“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be.” — Groucho Marx
Starting the day with an intentional declaration of happiness sets the tone for everything that follows.
“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future.” — Unknown
The present moment is the only place where we can actually experience joy.
“The habit of being happy enables one to be freed from the domination of outward conditions.” — Robert Louis Stevenson
When we make happiness a habit, we become resilient to the ups and downs of life.
“Don’t forget to tell yourself positive things daily! You must love yourself internally to glow externally.” — Unknown
Our internal monologue is one of the most important choices we make every single day.
“What we choose to focus on and what we choose to ignore—plays in defining the quality of our life.” — Cal Newport
Protecting our attention is a crucial part of maintaining our happiness.
“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” — William Morris
Finding wonder in the mundane is a choice that leads to lasting satisfaction.
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” — Omar Khayyam
We often live for the future, but happiness is only ever found in the ‘now’.
“Happiness is a direction, not a place.” — Sydney J. Harris
It’s about the choices we make on the journey, not just reaching the destination.
“Happiness consists more in conveniences of pleasure that occur every day than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom.” — Benjamin Franklin
Focusing on small daily wins is a more sustainable path to joy than waiting for major milestones.
“The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.” — Richard Bach
Fully immersing ourselves in good moments is a choice that honors the gift of life.
“Happiness is the art of never holding in your mind the memory of any unpleasant thing that has passed.” — Unknown
Choosing what to remember and what to release is vital for a peaceful mind.
“Very little is needed to make a happy life. It is all within yourself in your way of thinking.” — Marcus Aurelius
Simplicity is often the companion of the happiest hearts.
“Happiness is not having what you want. It is appreciating what you have.” — Unknown
Gratitude is the lens that turns what we have into enough.
“Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success.” — Herman Cain
When we choose to be happy first, we find that our productivity and achievements often follow.
“To live happily is an inward power of the soul.” — Aristotle
No one can take away the power you have over your own internal world.
Choosing Happiness During Hard Times
It is easy to be happy when everything is going well, but the true test of our character is choosing joy when life gets difficult. Researchers at Harvard Health have found that a positive outlook can actually improve physical health and recovery. These quotes serve as reminders that the light is always there, even in the shadows.
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” — J. K. Rowling
This famous quote from Dumbledore is a beautiful metaphor for our agency in finding hope.
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!” — Dolly Parton
Choosing to see the purpose in our struggles helps us remain hopeful for the future.
“Happiness is a choice. You grieve, you stomp your feet, you pick yourself up and choose to be happy.” — Lucy Lawless
Resilience is the act of choosing to move forward even when we’ve been knocked down.
“Not having the best situation, but seeing the best in your situation is the key to happiness.” — Unknown
Perspective is the most powerful tool we have for changing our reality.
“I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It’s all a question of how I view my life.” — Unknown
Reframing our challenges as adventures changes our entire emotional experience.
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” — Abraham Maslow
Choosing happiness often requires the courage to choose growth over comfort.
“Happiness comes in waves. It’ll find you again.” — Anonymous
Even when we feel low, choosing to believe that joy will return is a vital act of faith.
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.” — Viktor Frankl
Frankl’s wisdom, born out of immense suffering, is the ultimate testament to the power of choice.
“Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and celebrating it for everything that it is.” — Mandy Hale
Releasing our rigid expectations allows us to find joy in the reality of our lives.
“There is no point dwelling in the dark and ignoring the light of the stars.” — Unknown
We have the power to look up, even when we are in a valley.
“Be happy. Not because everything is perfect. But because you choose to focus on the perfect moments.” — Anonymous
Focusing on the fragments of beauty in a broken world is a radical act of choice.
“The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.” — Eckhart Tolle
By changing our thoughts, we can change our experience of any situation.
“Happiness or unhappiness is a choice. You can choose to be miserable, or you can choose to be happy. It is all up to you.” — Unknown
A blunt reminder that we are the ones who decide the narrative of our lives.
“Sometimes the simplest recognition of life itself is enough to spark profound happiness.” — Unknown
When everything else is gone, the choice to be grateful for life remains.
“Heaven on earth is a choice you must make, not a place we must find.” — Wayne Dyer
We create our own internal paradise through the decisions we make every day.
Short Quotes on Choosing Joy
Sometimes we need a quick reminder that’s easy to remember and repeat to ourselves throughout the day. These bite-sized pieces of wisdom are perfect for those moments when you need a quick shift in perspective. For more uplifting words, explore our joy quotes that spread positivity for an instant boost.
“Happiness is a choice, a repetitive one.” — Akilnathan Logeswaran
Short and punchy, this quote highlights the ongoing nature of our decision.
“Be happy. Be bright. Be you.” — Unknown
A simple mantra for living an authentic and joyful life.
“Choose joy.” — Unknown
Two words that can change the entire course of your day.
“Happiness is a state of mind.” — Walt Disney
A reminder from the master of imagination that joy begins within.
“Choose to be happy.” — Unknown
The most direct instruction we can give ourselves.
“Joy is a choice.” — Unknown
Reminding us that joy isn’t a feeling that visits us, but a path we take.
“Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.” — Unknown
Acknowledging that choosing joy isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.
“Smile, it’s a choice.” — Unknown
The physical act of smiling can often trigger the internal choice of happiness.
“Every day is a second chance.” — Unknown
Choosing happiness is a decision we get to make again every single morning.
“Focus on the good.” — Unknown
A practical strategy for choosing joy in every situation.
“Happiness is an inside job.” — Unknown
No one else can do the work of choosing joy for you.
“Choose happy.” — Unknown
A modern, minimalist reminder of our daily agency.
“Gratitude is a choice.” — Unknown
By choosing to be thankful, we inevitably choose to be happy.
“Let your joy be non-negotiable.” — Unknown
Make the choice for happiness a fundamental part of who you are.
“Choose to shine.” — Unknown
Our internal light is a product of our decision to let it out.
Wise Words on Mindful Happiness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and choosing our response to the world around us. These deeper reflections help us understand the philosophy behind our choices. You can find more profound insights in our quotes about life and happiness to deepen your understanding of these concepts.
“Happiness in your heart is directly proportional to the quality of thoughts in your mind.” — Unknown
Our internal world is the garden, and our thoughts are the seeds we choose to plant.
“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.” — Jim Rohn
Architecting our own joy requires us to be present and intentional right now.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” — Mohandas Gandhi
Integrity is a choice that leads directly to a deep and lasting sense of peace.
“True happiness arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one’s self.” — Joseph Addison
Choosing to be your own best friend is a foundational decision for a happy life.
“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.” — Epictetus
Letting go of what we cannot control is one of the most liberating choices we can make.
“Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” — Denis Waitley
Defining happiness as an experience we choose to live makes it more accessible.
“What matters most are the simple pleasures so abundant that we can all enjoy them.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Choosing to see the extraordinary in the ordinary is a mark of true wisdom.
“The myriad things are complete in us. There is no greater joy than to reflect on ourselves and become sincere.” — Mencius
Looking inward for fulfillment rather than outward is a choice that never fails.
“Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.” — Albert Schweitzer
Choosing to forget past grievances is a vital part of maintaining current joy.
“If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows like a shadow.” — Buddha
Our intentions are the choices that determine the trajectory of our happiness.
“Knowing something is not as good as liking it. Liking something is not as good as rejoicing in it.” — Confucius
There are levels to our engagement with the world, and we can choose to rejoice.
“The secret to happiness is freedom… and the secret to freedom is courage.” — Thucydides
It takes bravery to choose to be free from the expectations of others.
“Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” — Aristotle
When we understand this, choosing happiness becomes our highest priority.
“Happiness is not an ideal of reason, but of imagination.” — Immanuel Kant
We have the power to imagine and then create the joyful life we desire.
“The ultimate happiness is wu-wei (doing nothing contrived).” — Zhuangzi
Sometimes the best choice is to stop forcing and start flowing with life.
Quotes on Choosing Positive Energy
The energy we bring into a room and the energy we allow to reside in our hearts is a choice. The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley explores how these choices impact our social connections and overall resilience. Choosing positivity isn’t about ignoring the bad, but about emphasizing the good.
“Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you’re going to live your life.” — Joel Osteen
Our attitude is the filter through which we experience every event in our lives.
“Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it.” — Albert Schweitzer
Choosing to be a source of joy for others actually increases our own happiness.
“A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.” — Unknown
The power of a positive mind to heal and transform our lives is immense.
“Happiness is not determined by what’s happening around you, but rather what’s happening inside you.” — John Spence
We can choose to be a thermostat that sets the temperature, not a thermometer that just reflects it.
“If you send out goodness from yourself, it will all come back to you multiplied ten thousand times.” — Unknown
Generosity is a choice that creates a feedback loop of happiness.
“Happiness is the secret to all beauty. There is no beauty without happiness.” — Christian Dior
Choosing to be happy is the most effective way to radiate light and attractiveness.
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” — Mother Teresa
Deciding to be a blessing to others is one of the most fulfilling choices we can make.
“The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up.” — Mark Twain
Our own joy is often found in the act of choosing to help others find theirs.
“Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul.” — Democritus
Wealth is a circumstance, but happiness is a choice of the soul.
“Positive energy is a choice. You can choose to be the light in the room.” — Unknown
We have the agency to change the atmosphere wherever we go.
“Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.” — Unknown
Choosing the content of our thoughts is the first step toward changing our reality.
“Happiness is relational; it blooms in the company of others but withers in the presence of hatred.” — Anita Krizzan
We can choose to cultivate relationships that nourish our joy.
“If you paint in your mind a picture of bright and happy expectations, you put yourself into a condition conducive to your goal.” — Norman Vincent Peale
Visualizing joy is a proactive choice that helps bring it into being.
“Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful state of mind.” — Unknown
The words we choose to speak have a profound impact on our internal state.
“Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve and desire for yourself. Give yourself peace of mind. You deserve to be happy.” — Unknown
Self-compassion is a choice that many of us struggle with but all of us need.
The Courage to Choose Happiness
It actually takes a significant amount of courage to be happy. It requires us to stand up against the pressure to be stressed, to let go of old hurts, and to stop comparing ourselves to others. Choosing happiness is a bold act of self-assertion and defiance against negativity.
“Stop giving someone else the job of making you happy.” — Joyce Meyer
Reclaiming responsibility for our own joy is an act of immense personal power.
“Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another.” — Marquis de Condorcet
Choosing to stop comparison is one of the fastest ways to reclaim your happiness.
“No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change.” — Unknown
True freedom begins with the realization that no one can force you to be miserable.
“Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and celebrating it for everything that it is.” — Mandy Hale
It takes courage to accept reality and find the beauty within it.
“I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought.” — Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Owning our choices is the first step toward true emotional maturity and joy.
“No one has the power to make you happy or unhappy unless you allow them.” — Unknown
Setting emotional boundaries is a choice that protects our inner peace.
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” — William James
We are not victims of our thoughts; we are the ones who decide which ones to keep.
“You’ve got to make a conscious choice every day to shed the old – whatever ‘the old’ means for you.” — Unknown
Letting go of the past is a daily decision that clears the space for new joy.
“Trust your own instincts, go inside, follow your heart. As I’ve learned, that’s the path to happiness.” — Lesley Ann Warren
Having the courage to follow your own internal compass is a vital choice.
“Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes.” — Charles Dickens
Being open to joy without feeling entitled to it is a beautiful way to live.
“The only way out is through.” — Robert Frost
Choosing to face our problems head-on is the only way to reach the peace on the other side.
“Happiness is a choice. You have to choose it - and you have to fight for it.” — Drew Barrymore
Sometimes choosing joy feels like a battle, but it’s the most important one you’ll ever fight.
“For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
A sobering reminder that our time is precious and our choice of emotion matters.
“The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.” — William Saroyan
There is a deep joy in knowing that you are okay, even when you aren’t perfectly happy.
“Happiness, true happiness, is an inner quality. It is a state of mind. If your mind is at peace, you are happy.” — Unknown
The ultimate choice is the pursuit of inner peace, which is the foundation of all true joy.
Uplifting Quotes About Choosing Happiness and Gratitude
Gratitude is the engine that drives happiness. When we choose to focus on what we have rather than what we lack, our entire perspective shifts. These quotes highlight the inseparable link between a thankful heart and a joyful life. Choosing gratitude is one of the most effective ways to invite more happiness into your daily experience.
“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” — Zig Ziglar
Ziglar reminds us that gratitude is a self-reinforcing cycle of positivity.
“The root of joy is gratefulness.” — David Steindl-Rast
Without a foundation of gratitude, lasting joy is impossible to build.
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” — Anonymous
This simple truth is the ultimate antidote to the constant pursuit of ‘more’.
“It is not happiness that makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy.” — David Steindl-Rast
A powerful reversal of common thinking that places the choice of gratitude first.
“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” — Amy Collette
Like a chemical reaction, gratitude transforms our internal state.
“Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices.” — Robert Braathe
We don’t need to wait for a reason to be grateful; we can choose it as a stance.
“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” — Tony Robbins
Gratitude and fear cannot occupy the same space in the human heart.
“Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.” — Aesop
Choosing to be thankful is a mark of character and emotional depth.
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” — Robert Brault
Happiness is often found in the small, everyday moments we tend to overlook.
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices in those which he has.” — Epictetus
Ancient wisdom that still holds the key to modern emotional freedom.
“The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time.” — Unknown
A practical psychological fact that we can use to shift our mood instantly.
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” — Cicero
From gratitude, all other positive choices and emotions flow naturally.
“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” — Meister Eckhart
The ultimate simplicity in choosing a grateful and joyful life.
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” — Melody Beattie
Gratitude anchors us in the present while healing the past and illuminating the future.
“Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.” — Rumi
Making gratitude a constant companion ensures a steady supply of internal joy.
Motivational Quotes for Choosing Success and Joy
Many people believe that success leads to happiness, but the truth is often the opposite. When we choose to be happy first, we bring a level of energy and creativity to our work that naturally leads to success. These quotes explore the dynamic relationship between choosing joy and achieving our highest potential.
“Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” — Dale Carnegie
Carnegie distinguishes between external achievement and internal satisfaction.
“Your success and happiness lie in you.” — Helen Keller
Despite her immense challenges, Keller understood that both were internal decisions.
“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
Choosing confidence and optimism is the first step toward any great achievement.
“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” — Helen Keller
A beautiful metaphor for choosing to focus on the positive possibilities in any situation.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt
The choice to believe in ourselves is the foundation of all success and joy.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
Choosing resilience in the face of setbacks is what ultimately leads to triumph.
“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” — Steve Jobs
Choosing authenticity is a vital part of finding true, lasting happiness.
“The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well.” — John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Finding joy and excellence in the small tasks of life leads to great results.
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” — Confucius
Choosing persistence over speed is a wiser path to both success and peace.
“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” — Winston Churchill
Maintaining our internal joy despite external circumstances is the true mark of a winner.
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” — C.S. Lewis
Choosing to see the purpose in our struggles helps us maintain a joyful perspective.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Hope is a choice that fuels our journey toward our greatest goals.
“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” — David Brinkley
Choosing to turn criticism into construction is a powerful way to protect our joy.
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” — John D. Rockefeller
Happiness often requires the courage to choose a better path, even if it’s harder.
“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” — Thomas Jefferson
Choosing effort and engagement creates the conditions for more ‘fortunate’ moments of joy.
Inspirational Quotes on Choosing Happiness Every Day
Finally, we must remember that choosing happiness is not a one-time event, but a daily practice. It’s a commitment we make to ourselves every morning when we wake up. These final quotes serve as a reminder that your joy is a journey, and every step you take in the direction of happiness is a victory.
“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert emphasizes that happiness is something we must actively pursue and protect.
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” — Charles R. Swindoll
This famous ratio highlights exactly where our power of choice lies.
“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.” — George Sand
Choosing to open our hearts to connection is the most profound path to joy.
“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” — Dalai Lama
When we accept this as our mission, every choice becomes clearer.
“Happiness is a warm puppy.” — Charles M. Schulz
A reminder that joy can be found in the simplest, most innocent parts of life.
“The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters.” — Audrey Hepburn
Hepburn’s elegant perspective places happiness at the very center of a life well-lived.
“Life is short, and it’s up to you to make it sweet.” — Sarah Louise Delany
We are the ones who decide the flavor of our own existence.
“Happiness is a well-balanced combination of love, labor, and luck.” — William Lyon Phelps
Choosing to cultivate these three areas leads to a stable and joyful life.
“The joy of life consists in the exercise of one’s energies, continual growth, constant change, the enjoyment of every new experience.” — Aleister Crowley
Choosing growth and novelty keeps our sense of happiness fresh and vibrant.
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” — Dalai Lama
Choosing kindness toward others is the most direct way to experience it ourselves.
“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” — Nathaniel Hawthorne
Sometimes the best choice is to simply be still and allow joy to find us.
“The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does.” — J.M. Barrie
Choosing to find interest and value in our current work transforms our experience.
“Independence is happiness.” — Susan B. Anthony
The freedom to make our own choices is the ultimate source of joy.
“Happiness is a form of courage.” — Holbrook Jackson
It takes strength to be happy in a world that often emphasizes the negative.
“True happiness is… to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.” — Seneca
Ending with the Stoic wisdom of choosing to be fully present and content right now.
Choosing happiness isn’t about pretending that everything is perfect. It’s about deciding that you are going to find the good, the beautiful, and the hopeful in spite of the imperfections. It’s a journey that I’m still on every single day, and I hope these quotes inspire you to take that first step toward choosing your own joy today. Remember, the power is yours.