Happiness

It was Monday. A holiday. And I didn't like what I was feeling. I cried. But I had to stop those tears from falling. I don't want to cry anymore. Why would I, I asked myself. I was looking for a book to read so I can take my mind off that feeling. And since most of the books I have at home tell stories of broken hearts and broken dreams, I digressed.

Instead, I started browsing the saved messages in my phone and found this: "The worthwhile and important things in life - wisdom and happiness in particular - are simply not the sorts of things one can chase after and grab. They are instead the sorts of things that come to us where we are, if we let them - if we stop trying too hard and just let things happen as they need to (saved August 15, 2010)." The last words struck me the most. Maybe I am just trying too hard. Maybe I should just let things happen as they need to. But then again, maybe it's never going to happen. I became more distraught after having read that passage. Because frankly, I do not know what to do anymore.

I have always told friends that happiness is a choice. I have always believed in this. But recently, those words have lost all their meaning to me. Is it too much to ask that I be happy too? I don't want to be lost, again.

A friend of mine sent me an e-mail last week and I only got to read it yesterday. What a perfect timing. I am sharing it with you guys. Here it is.

Effective Immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10 guidelines:

1. QUIT WORRYING:

Life has dealt you a blow and all

you do is sit and worry.

Have you forgotten that I am here to

take all your burdens

and carry them for you? Or do you

just enjoy fretting over

every little thing that comes your

way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:

Something needs done or taken care of.

Put it on the list.

No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-

list. Let ME be the one

to take care of the problem. I can't help

you until you turn

it over to Me. And although My to-do-list

is long, I am after

all...God. I can take care of anything you

put into My hands.

In fact, if the truth were ever really

known, I take care of a

lot of things for you that you never even

realize.

3. TRUST ME:

Once you've given your

burdens to Me, quit trying

to take

them back. Trust in Me.

Have the faith that I will

take care

of all your needs, your

problems and your trials.

Problems

with the kids? Put them on

My list. Problem with

finances?

Put it on My list. Problems

with your emotional roller

coaster?

For My sake, put it on My

list. I want to help you.

All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE:

Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much

stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you

think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me

your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your

strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I

give you these problems back, you will be right back where

you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them.

Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME:

I want you to forget a lot of things.

Forget what was making

you crazy. Forget the worry and the

fretting because you

know I'm in control. But there's one

thing I pray you never

forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me

- OFTEN! I love YOU!

I want to hear your voice. I want you to

include Me in on the

things going on in your life. I want t

hear you talk about your

friends and family. Prayer is simply you

having a conversation

with Me. I want to be your dearest

friend.

6. HAVE FAITH:

I see a lot of things from up here that you can't

see from

where you are. Have faith in Me that I know

what I'm doing.

Trust Me, you wouldn't want the view from My

eyes. I will

continue to care for you, watch over you, and

meet your needs.

You only have to trust Me. Although I have a

much bigger task

than you, it seems as if you have so much

trouble just doing your simple part. How hard

can trust be?

7. SHARE:

You were taught to share when you were only two years old.

When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those

who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who

haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with

those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with

those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT:

I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many

diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have

children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to

so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much.

How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer

than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in

My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the

entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always

rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND:

Be kind to others, for I love them

just as much as I love you.

They may not dress like you, or

talk like you, or live the same

way you do, but I still love you

all. Please try to get along,

for My sake. I created each of

you different in some way. It

would be too boring if you were

all identical.

10. LOVE YOURSELF:

As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself?

You were created by me for one reason only

-- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love.

Love Me.

Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart

ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong.

You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget......