Proverbs 17:22  A joyful heart is good medicine,  But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

One  of the things I have learned to do, but only after I believed that I actually could learn how to do it, is choose to be happy and  joyful. Most adults think that they can’t control their level of joy , it is all a result of events and circumstances.  My emotions initially respond to the circumstances going on around me, and then when I recognize what emotional state I am in I can choose to change it. As I work on the self-control in me to not let my emotions be in charge of how I act, think, and talk I get better and better at doing it. Initially I choose to act happy when I feel sad, or angry, or disappointed, or bitter. As I act happy on the outside, that is I smile, be gracious to people, speak positive, edifying words, and think grateful, and happy thoughts, it only takes a few minutes before I am feeling the way I am acting. Everything is so much better when you are feeling happy, and it is so freeing to know that I am not a victim, I can choose joy.