No Bake Espresso Treat; my kind "No Bake"

Espresso Treat

Nice combination of espresso with ice cold milk and ice cubes. Great for a hot day like today. Just throw it together in a  glass, drizzle chocolate syrup on top, add a straw, grab your chair and sit outside and enjoy the day with a nice cold chocolate espresso.

Hugging verses Shaking Hands

 It's funny, I heard Robin on 91.3 Hope FM talking about an article she read about hugging. I had to laugh when I heard it because on Sunday morning I went to hug someone and in that split second I wondered "should I hug him?"
Have you ever gone to hug someone and realize how awkward their reaction was or they got a strange look on their face but you hugged them anyways?  I had that happen just the other day. I thought it was rather funny how this all came into play; the situations involving hugging and this article Robin shared. So here I am sharing a few insights I read from the same article, just in case you want to know what to do.
Look the person in the eye and great with a smile and a generous "hello, glad to see you" and speak clearly. Offer your hand out for a hand shake or an arm shake (mostly for the guys) and make sure when you give a hand shake it is a firm grip. No one likes to shake a limp hand, so shake with confidence, pump 2-3 times and release. Don't squeeze their hand too hard, you might break something or hurt their hand. Don't linger in your hand shake either and last definitely don't sneak a kiss.  This last move might be embarrassing for you both.
IF you really don't want to hug or give a hand shake, go to the next best thing "the nod." You can't ever go wrong with nodding your head with a smile of hello.
The nodding of the head reminds me of the old movie "My Fair Lady." Everyone at the dance nods their head as they pass one another. I guess in some cultures it is definitely a nice greeting.
Speaking of which, it brings a question to mind. Isn't there a culture that hugging is a sign of warmth and invite? What do you do to not offend another person's culture when you are not a hugger or a hand shaker? Get out the Lysol and the hand sanitizer?

Just food for thought.....
~ Marjorie

resource: http://www.rd.com/ "Please Don't Hug Me"

The Relationship between Forgiveness and Unconditional Love

I've been asked to give my thoughts on the relationship between forgiveness and unconditional love. So here, I am sharing what I have learned and giving my thoughts on it too.
First, I want to say that forgiveness is a choice and Jesus says to forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NLT)
To love someone unconditionally is difficult for me because my flesh gets in the way.There have been people whom loves me with all my faults, but I was thinking more of how I love them with all of their faults. I have a difficult time to love unconditionally. I know God tells us to love one another as He has first loved us, however, it has not been something that comes naturally for me. In fact, I am not the best person to talk about this.
 However, what I do know is that my parents are the best examples I have of showing unconditional love. For the most part, I can remember my parents always loving each other and us five kids. I remember one time when my mom hit my dad with a frying pan and my mom left in the car for a long time, but came back within a few hours. Still they stayed married through five children, a lot of church and social functions, and loved each other through all the good and bad times.
I askrf people who are married in todays world what the relationship between forgiveness and unconditional love looks like to them. Here are some of the replies:

"Uunconditional love is for our children not our mates; you forgive for yourself not the other person, you never forget and the condition of your love is trust." My Lovely Sister.
"Forgiveness is the teacher...#1 you allow yourself AND the offending party to move forward. #2 Unconditional love is choosing to love the offfending party in spite of the offense." ~ Lil Bro' Adam

I definitely agree with both statements. I know I love my children unconditionally. I wish they had seen me pray for them and went to church more often than we did, but when they did go it was great for them. For relationships, I am in no hurry, In fact, I am in God's boot camp again.  He is showing me scripture and changing me from the inside out. What He is doing is difficult to explain, but I can hear His voice. I don't know what He is saying, yet I know there is changes going on inside my heart.
Someone once asked me "how would you feel if Jesus said to you, I forgive you but I don't want to be around you." I know Jesus says we are to forgive others, but I haven't read were it says we have to sit down and have a meal, a conversation, or visit at all. I have  been forgiven and I know what it is to forgive. I know that there are times when I need to forgive the offense done more than once. Like Chris August said in his "Seventy Times Seven" song "I'm reaching up to pull it down." 
I have found in my journey that a person's unkind word, the tone in their voice, or their body language can be offensive. It may not be the other person's intention to hurt anyone, but it might be the way I receive it. This is the area that I know I must go to my Father God and ask for help to change my thinking.
For me, it is important to look at the way I talk to others, what I not only say but how I say things. I believe that I can only change myself to be better and not the other person.
So the relationship between forgiveness and unconditional love is.....completely opposite of each other yet they can also co-exist and it all depends on the situation at hand.

~ Marjorie

Second Chances

I called a friend today and as her phone rang, I had to laugh at myself. I know that as we walk through life we always have second chances. It is up to us to accept those second chances and do well with them or ignore those second chances and always wonder what could have been. In walking through these second chances we should reflect on what went wrong, what mistakes were made, and then chalk it on the board as "lessons learned."

I have found myself within the past year to go through MANY second chances. Now these second chances I am going to call "chapters" in my life. I don't know about you, but my book is still being written. I think God gives us second chances for many reasons. One reason I can think of is that He teaches us the first time we go through stuff and tests us on what we've learned. the next reason is He shows us what we missed the first time and the third time (or more) we go through our stuff to get it right.
I don't know why we are given so many chances to survive or experience a car accident, an operation, a relationship, or any other situation we may have gone through. As I reflect on my past, I wonder why there are some people that show up in my life after we don't talk for MONTHS and then there are other people that are in my life for a season. I don't understand why there are some situations that I go through one year and they never return compared to other situations that come across again and they stay.
Oh, I am not looking for answers, I am just thankful that my journey is beginning with a fresh new out look on life, I can reflect on  my past and choose to learn from my faults and grab onto the successes and then run with them.
You see, in 2001 I became a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. I had a lot of basement people in my life and I wanted something for me. I stayed with the company for eight years. There were times I failed and there were times I picked back up and started over again. I found I was doing things for the wrong reasons and decided to quit altogether.  Then after a year off from it, I found it in my path, in my dreams, in conversations. I decided in a moment of quiet times with my Lord Jesus to discuss it. I did and He began to open doors and situations. Now, I am on a new journey, with new goals, new desires, and a new attitude. It's not about me, it's about Him, it's about You too.
Some people may say "you have so much on your plate now, you can't do this." Yes I can. I know when to say "No thank you" and I know who to run to when I am not sure what to say "No thank you" to.
I believe in me enough to say "Yes I can" and there was a time when I didn't.
There is a song out called I Refuse by Josh Wilson; I hope you have heard it.  If God is calling me to do something I don't want to refuse Him.
I heard "the world is your oyster and you are the pearl" in my head again and this time I may be the pearl, but there are a lot of diamonds out there. I want to find them, pamper them, love on them, and allow God to take away the roughness.  "You're a diamond in the rough" is what the first person who believed in me said and now I want to find that one person that needs to know they are a diamond in the rough. If Mary Kay is the vehicle to help me get to that diamond, then I know Jesus is worthy to follow and will lead me to her.
I am thankful I am not who I was but I am ever so grateful that I am who I am today. I am under construction and I'm excited to see what happens in this new chapter in my life.

Do you have something new happening in your life? I would love for you to share it with me.
Please leave me a comment or email me.

~Marjorie

EVERYTHING

Ever known anyone that just knows how to do something? The first people that come to my mind was a  three year old who plays the piano and a five or seven year old that plays golf and both play VERY Well. Then there are others who just have some things come to them like they have been doing it forever; from working on cars to putting a radio back together after taking it apart.

This morning I was camping out in the book of Exodus and read chapter 31 verses 1-4 which says:

Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with widsom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. (NIV)

As I camped out, I began to think about this. When we believe in the great I AM, there is nothing He cannot do that He chooses to do. Think about it for a moment. We choose whom we want as our friends, we choose whom we want to smile at, give a handshake to, or even dial up and call on. We have choices because He first made choices.

YET, there is more to God. He gave His son Jesus Christ for our sins and when we accept to believe this truth, that Jesus was born of a virgin, suffered under Pontius Pilot, God resurrected Him from the dead and is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father, we receive MANY blessings and gifts.
I read this past week we become His "heirs." This means that we receive an inheritance; all that the Father owns. Doesn't God own EVERYTHING?
As a parent, I want to give my children EVERYTHING because I love them very much. Father God wants to give us everything He owns, but if He did we woul end up as spoiled brats and ungrateful.  Would you agree?
I know our days are written before we are even born, so I imagine that He knows what He is going to give us before we even knowit, before we need it, we use it, or even think about it.

I am thankful for the gifts, skills, and blessings He gives me everyday. He sends me gifts, skills, and blessings that I see and some I do not see.  Have you camped out in God's word to see what He has for you today?
Have you experienced Him this week in His word or has He given you insight to His word?
I'd love to hear from you.  Please leave me a comment and share.

May God's Light Shine In You Today!
~Marjorie

This is Jesus' Love

Live Above Hurtful Words

The Word tells us that there is power in spoken words. When we believe this to be truth, then why do we not listen to the words coming out of our mouths? 
When we believe that their is life and death in our words and they can yield a world of evil, why do we really not care what comes out of our mouths?
If negative, hurtful words ever have been or will be spoken against our friends and family or to ourselves, who shall protect us from those words? How can we be protected from those words?
With our tongue we can both praise and curse~for the Bible says out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing.
Aren't we to keep from being trapped by our own word such as judgments against others that may come back against us? We will be measured by the same measure that they use. Hurt people hurt people is true and we will be judged by own words, thoughts, and actions.
Aren't we to be sensitive to such sin, willing to confess and be forgiving; to speak positive words of blessing instead?
I recently had a friend write some pretty awful things to the world and I, in the best loving way I knew how, told her that I cannot be apart of her circle if she continues to talk in this manner. She explained that these words weren't hers. I proceeded to tell her that she needed to delete these words because it is a reflection on her.
I hope that I said that right. We can allow others to say something and we can either stand up and disagree or say nothing and assume that we do agree. You see, I did something of the same scenario recently. I chose not to say anything at all on my belief on a situation. It lead to hurting someone very special in my life. It even made me take a look at my own words and actions. I am learning, as you are probably learning, on this journey called life.
It is important for us to take notice of our words and responsibility for the outcome. I take full responsibility and asked for forgiveness from the Lord to whom I hurt the most.
Maybe that is my prayer for while; Lord may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You.

~May those who are closest to you, build you up with positive words.

Marjorie

Friendship to relationship

First in a relationship of any kind, a person is a stranger until you introduce yourself or they do and say "hello." You begin to talk with this person  over coffee, on the phone, or over a meal to ask questions and get to know one another.
What is your friendship like with those around you?
Who is/was your best friend in school?
What kind of things made you best friends?
Then time passes, the days, the weeks, the months, and then years. You change and they change. Sometimes you can still call this friend and time seems to have stand still, but none the less by now you have grown into a relationship.

You see it's the same thing with the Almighty God. He first wants your friendship. Oh, yes, He knows you, but you may not know Him yet. So begin with saying "hello." He enjoys talking with you over coffee, over a call up, or even a meal.
As your friendship grows the relationshipp grows and you begin to find out more things about Him. You might even find out about the things He did for others and how BIG He really is. Oh, don't let this scare you away. It's really quite interesting some of the things He did. I think you will like Him once you start talking to Him.
I think the best thing about God Almighty is that he is like the man in a western that is dressed in white. You know he wears the white hat, white shirt, white pants, white boots, and rides on a white horse.
This cowboy represents the good guy; that's God. The good guy is about goodness, truth, purity, holiness, reliability, and assurance. We are sure that the good guy is gonna win in the shoot out against the cowboy in black.
See right now, you might not like yourself. You may not like the way you look, act, or there's nothing at all about you that you like about yourself.  But you see, God Almighty likes you, wait, no He adores you.
He makes it possible for you to like yourself. He is a sweet talker that is honest. He is a lover of your soul that is pure, He won't lie to you, or even cheat you.
Do you have people who look at you with a rejected look? Do you have someone in your life that just does not understand you?  He knows what that is like. When you begin a friendship with God Almighty, He begins to share His Son, Jesus, with you. Now talking about LOVE. Jesus loves you so much that he gave his life for you. Do you know anyone in your world that would do that? I don't.
But hey, He loves you and do you know how much He loves you? He spread His arms wide apart saying this much. At the time you believe this and ask Jesus to be your friend and invite Him into your life, He begins to make you into a new creature. He perfects you until you are with Him in heaven. Then, living like we are truly loved gives you the freedom to try, fail, and get up to try again.
Now, how much will you trust Jesus to make you more of who you want to be?
This relationship becomes like a rose. It is sweet smelling, the thorns are the hardships we must endure, but at the end it is a sweet scent of success.
May I make a suggestion? Take a bubble bath tonight. Go home (if you're not already), get in your tub, and start talking with God. No one knows you are there, but Him. No one knows how precious you are, BUT Him. Talk to Him and start building your relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

I hope to hear how your friendship to relationship is growing.

~ Marjorie


Like rose trampled on the ground, He took the fall and thought of me above all.



God or god?

Have you read or heard someone say "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?" Before reading the book of Genesis, these names had no meaning behind them and they were just a list of names like Ahuzzath, Phicol and Jokshan.
Yet, as I continued to read the history of these men and the working of the Lord in their lives, I began to know each one a little more. Isn't that the way it is with relationships with people in our paths? How often do you know someone in passing the hallway at your job, school, or organization that you only know by name. Starting with a simple hello or ask them to meet over coffee, just to get to know that person can be very rewarding.
Moving on....
Now I am reading in the book of Exodus. I knew from school that Egyptians worshipped gods. This reality came to my mind today. So I went back to into Exodus and read how Moses asked God what his reply should be when Pharaoh asks who sent him, God replied with "I AM WHO I AM."  This kind of struck me as odd. Doesn't everyone know who the "I AM WHO I AM" is?
Well I looked up Egyptian gods and there is a long list.  Just a few to mention: Aken - ferry man  to the world, Bata - bull god, and  Geb - god of the earth, first ruler of Egypt and husband of Nut.  Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. We serve gods all day everyday and for the most part we don't realize it.
Maybe there are no names for them yet but god of electronics, god of video games, or maybe a god of fate or protection,  It's funny, if I was not willing to work with a schedule to be diligent in reading the Bible with consistency, I wouldn't get the full understand of God the Almighty. 
I can see where putting our trust in other things makes us confined to our "stuff" and in bondage to the "things" of the world. It is very constricting and sometimes down right nasty when we look back.
But now, I have more compassion for people who don't know this "I AM WHO I AM."  I want everyone to know that there are religions out there that worship not just one god with many names, but many gods with just one name.
I'm not here to judge you, but to introduce you to a Friend of mine. He is loving, kind, gentle, won't beat you with a stick,, isn't distant, or even unloving, but just the opposite. Right now He might be a stranger to you,  but if you just say hello and meet with him over coffee or maybe you need someone else that knows him to introduce you. I promise, you will enjoy His company.
So which will you choose today the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob or the god of something else that is empty?

~ Just a thought
Marjorie

A Letter For Us All

Dear Friend:

I hate meetings. I hate Higher Power. I hate anyone who has a program. To all who come in contact with me, I wish you death and I wish you suffering.

I am writing to introduce myself. I am the DISEASE OF ADDICTION. Cunning, Baffling, and powerful—That is me. I have killed millions and I am pleased. I love to catch you with the elements of surprise. I love pretending that I am your friend and lover. I have given you comfort, have I not? Wasn’t I there when you were lonely? When you wanted to die, didn’t you call me? I was there. I love to make you hurt. I love to make you cry. Better yet, I love when I make you so numb you neither hurt nor cry. You can’t feel anything at all. This is true glory. I will give you instant gratification, and all I ask of you is long-term suffering. I have been there for you always. When things were going right in your life, you invited me. You said you did not deserve these good things, and I was the only one who would agree with you. Together we were able to destroy all good things in your life.

People don’t take me seriously. They take strokes seriously, heart attacks seriously, even diabetes they take seriously. Fools they are, they don’t know that without my help these things would not be so possible.

I am such a hated disease and yet do not come uninvited. You choose to keep me in your life. Many have chosen me over reality and peace.

More than you hate me I hate all of you who have a recovery program. Your programs, your meetings, your Higher Power all weaken me and I can’t function in the manner I am accustomed to.

Now I must lie here quietly. You don’t see me, but I’m growing bigger than ever. When you only exist, I may live. When you live, I only exist. But I am here…and until we meet again…if we meet again. I wish you death and suffering.

                                               Faithfully yours,

                                          YOUR ADDICTION

Parental Love

I have begun reading the Bible on a daily basis and I keep going back to the story of Esau and Jacob. It's so common to have one parent (Isaac) love one child more (Esau) and the other parent (Rebekah) love the other child more (Jacob). As I read the story, I found that Rebekah taught Jacob to lie to his father.  When Jacob was sick, Rebekah wanted Jacob to receive the oldest son's blessing and told him to dress like Esau and go to his father's bedside; knowing Isaac couldn't see and tell which son was which. She was deceptive to her husband and child, Esau.
I think about a parent who taught her child to steal sugar packets off of restaurant tables. I think of the man, who has taught his young boy to steal a car.
I know there are reasons behind every action, but I go back to Rebekah and Isaac. Rebekah's Uncle, Laban, was one who definitely was a liar (Laban tricked Isaac to marry Leah).
It is said we behave the way we are learned.  Thinking of Rebekah and how she raised Jacob says a lot.
Please ask yourself,  if what I am teaching my children going to build a strong good character, honest conduct, or am I teaching them to steal, kill, and destroy to get what they want?

How your children turn out when they become teenagers or adults says a lot about your parenting skills than about their family history.


~ Just a thought

Marjorie

I Pledge Allegiance?

As you may, or may not, know I grew up in the church. One would think I would remember pledging allegiance to the Christian Flag. I don't remember it though. With all of the ceremonies in church services from baptizing babies to confirmation classes, I don't remember honoring the Christian Flag.
Last summer, at a local church, I was helping out in Vacation Bible School and each night before we would begin, we pledged allegiance to the flags, American and Christian. I thought, "this is odd." I started asking questions about it. I didn't feel comfortable with it. I thought "how legalistic." Now, I think I have a different point of view on the subject.
Do we forget or ignore to pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag?  Is it something that has gone out the window with the wind? Do most of our children or even members know why there is a flag of this kind next to the American flag?
I started to wonder "since people voted to have "God" taken out of the schools if, we as Christians have taken our pledge of our faith out too?" I'm not here to stir the pot, but I am curious. Is our country mixed up as it is because we the church don't put the allegiance to our faith first? Have we allowed the world to consume our everyday walk with God so much that we miss what our country was founded on?
 Please know I did a little research on the Christian flag and what it stands for.
First here is the pledge to the Christian Flag.
I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag, and to the Savior, for whose kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen and coming again, with life and liberty for all who believe.
I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands; One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and Liberty to all who repent and believe The Gospel
I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands; One brotherhood, uniting all true Christians in service and in love.
I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag and to the gospel for which it stands; One Savior, crucified, risen and coming again, with life eternal for all who believe.
Our Christian Flag. Its design came from the identity of the American Flag. The Christian cross, the most well recognized symbol for Christianity. The red color represents the blood of Jesus shed on Calvary for me and you. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the lamb who was slain to save those who believed in him as the Son of God to have everlasting life. "Through [Jesus] God reconciles himself to all things... making peace by the blood of the cross" (Colossians 1:20).
The white background is a symbol of purity and forgiveness. People who have been "washed white as snow" by the blood of Jesus and the scripture refers to clothing being white as snow, is the fullness of purity.  The white flag is also a representation of surrender as in war and our war is with sin.
The blue represents faithfulness, truth, and sincerity. The flag is not connected to any one religious denomination or church institution, it signifies the unity of all followers of Jesus Christ.
So then, why didn't I know about this flag? Was I the one placed in a corner with a dunce cap and should have known about this flag? Why is the American Flag so much more well known than the Christian Flag, if our country was born so we could have freedom to praise and worship Jesus Christ? Why do we only talk about the Christian Flag at certain ceremonies and Vacation Bible Schools? I am proud to be a Christian and I like that I have a Flag I can look upon to remind me of what God through Jesus Christ did for me.
It just made me wonder if we pledged to the Christian flag just as much or more than the American flag wouldn't that build stronger Christians as the pledge to the American Flag builds stronger Americans. Maybe if we said the Pledge to the Christian flag it would breed stronger Christians. I also wonder if prayer would have ever been taken out of schools if we would have had the Christian Flag flying beside the American Flag and a plede of allegiance would have been said to each flag every morning.

This just left me wondering and I thought I would share.  
Noone can come to the father except through the son and my flag symbolizes that.

~God Bless, Marjorie

From a Bird's Eye View

After going to the First Presbyterian Church here in Palatka, Sam and I went to see the celebration fourth of July fireworks. At first, we noticed there were lots of people at the river front and weren't too sure we were going to stay to see the sparks light the fire. As we walked back to the car to leave, we decided to sit up on the steps leaving us a  view for seeing others from two stories high. As we sat there, I pondered how this height gave us a different perspective. Being that I am a "small fry" as my nephew calls me, made me wonder what all God sees and how He sees it all.

We noticed people passing and didn't see us at all and then there were others who did look up and see us. Isn't this the same as our journey through life? We know God is there but few of us look up to Him for recognition or we look up to Him only when we are in trouble.  how many times do we not know God sees us because we don't see Him?

The light show was wonderful. There were stars of different colors, shooting stars, loud sound barrier booms, and some fireworks that made us just gaze in amazement at their design.  I think God may have been laughing at them and saying "just wait and see the sky when my son Jesus comes back."
As we were watching late comers trying to find a parking space, it made us wonder how many of us will be too late to accept Jesus and wont' have a parking spot?
Some drivers were confused as to which way they should go and other drivers were going in the wrong direction. It was a little comical, but it made us think about heaven. It really made us wonder what is going to happen when it's too late and you see your friends on the other side enjoying their new body and not burning in the fire.
There was this one parking space that was empty for a long time and drivers were passing by it and didn't see it.
This spot was a good parking space too. How many times do you think God has something good for you but you don't even acknowledge Him so that He can give it to you?

So the next time you are climbing stairs or riding in an elevator, I hope you turn and consider how your elevation changes your perspective and you think of how God is looking down on you. Most of all, I hope you will smile and look up to acknowledge His gaze upon you. He loves you just as you are; short or tall.

~God Bless
Marjorie

♫ Joy Down In My Meart ♫

Do you remember going to Vacation Bible School or somewhere on a bus and singing the song  ♪"I've got joy, joy joy,joy down in my heart." ♫  On my journey into adolescents I use to hear "happiness is a choice."
Now in my adult life I am learning there is a difference. Did you know there was a difference?
Well, if not, let me share with you what I've learned and maybe this will help you someday. If you have, please share what you know about the difference between joy and happiness.

First let's start with joy. First joy is something that is truly given by God.
You can find this in Ecclesiatis 2:26 and in Galatians we are told that it is a fruit of the Spirit. So it is something that you cannot have without God giving it to you. Joy I have found is this unexplainable emotion inside that can become so apparent in a smile or actions towards another. If I could give you a visual; I imagine joy as water in a pot, the Love of the Lord is heating it up, next the water boils and last it reaches its peak and cannot be contained. You now find yourself ready to stand up and dance, raise your hands and clap, your face shows a smile that you have no control over. Haven't you ever smiled so long that your cheeks hurt? Yes, this is the joy that I am talking about. It is deep inside your soul and it is unexplainable. As the song goes, ♫ "I've got the joy, joy, joy,joy down in my heart to stay."♪
Now for happiness. I mentioned that to be happy is a choice. You have control over being happy, sad, or even mad. This goes back to you having control over your reaction to someone else's action. Someone just hit your car from behind, you now have a choice to be mad about it or happy that noone got hurt. You can rant and rave over the fact that you have to call your insurance company (if you have one) and just deal with the situation and be happy that you don't have to pay for the cost of damages.
Being happy is a choice and it is a surface feeling. You can be happy one second and mad the next.
Anyone can be happy if they choose it, or they can receive joy which lasts a lot longer.
What do you choose today in your circumstance? I encourage you to be happy and find the good in every situation. You will have trials and the Lord tells us in James "to count it all joy when you fall into various trials."  It's not easy, but it does make the situation you are going through a lot easier to handle.
So, what song is on your heart today?

Psalm 98:4  (NKJ)
Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Romans 10:9  (NKJ)
 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

 It's this easy to accept Jesus and the benefit package he has waiting for you. 

Sing a song no matter who is listening.