Monday Motivation: Choose Happiness

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Yesterday was International Day of Happiness. I’d be lying if I told you I knew this before yesterday. I didn’t. Like many of y’all, I found out about it through social media. I was swiping left on Snapchat to change my filter, and I happened to stumble on the International Day of Happiness filter in all it’s elaborate and colorful glory. Seems like they have a special day for everything these days, but this one in particular is so necessary.

One thing I’ve learned is that happiness is neither a person, place, or thing. It’s a choice.

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We spend our entire lives striving towards this “ideal state” of lasting happiness. It’s like the promised land or heaven for us. Many of us work, day in and day out, for achievements and money and things that we hope will bring us closer to this perfect state of happy. Many of you come to LoveBrownSugar.com to be inspired through style and beauty, because ultimately looking good equates to feeling good, which makes you happy.

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Coat & Top & Pants: Fashion To Figure | Hat & Shoes: Forever 21 | Bag: GiGi New York

And I love that this outlet provides that for many of you. But I also want you to know something even deeper and more life-changing. Even without the highest heels, the latest trends or the perfect red lipstick – you can choose to be happy.

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Even though we think our outside circumstances control our happiness, they don’t. Really, we control our own happiness with how we choose to look at and digest our circumstances. . I’ve visited some very destitute neighborhoods in foreign countries and surprisingly the people inhabiting them were often enjoying life WAY more than I was. Less money, less opportunity, less technology, less everything. But still had an excitement for life that was unmistakable.

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So lovelies, I’m challenging you this week to choose happiness above everything. Take the time to examine yourself when your mood shifts from happiness to sadness or anger or frustration. Figure out the triggers and take back some of that control. And, if you have some time this week, go to Netflix and rent this film Happy, The Movie. It goes a little more in depth on what I touched on about people around the world with way less than Western standards choosing happiness and living their best lives. It was an eye-opener for me and I’m sure you’ll love it.

Photos by Augusta Sagnelli

So how do YOU choose happy on a day to day basis? Have any tips or encouragement for others? Leave it in the comment section.

Christina Brown

Lifestyle influencer and digital mompreneur Christina S. Brown is a New York native, LA resident, and the founder of LoveBrownSugar.com and BrownGirlsLove. She's an award-winning storyteller, a motivational speaker and an advocate for confident millennial black women.

1 Comment
  1. I’m ashamed to say that I had no idea there was an international day of happiness until reading this post… and I blog about happiness and success. Regardless, thanks so much for the reminder that happiness is most definitely a choice.