You have a choice. You can be happy or not. Your call.

Are we in control of everything in life? No. Is some foreign power (higher, lower, whatever) in control of your life? No.

Some things happen to us and we don’t control that (tsunami, drone strike, born into destitute poverty). But we do have control of how we react to what happens to us. And we decide mentally if we want to be happy or not.

If you choose to see the positive things and be content, you will be happy. When you are happy and positive, you attract more of those things into your life. And more of those people who will be positive and happy with you. And improve your quality of life. So you create a virtuous cycle that reinforces your positive worldview.

If you are negative and always playing the victim: you will always be a victim. That helps nobody and hurts those around you. Don’t be surprised when the people who want to be happy cut you out of their life. Misery loves company, but only other people in misery.

You decide where you want to be on that spectrum. You decide to be miserable, pessimistic, neutral, content, optimistic or joyful. Your call.

Just know that it will affect your life in many ways. It will affect your relationships both dating and friends. It will affect what jobs you have. It will likely ultimately affect how much money you make.

I could have chosen to be miserable after I got cheated on – and I did, so I was depressed for a while. But I got over it after a kick in the butt from my father who told me to “Quit being so negative. Nobody wants to hangout with someone in a bad mood all the time. Get happy. You’ll have more friends and more fun.” He was right. He was right more often than I preferred to admit at the times. So, I got happy, moved to LA, and made friends who are happy and motivated people who make life pretty amazing.

Like attracts like. You decide what you want in your life.

You will become like the people you spend the most time with. Choose wisely.