The Key of Happiness

The famous columnist, Sidney Harris and his friend were buying newspapers from a newsvendor. His friend thanked him politely but instead received a cold face in return.

"This guy's attitude is really bad, isn't he?", Harries said while they moved on.
"Every time he is like this.", answered his friend.
"Then why are you so nice to him?", asked Harries.
"Why should I let him determine my behavior?"

A mature person holds his/her own key of happiness. He/she does not expect other people to make him happy, instead he/she can bring happiness to others.

Every person has a 'key of happiness' in his/her heart, but we always let other people to take control of  it.

A woman grumbles,"I'm not happy, because my husband always travels leaving me alone at home."
She puts the key of happiness into her husband's hand.

A mother says,"My children won't listen to me, this makes me mad!"
She puts the key of happiness into the hands of her children.

A man might say,"My boss does not appreciate me, therefore I'm not in a good mood."
He puts the key of happiness into his boss's hand.

A young man comes out of the stationery shop and says,"The service of the cashier is really poor, I'm really hot!"
These people make the same decision, that is, letting others to control their mood.

When we let other people to take control of our mood, we feel that we are the victims, that there is nothing that we can do, grumble and anger become our only alternative.

We start to blame people and feel that they are responsible for our misery. At this time we put the responsibility to the people around us, that they should make us happy.

It seems there is no way to control ourselves other than letting others to control us. No one would like to go near us, they even avoid us.

When a mature person holds his/her own key of happiness, he/she can bring happiness to others. If his/her mood is stable, it is then a pleasure and not a pressure to be with such people.

Where is your key of happiness? Is it inside the hand of others? Get it back fast!