It's His Opinion... So what?

Today, I was scanning through different blogs and stories online- passing the time as I usually do when I have nothing else to do- when a story caught my attention. In the heading was Disney World.

Let me first admit that I'm obsessed with Disney World. Since the age of 2, I've become caught up in the theme park's magic. The nostalgia of an innocent land filled with child-like wonder could be one of the reasons this place holds a deep place in my heart. Another could be the layers of memories I have with family and friends throughout my lifetime as I've visited the many parks in this life size snow-globe (minus the snow of course). Whatever the reasons- which we will not get into right now- I am obsessed with Disney World.

Well, my obsession and the joy I experience with just the mere thought of this place was threatened by a stranger's opinion. Someone decided to write and publish an article/blog about why they would never ever take their children to Disney World. I will not go into details of their reasoning. It is not important. What is the point, though, is that this person's thoughts and criticism upset me so much I was arguing with words glowing from a computer monitor. I was three quarters of the way through before I began questioning why I was getting upset. Why was I allowing these words to effect me? Because I did not agree with them? Because I felt like the writer was narrow minded?

The writer decided to write and publish their opinion. Just as I am doing now. Those words should not have the power to steal my happiness. They cannot erase my giddiness of Disney World. They are just words.

It's amazing how someone else can disturb our happiness with just a few words. The person does not even have to be in our presence nowadays. Their words could have been said days, weeks and years ago and still effect us. The question is why? Why do we let others' opinions overshadow our happiness?

While reading that article, it was like a slow rise of agitation and frustration bubbled up inside me. It blanketed my happiness. I had to calm myself down. I had to remind myself that this is someone else's opinion and he has the right to it. Just as I have the right to disagree and move on.

Moral of the story: Just because someone has the right to their opinion, do not give them the right to disrupt our happiness. Brush it off and keep moving forward.

Guard Your Happiness

At my former workplace, my boss used to always tell us to "Guard Your Focus." There are always distractions, and obstacles and reasons for you to become unfocused. Once your focus is gone, you get off track, you don't end up finishing your workload and you do not achieve your full potential. So, it was imperative- at least there- to Guard Your Focus.

However, in a world where we are constantly being told what is wrong with us, how someone else is doing better and we are being bogged down with stress and everything- there is something more important that we need to guard. We need to guard our own happiness.

Now I'm not saying that you're going be happy every second of the day- but wouldn't it be nice to look at your life and be happy. To know there are several moments in your life- big and small- that brings a smile to your face. Does that not enrich our lives? Being happy?

Now that kind of  happiness is within reach- for only $99.99 you can be happy with just...

Sorry, I have no special serum to sell. No crystal ball to tell you you future. No gadgets, gizmos or a bag full of money. Not even an anecdote. Just a hope that as I learn to guard my happiness, maybe I can touch someone else too.