A wise old man

A man of 92 years, short, very well-presented who takes great care in his appearance, is moving into an old people’s home today.

His wife of 70 years has recently passed away, and he is obliged to leave his home.

After waiting several hours in the retirement home lobby, he gently smiles as he is told that his room is ready.

As he slowly walks to the elevator, using his cane, the attendant describe his small room to him, including, the sheet hung at the window which serves as a curtain.

“I love it very much,” he says, with the enthusiasm of an 8 year old boy who has just been given a new puppy.

“Sir, you haven’t seen the room yet. Hang on a moment, we are almost there.”

“That has nothing to do with it,” he replies. “Happiness is something I choose in advance whether or not I like the room does not depend on the furniture or the décor – rather it depends on how I decide to see it. It is already decided in my mind that I like the room. It is a decision I take every morning when I wake up.

“I can choose. I can spend my day in bed enumerating all the difficulties that I have with the parts of my body that no longer work very well, or I can get up and give thanks to heaven for those parts that are still in working order.

“Everyday is a gift and as long as I can open my eyes, I will focus on the new day, and all the happy memories that I have built up during my life.”

What a wise old man indeed!

Happiness is not a matter of good fortune or worldly possessions. It's a mental attitude. It comes from appreciating what we have, instead of being miserable about what we don't have. It's so simple – yet so hard for the human mind to comprehend. - Unknown

Happiness doesn't depend on what we have, but it does depend on how we feel towards what we have. We can be happy with little and miserable with much. - W. D. Hoard

A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. - Hugh Downs