Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying “A man is generally about as happy as he makes up his mind to be.”  Easier said than done, right?  Today I ran 4 miles for the first time in a year.  The slowest, most glorious 4 miles of my life!  It made me realize how much joy we can get in the smallest things.  I was so happy the entire time because I now know what it feels like to not be able to run at all.  It made me think about all the times I thought if I just had (fill in the blank) I would be happier.  The truth is I have about a million little things in my life that should, and do, me happy.

And then, on the way to work, I heard this song.  Was it coincidence or divine Providence?  I’ll let you decide. They played this song in Cornerstone a few years ago when Paul preached a sermon on attitude.   So many people aren’t happy, and yet happiness is something that is completely within our control.  These lyrics always punch me in the gut when I hear them:

If you want to be somebody else

If you’re tired of fighting battles with yourself

If you want to be somebody else

Change your mind

I’m constantly fighting battles with myself, and sometimes I do want to be somebody else.  I love this song, and it’s definitely in my top 5 of all time.  And for those who are keeping score, yes, there are approximately 80 songs in my top five.

 

Change Your Mind

Sister Hazel

 

Hey, hey

Did you ever think there might be another way

To just feel better, just feel better about today

Oh, no, if you never wanna have to turn and go away

You might feel better, might feel better if you stay

Yeah, yeah

I bet you haven’t heard a word I’ve said

Yeah, yeah

You’ve had enough of all your tryin’

Just give up the state of mind you’re in

If you wanna be somebody else

If you’re tired of fighting battles with yourself

If you wanna be somebody else

Change your mind, change your mind

Hey, hey

Have you ever danced in the rain or thanked the sun

Just for shining, just for shining o’er the sea?

Oh no, you take it all in the world’s a show

And yeah, you look much better

Look much better when you glow

Yeah, yeah

I hope you’ve heard every word I’ve said

Yeah, yeah

You’ve had enough of all your tryin’

Just give up the state of mind you’re in

If you wanna be somebody else

If you’re tired of fighting battles with yourself

If you wanna be somebody else

Change your mind, change your mind

Ooh, ooh, yeah

Ooh, ooh, yeah

Hey, hey, what ya say

We both go and seize the day

‘Cause what’s your hurry

What’s your hurry anyway

Yeah, yeah

I hope you’ve heard every word I’ve said

Yeah, yeah

You’ve had enough of all your tryin’

Just give up the state of mind you’re in

If you wanna be somebody else

If you’re tired of losing battles with yourself

If you wanna be somebody else

Change your mind, change your mind

Change your mind, change your mind