Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.
Groucho Marx
MEANING OF THIS QUOTE
Every night we go to bed, it is easy to let the regrets of the past and the concerns of the future weigh down on our minds. This constant fretting can take our focus away from the small blessings of life. One such blessing is the ability to live in the present and make the most of the opportunities it has on offer. In fact, every morning, the rising sun brings with it countless possibilities to become a better version of ourselves. What we make of these possibilities ultimately defines how happy and successful we are in our lives.
THE ART OF LIVING IN THE PRESENT
Well, it obviously begins with letting go of the past and not thinking too far ahead into the future. Granted, it’s easier said than done, but the sooner you train your mind to live in the now, the faster you unlock the door to happiness.
Another key element of staying grounded in the present is to realize that you, and only you, are in charge of your emotions. In other words, the more you let external events and others affect your mood, the likelier you are to find it hard to navigate life’s trials and tribulations. People whose feelings are contingent upon certain events often end up in a hide-and-seek game with happiness, which is a particularly elusive emotion. On the other hand, people who turn inward for happiness tap into a never-ending reservoir of bliss and, consequently, success.
CONCLUSION
You cannot turn the clock back and undo the past. Likewise, there’s very little you can do about a future that has yet to materialize. All you have is this moment, the present. And if you’re ever going to be happy, the best time to do so is now.
Julius Henry “Groucho” Marx, popularly known as Groucho Marx, was an American comedian and actor. Known for his timeless quotes on the art of being happy, Marx once remarked: “Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”