A man of 92 years, short, very well-presented, and takes great care of his appearance, is moving into an old people’s home today. His wife of 70 years has recently died, 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 assistant describes his small room to him, including the curtain for the window.
‘I like it very much’, he says, with the enthusiasm of an 8-year-old boy who has just been given a new puppy.
‘Mr. Todd, you haven’t even 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 decor – rather it depends on how I decide to see it.
‘It is already decided in my mind that I like my 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.
‘Every day 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 over my life.
