no one can steal your happiness, unless you let them

I have been sad, angry, depressed, lost and alone, but you know what else I've been? Happy. For the longest time I questioned whether this emotion existed. I would look at people smiling and laughing and think, they must be simply mad. How could anyone possibly manage to be happy in this world full of hurt? I realized, after a lot of self reflection, that the only way people can hurt you is if you let them. If you were standing in the road and a car was coming, would you let it hit you? If you answered no, and I really hope you did, then why do you let other's words and actions hurt you? If you take the time to look at all the things you have to be thankful for and all the reasons you have to be happy, why would you let anyone take that away from you? You would'nt let them take your new iPhone would you? You have to come to the understanding that being happy is a choice and not a hard one to make; but ultimately YOU are the only one who can make that decision for yourself. When you're happier so are the people around you. When you're walking on sunshine people will be drawn to you and before you know it things will start looking up, you just have to let them.