Our decisions certainly effect our happiness, but there are so many variables outside our control that saying that "we can choose to be happy" is simplistic. It helps if we are born into an educated, loving family with a consistent income stream. We have a higher probability of finding happiness if our parents had a good relationship. We will also have a lower probability of recurrent depression if we do not experience trauma during childhood. It helps if the person we marry turns out to be the person we thought they were and are even-tempered and not mean and sullen. I can go on and on. At some point, reality and brain chemistry overwhelms our efforts ... just ask Robin Williams.
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