Cheerfulness comes from your heart and your attitude toward life. It is not directly related to what you have or don’t have. That is why in some of the richest, most peaceful countries in the world, unhappiness is an epidemic. We are often surprised to see some people’s constant cheerfulness and optimism in spite of apparent hardship. This is not to say that material comfort and cheerfulness are not compatible; they are! But it is the person that makes cheerfulness possible, not the economic circumstances.

Fatherhood has great rewards

Every father knows that there are times of great pain, anguish, confusion and inadequacy, but there are other times when a father feels great, effective, satisfied and on the right track. The rewards of fatherhood are often intangible but they are real and powerful. So how can a father contribute to the cheerful atmosphere at home?

One day at a time

I once read a story of a boy called Owen, who had been born blind. His mother, Catherine, had been involved in an accident when she was three months pregnant and she had not even thought much about it until two months after Owen was born. Catherine was sitting with her baby before an open window. She held him up to the warmth of the bright sun enjoying the fresh air and the sun’s soothing rays. Then, she noticed something odd. Owen was staring directly into the sun without even blinking. He was blind. Later, the doctors diagnosed that not only could Owen not see, but he wouldn’t also be able to hold up his head, crawl, walk, speak or holding anything in his hand.

The accident during early pregnancy had affected Owen’s development. He was born with severe head damage. Joe, Owen’s dad, made a statement to the doctor, “I will take Owen home, and love him.” He did that for thirty-three years. Joe carried his son wherever he needed to go. He fed and changed him regularly. He had to turn down many jobs offers that involved working far from his home. Even as an adult, Owen was the size of a ten-year-old. He has a large head and weak legs and required constant care. He was the weakest and most helpless person. Yet when with his dad in the church, in the park or in the hospital, Owen was always cheerful and always seemed to be content and secure. After Owens funeral, a young dad asked Joe how he managed to take care of Owen for those thirty-three years. Joe paused for a moment and then replied, “it was not thirty-three years… it was one day at a time!”