you have to choose happiness

i have been reading a great book: the second in the odd thomas series by dean koontz. i read odd thomas last year -- loved it -- though, it took me over 3 months to finish because i don't have much time for reading ... i just checked out the second book, forever odd, last week and i am already digging into it.

these are the autobiographical story of a fictional young man who can see dead people -- much like unto the little boy in sixth sense. but the dead people in these books know they are dead: they are the lingering dead. they haven't moved on to the next life either for fear of it, or because they have some unfinished business in this life. quite often they desire to help uncover the causes of their deaths, though there are also those like elvis presley who stick around for some unknown yet intriguing reason.

last night i read a passage about happiness in forever odd that i really liked. so, here you go:

"i'm happy," i assured him.
for a block or so, he didn't say anything. then: "you're at peace, son. there's a big difference."
"which would be what?"
"if you're still, and if you don't hope too much, peace will come to you. it's a grace. but you have to choose happiness."
"it's that easy, is it? just choose?"
"making the decision to choose isn't always easy."
i said, "this sounds like you've been thinking too much."
"we sometimes take refuge in misery, a strange kind of comfort."
although he paused, i said nothing.
he continued: "but no matter what happens in life, happiness is there for us, waiting to be embraced."
"sir, did this come to you after three bottles of negra modelo, or was it four?"
"it must have been three. i never drink as many as four."

for some reason this really touched me. made me think alot about whether i am happy or simply at peace ...

(the third book in the series is brother odd. i'll be reading that as soon as i finish this one. i highly recommend the series. i actually kinda wish they'd make a movie out of it. the character is just so captivating.)