What if the secret to lasting happiness isn’t hidden in perfect circumstances, dream jobs, or ideal relationships—but simply in a decision you make every single morning? Abraham Lincoln understood this profound truth when he said, “Most people are about as happy as you make up your mind to be.” This Abraham Lincoln wisdom isn’t just historical inspiration—it’s a revolutionary approach to taking control of your emotional well-being that can transform your life starting today.
Think about your happiest friends. They’re not necessarily the ones with perfect lives, unlimited money, or zero problems. They’re the people who’ve somehow learned to find joy despite challenges, who choose gratitude over complaints, and who seem to possess an inner strength that external circumstances can’t shake. They’ve discovered what Lincoln knew: happiness is fundamentally a choice.
Today, we’ll explore how this timeless principle can become your daily reality. You’ll discover why being happy as you make up your mind to be remains one of the most empowering truths ever spoken and learn actionable steps to make this wisdom your own.
The President Who Found Joy Through the Nation’s Darkest Hour
Abraham Lincoln: Master of Chosen Resilience
When Abraham Lincoln declared that people are happy as you make up your mind to be, he spoke from extraordinary personal experience. Leading the country through civil war, facing the loss of his son, and carrying the weight of a divided nation, Lincoln understood that external circumstances don’t determine internal peace.
His life embodied this philosophy. Despite facing crushing responsibilities and personal tragedies, Lincoln maintained his sense of humor, found moments of genuine joy, and approached each day with purposeful optimism. He didn’t wait for perfect conditions to choose happiness—he made that choice regardless of what surrounded him.
This Abraham Lincoln approach teaches us something revolutionary: you don’t need permission from your circumstances to be happy. You don’t need to wait for problems to disappear or dreams to come true. You simply need to decide that joy is possible right where you are.
Why Lincoln’s Simple Truth Changes Everything
“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Let’s break down why these words hold such transformative power:
- “Most people” suggests this applies to nearly everyone, not just a lucky few
- “Are about as happy” indicates a direct correlation between choice and emotional state
- “As they make up their minds to be” places the power squarely in your hands
This insight works because it eliminates victim thinking. Instead of believing happiness happens to you, you begin recognizing your incredible power to create it through conscious decision-making.
The Science Behind Choosing Your Happiness
How Your Brain Responds to Intentional Joy
Modern neuroscience confirms what Lincoln intuitively understood about being happy as you make up your mind to be. Research shows that when you consciously choose positive thoughts and perspectives, your brain undergoes remarkable changes:
Mental benefits include:
- Increased production of serotonin and dopamine—your natural happiness chemicals
- Strengthened neural pathways associated with optimism and gratitude
- Enhanced prefrontal cortex activity, improving emotional regulation
- Reduced stress hormone production, creating more inner peace
Physical advantages:
- Stronger immune system function
- Better cardiovascular health
- Improved sleep quality
- Increased energy levels throughout the day
This scientific backing proves that the Abraham Lincoln happy as you make up your mind to be principle isn’t just philosophy—it’s a practical strategy supported by decades of happiness research.
The Mindset-Reality Connection
Studies reveal something fascinating: people who believe they can influence their happiness actually become happier. This “happiness agency” creates a positive feedback loop where choosing joy makes it easier to choose joy again tomorrow.
When you embrace Lincoln’s wisdom about being happy as you make up your mind to be, you:
- Stop waiting for external validation to feel good
- Take responsibility for your emotional state
- Build resilience against life’s inevitable challenges
- Create positive momentum that compounds over time
Real-Life Champions of Chosen Happiness
Oprah Winfrey: From Trauma to Triumph Through Choice
Oprah’s transformation from childhood poverty and trauma to becoming one of the world’s most influential voices perfectly demonstrates that you can be happy as you make up your mind to be Abraham Lincoln taught. Instead of letting difficult circumstances define her joy, she made daily choices that created fulfillment.
Her happiness-building strategies include:
- Starting each day with gratitude journaling to shift focus toward abundance
- Choosing to see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning
- Using her platform to celebrate others’ successes and spread positivity
- Practicing forgiveness to free herself from past pain and resentment
Oprah proves that when you decide to be happy as you make up your mind to be, you don’t just transform your own life—you inspire countless others to do the same.
Nick Vujicic: Joy Beyond Physical Limitations
Born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic could have concluded that happiness was impossible given his physical challenges. Instead, he embodies Lincoln’s truth by choosing joy over despair, purpose over self-pity, and service over selfishness.
His approach demonstrates:
- Finding humor and laughter in everyday situations
- Focusing on abilities rather than disabilities
- Using his story to inspire millions facing their own challenges
- Building loving relationships through authentic emotional connection
Nick’s radiant happiness proves that being happy as you make up your mind to be works regardless of external limitations. His life shows that joy truly is an inside job.
Viktor Frankl: Meaning-Making in Unimaginable Circumstances
Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl discovered that even in concentration camps, humans retain the power to choose their response to circumstances. His experience validates Lincoln’s insight that people are happy as you make up your mind to be Abraham Lincoln understood.
Frankl’s wisdom includes:
- Finding purpose and meaning even in suffering
- Choosing hope over despair when facing impossible odds
- Using his psychological training to help fellow prisoners maintain sanity
- Transforming his pain into wisdom that would later help millions
His story proves that the Abraham Lincoln principle works even in humanity’s darkest moments.
Practical Steps to Make Up Your Mind for Happiness
Start Your Morning with Intentional Joy
Transform your mornings by applying the happy as you make up your mind to be philosophy from the moment you wake up:
Morning happiness rituals:
- Before checking your phone, choose three things you appreciate about your life
- Set a positive intention for how you want to feel throughout the day
- Practice deep breathing while reminding yourself that happiness is your choice
- Listen to music that lifts your spirit while getting ready
Mindset preparation:
- Replace automatic negative thoughts with chosen positive perspectives
- Focus on what you can control rather than what frustrates you
- Visualize yourself moving through the day with joy and peace
- Remember that every moment offers a fresh opportunity to choose happiness
Transform Daily Challenges with Chosen Perspectives
Your happiness doesn’t depend on having a perfect day—it depends on how you choose to interpret what happens. When you remember that you’re happy as you make up your mind to be Abraham Lincoln taught, every situation becomes workable:
At work:
- Choose to find meaning in your tasks, however small they seem
- Practice gratitude for employment when facing workplace stress
- Look for opportunities to help colleagues and create positive interactions
- Focus on learning and growth rather than just getting through the day
In relationships:
- Choose understanding over judgment when others disappoint you
- Express appreciation regularly instead of only pointing out problems
- Practice forgiveness for your own peace, not just others’ benefit
- Look for the good in people rather than focusing on their flaws
During setbacks:
- Ask “What can I learn from this?” instead of “Why me?”
- Choose problem-solving over problem-dwelling
- Find support while maintaining responsibility for your emotional response
- Remember that temporary difficulties don’t define your long-term happiness
Build Your Personal Happiness Toolkit
Create specific strategies that help you consistently choose to be happy as you make up your mind to be:
Daily choice reminders:
- Write Lincoln’s quote somewhere you’ll see it every morning
- Set phone reminders asking “What choice will I make about happiness right now?”
- Keep a happiness journal documenting moments when choosing joy paid off
- Surround yourself with people who also believe happiness is a choice
Emergency happiness strategies:
- Develop a playlist of songs that never fail to lift your spirits
- Keep photos easily accessible that make you smile every time
- Practice the “5-4-3-2-1” technique: notice 5 things you see, 4 you hear, 3 you touch, 2 you smell, 1 you taste
- Have a list of quick activities that reliably boost your mood
Overcoming Common Obstacles to Chosen Happiness
Moving Beyond “Fake It Till You Make It”
Some people resist the happy as you make up your mind to be approach because they think it means pretending everything’s fine when it’s not. True happiness choice is different from toxic positivity:
Authentic happiness includes:
- Acknowledging difficult emotions without being controlled by them
- Processing challenges while choosing how to respond to them
- Finding meaning and growth opportunities within struggles
- Balancing realism with optimism about possibilities
Healthy vs. unhealthy approaches:
- Healthy: “This is hard, and I choose to look for solutions”
- Unhealthy: “I’ll just pretend this isn’t happening”
- Healthy: “I feel sad, and I also choose to practice gratitude”
- Unhealthy: “I should always be positive no matter what”
Dealing with External Negativity
When you embrace being happy as you make up your mind to be Abraham Lincoln wisdom, you might face resistance from others stuck in victim thinking:
Strategies for maintaining your choice:
- Set boundaries with people who consistently drain your energy
- Remember that others’ moods don’t have to become your moods
- Practice compassion without absorbing others’ emotional states
- Find community with people who also choose happiness
Building supportive environments:
- Consume media that inspires rather than depresses
- Create physical spaces that support your well-being
- Choose conversations that uplift rather than constantly complain
- Be the positive influence you want to see in your relationships
Managing Setbacks and Difficult Days
Even when you understand that you can be happy as you make up your mind to be, you’ll face challenging times. Navigate these periods while maintaining your commitment to chosen joy:
During tough times:
- Allow yourself to feel difficult emotions without abandoning your happiness practice
- Look for small choices that move you toward peace rather than despair
- Reach out for support while maintaining ownership of your emotional response
- Remember that choosing happiness doesn
