The Freedom to Choose Happiness
By Chuck Nix
Nina Simone sang and spoke about freedom in the most poetic ways, and it makes me happy to hear her music. I thank God for the abundant freedoms I have access to. In the US, we are fortunate to have the freedom of speech and the ability to pray as we choose. I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, who, through our Heavenly Father, gives us the gift of free will. While we are commanded to repent for our sins, we still have the freedom to choose our actions, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis.
I live in the South, where many states are “at-will” employment states, meaning employers can hire and fire without needing to justify their decisions. I cherish the freedoms I have, including one that often goes unspoken: the freedom to choose happiness.
Oftentimes, probably too often, happiness is seen as something external or dependent on material things—things we don’t always have or control. This mindset suggests that if something I don’t have makes me happy, then I cannot experience happiness without it. I believe happiness is a choice, a daily choice, independent of our circumstances or possessions. Our perspective shapes how we experience life, and the intangible things that bring joy, like serving others, are often more fulfilling than material possessions.
“I believe happiness is a choice, a daily choice, independent of our circumstances or possessions. ”
For example, I find joy in making others happy and experience a sense of fulfillment in giving.
One of my favorite scriptures is Luke 22:27, where Jesus, in response to a question about greatness, says, “Who is greater, the one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? … Yet I am among you as the one who serves.” In this, Jesus teaches that true greatness comes through service, and I try to embody this servant-leader attitude in my life. It gives me peace during challenging times, whether I’m dealing with difficult shifts at work or the everyday struggles of parenting.
Choosing to be happy, even during trials, makes the effort worth it. Frustration is draining, and happier people are more productive. This is why I love the hospitality industry—it allows me to give of myself in a way that material things never could. Wine, for example, brings people together, and in doing so, it gives me more opportunities to serve others in a Christ-like way. Being a sommelier isn’t about self-service; it’s about giving. I pray that, even in difficult times, my choice to stay positive will be rewarded in God’s timing.
One of my greatest inspirations is Booker Wright, a man who endured immense hardship as a Black man in Jim Crow-era Mississippi. As a server at Lusco’s Restaurant, Booker was terrorized by the Ku Klux Klan but used his freedom of speech to speak out against his mistreatment. Tragically, he was killed for it. Despite the adversity he faced, Booker maintained his dignity and reminded us, “Through it all, you gotta keep that smile.”
Jesus, too, faced unimaginable suffering yet remained positive in the face of crucifixion. If they could choose to be joyful in the most dire circumstances, who am I to complain about serving others? I am blessed with the gift of service, and I am proud to use it to make a difference.
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