I’d Be Happy

Extracted from: Happiness In Hard

Times by Andrew Matthews
 It’s a Disaster

• Tom and Debbie are teenage lovers.

 It’s a Disaster

• Debbie get pregnant at 16 and the family is distraught.

It’s a Disaster.
 It’s a Disaster

• Debbie decided to keep the child. She quite school to raise

her son.
• The parent say, “She was such a brilliant student. It’s a
Disaster.”
 It’s a Disaster

• Tom and Debbie get married at 18. They were

unhappy, they fight.
• They family says, “It’s a Disaster.”
 It’s a Disaster

• Tom and Debbie divorce at 22. Debbie

becomes a single mum.
• All the neighbours say, “It’s a Disaster.”
 It’s a Disaster

• At 26 Debbie completes her degree in social

work. She decides her mission is to help teenage
mothers. She gets a job with a government
agency and travels the country giving support and
inspiration to young girls.
 It’s a Disaster

• Her son turns out to be the light of her life and

her grandparent’s pride and joy.
 It’s a Disaster

• At 28, Debbie marries the man of her dreams.

 It’s a Disaster

• Debbie now has a beautiful son, a meaningful

job, a loving husband and a strong relationship
with her parents.
 Quick Quiz
• Which bit was the disaster?
– Was it having the baby that become the joy of her
life?
– Was it the postponing her education to study
something that she really cared about?
– Was it her first marriage that taught her what
really matters in a relationship?
 Conclusion
• Real life often is – A steady progress.
• Progress happens in a small steps.
• Look for good thing, focus on the present and
do what you can do today!