Is Happiness a Mindset?

I've read a lot about happiness lately.  It's been the topic of conversation on other blog posts, Facebook posts, and even on TV.  In these hard times, during what some are considering a time close to the great depression, happiness is hard to find sometimes.  People are stressed out about money, their careers, loss of a job, relationships and more.  So for some, or many, happiness is hard to find.  If that's what you think.
Happiness, like any other emotion, is a mindset.  It's how you look at your situation that allows you to be happy or stressed about it.  It is so easy for most of us to just dwell on the negative, but what about dwelling on the positive?  Granted, most of our first reactions to anything stressful or fearful is to think about the negative, but we need to train ourselves to change our mindset to positive.  If we sit and wallow in what is a dreary place in our minds, then how can we really get what we want out of life?  There is a quote: "Worry about tomorrow tomorrow."  What does worrying really do?  It stresses us out, makes us think up crazy scenarios that never happen, and makes us go crazy thinking about every possible horrible outcome to something that we don't know the outcome of to begin with.  Why not think about the great outcome of an unknown situation?  Why not have faith in knowing that everything will be OK?  This question is hard for so many to answer.  
Why do we worry?  Do we feel guilty if we don't worry?  I had this conversation with a great friend of mine just the other day.  She was worrying about a situation that she was dealing with regarding her family and I asked her why she was worrying.  She said it was more of a fear of the unknown then anything else.  I asked her if she thought that she was worrying because she felt like if she doesn't people may think she doesn't care as much as she actually does.  And it was like a light bulb went off in her mind.  Why do we feel the need to stress ourselves out about a situation that we don't know the outcome of instead of concentrating on the positive?  We still don't know the outcome, but if we choose to stay positive at least we don't have to deal with the consequences of unneeded stress.  The aches, the pains, the headaches, the fuzzy and unfocused mind.  Stress is damaging to our bodies and our minds.  
I've learned so much about positive thinking from my mother.  She is one of the most positive women I know.  When my husband was laid off from his job, we were unbelievably upset and extremely stressed out.  But when I spoke to my mom about it, she said that his last job was just a stepping stone to something wonderful for him and that everything happens for a reason.  She said that he is bound for something amazing and that the next company he works for is going to be exactly where he should be at that time in his life.  Now if that isn't exploding with positive vibes, I don't know what is!
Life is meant to be enjoyed.  Everyday.  When I had my son, life became a whole new ballgame for me.  I want to get the most out of each day because he's growing up so fast.  I don't want to miss anything.  I want to do more, travel more and just live a happier life.  Don't we all?  What is holding you back from living the life you're meant to live?  Are you happy with where you are in your life right now?  If you're going through a stressful time in your life, can you find a positive way to look at it?  Can you have faith in knowing that everything is going to work out well?  Are you able to think positively without a underlying negative thought in the back of your mind?  I'm looking forward to hearing from you.