How hitting bottom helped me choose happiness

Juli Ghazi, 43, is founder and owner of Pure Pizza at uptown’s 7th Street Market and a second location at 1911 Central Ave.

I’m in recovery from alcohol addiction where I hit bottom right before my 40th birthday and at the same time I opened my first location.

This has been the most difficult challenge to overcome in my life. I had a choice to make from losing everything from my daughter, business, family and friends or entering into treatment. I chose treatment.

I learned I have to take care of myself. Make time every day for exercise, for a nap, for the things that are really important, time for your family. Everything else will still get done.

Looking back, I’d congratulate my 20-year-old self on living without limitations. I’d tell her don’t lose that sense of wonder and awe. Never let anybody tell you that you can’t do something.

If you envision a goal there is a way to get there. You can have a rich, full life independent of being in a relationship.

Happiness is a choice. Each moment of each day, you get the opportunity to choose whether or not to be happy. I always thought it just happened. It really is a conscious choice.

This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 10:10 AM with the headline "How hitting bottom helped me choose happiness."