Excerpt: Joel Osteen's 'Every Day a Friday'

Sept. 14, 2011 -- Want every day to have that five o'clock on Friday feeling?

Joel Osteen, pastor of the largest megachurch in the United States, tackles how to be happier seven days a week in his new book, "Every Day a Friday."

Osteen's keep-things-simple approach -- preaching about hope, happiness and prosperity -- has drawn millions of people to his televised sermons each week, and filled stadiums around the country.

"Our message is about the goodness of God," Osteen told ABC News. "It seems just that people come alive when they realize God is for me, he's got a plan for my life and I can do something great. I can be who he wants me to be."

From Scripture and life, Osteen shares principles for happiness. "Jesus talked about everyday life, not just doctrine but how do we live, how do we forgive. How do we keep a good attitude when the economy is down," he said.

Read an excerpt from "Every Day a Friday" below, then check out some other books in the "GMA" library.

Make Every Day a Friday

John was ninety two years old and blind, but he was just as sharp as could be when his wife, Eleanor, went to the Lord. He didn't feel he should live alone, so John decided to move into a nice seniors' home. On the morning of the move, he was up and fully dressed by 8:00 a.m. As always, the elderly gentleman looked impeccable, with his hair perfectly combed and his face neatly shaven.

A cab picked him up and took him to the seniors' home. John arrived early, as was his habit, and waited more than an hour before a young aide, Miranda, came to show him to his new room. As John maneuvered his walker through the hallways, Miranda described his room in great detail. She said sunlight came in through a big window, and there was a comfortable couch, and a nice desk area.

Right in the middle of her description, John interrupted her and said, "I love it. I love it. I love it."

Miranda laughed and said, "Sir, we're not there yet. You haven't seen it. Hold on just a minute, and I'll show it to you."

John said, "No, you don't have to show it to me. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged. It depends on how my mind is arranged. Happiness is something you decide ahead of time."

As wise old John understood, happiness is a choice. When you wake up in the morning Happiness is a choice. you can choose what kind of day you want to have. You can choose to be in a good mood, or you can choose to be in a bad mood.

means Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and every other day of the week. You can be happy even when it's raining, when you have to work late, or when you have to do the dishes.

Why don't you make up your mind to be happy every day? You've heard the saying "TGIF. Thank God it's Friday." For you and me it also should be, "TGIM. Thank God it's Monday."

"TGIW. Thank God it's Wednesday."

"TGIS. Thank God it's Sunday."

Another study said there are more heart attacks on Monday than on any other day. So many people just decide that Monday is a stressed out day. They suffer the Monday morning blues.

When you wake up on Monday morning, don't accept those negative thoughts that come knocking on your door, saying, It will be a hard day and a long week. Traffic will be bad. I have so much work to do. I just need to make it through the Monday morning blues. Don't buy into those thoughts.

Instead, say, "Thanks, but no thanks. I've already answered the door and almighty God, the Creator of the universe, has sent me a hand deliv¬ery of joy. I know this will be a great day!"

Decide that for you, there are no Monday morning blues. Instead, choose the Monday morning dos by saying, "I do have a smile. I do have joy. I do have God's favor. I do have victory."

Yes, I know some days are more difficult than others. But if you pro¬gram your mind in a positive way, you won't have to drag through certain days just hoping to get to Friday so you can finally enjoy life.

Faith is always in the present. Your attitude should be: I'm excited to be alive at this moment. I'm excited to be breathing today. I'm excited about my family, my health, and my opportunities. I have plenty of reasons to be happy right now.