I love happy people!! And I have never worried about being perceived negatively. I’m an optimistic person who is usually in a good mood. A coworker once asked me why I was always happy and I said “medication!” Which was partially true at the time, but I am generally a happy person. Even when I’m not, at work at least I try to do my part to foster a positive atmosphere by being positive. There’s enough negativity in the world. I believe part of my purpose is to shine my light brightly and spread love and joy. So I adore this song, and it’s part of my morning inspiration playlist to get me in the right frame of mind.
Yes, we get a bad rap for enjoying our lives while those around us are so convinced that it's helpful to be angry, afraid, resentful, and negative.
Being happy most of the time, I seem to annoy the sticks-in-the-mud who are busy watching the news, studying the depths of hell out there, and planning how they will be depressed. I get the whole "People need to pay attention to what's going on in this country," speech from the father-in-law. And I ask him "Why? Will my life improve if I watch the news?" And he admits that no, it won't, but at least I would know what's going on. He usually trails off in puzzled silence, and I go back to noticing that every leaf on the nearby tree is perfectly formed, and the sun feels warm, and I enjoy the rest of the day.
I know he thinks I'm being stupid for not grumping about how the world is worse than it ever was. As if that's even possible...
Hello, Tim! Thanks for sharing that. Some people just seem to be committed to grumping, don't they? I'm not sure why that is. I'm glad you don't let their vibe bring you down, but instead focus on the small things that bring you joy - perfectly formed leaves and warm sun and all the rest of the tiny delights that make a day worth living. Seems like a good strategy to me!
Being happy seemed to be forbidden from an event that overtook our family life when I was 10 years old. My grandfather died. My mother changed.
I no longer skipped, laughingly, joyous childhood innocence.
Of course, we grow up, become adults, learn the power of choice.
Yet, as ypu say, happiness remains a foreigner. Briefly entertained, because, somehow, we haven't learnt the language.
Brief glimpses of understanding leave us, and those who witness the momentary laughter, or however happiness is expressed, look askance.
I am learning, though, that being in the moment allows a deep sense of peace-tbe springboard of joy. And that beneath joy, or because of it, happiness rises.
And I smile and laugh and leave a little light that might just show others the way. That it is possible. That it is a reality.
Yes. Thank you for saying it. Sometimes it feels like it triggers guilt. How can I be happy if someone else isn’t???
But happiness is a mindset. It’s not about ignoring the world around us. It’s about seeing the solutions and power pivots in all of it and trusting the momentum that comes from joy.
At the end of the day, we are all responsible for our emotional responses. So I say, smile bigger and brighter today!
"Idiot Savant of Happiness" <-- That is priceless. Makes me think of the book (and movie, with the incomparable Peter Sellers) Being There. Have you read/seen it?
Hope your week around not-so-happy people and situations is going well!!
I love happy people!! And I have never worried about being perceived negatively. I’m an optimistic person who is usually in a good mood. A coworker once asked me why I was always happy and I said “medication!” Which was partially true at the time, but I am generally a happy person. Even when I’m not, at work at least I try to do my part to foster a positive atmosphere by being positive. There’s enough negativity in the world. I believe part of my purpose is to shine my light brightly and spread love and joy. So I adore this song, and it’s part of my morning inspiration playlist to get me in the right frame of mind.
Being happy can be a gift to those around you, and also a joyful act of rebellion against forces that would rather see us miserable. Kudos to you!
Yes, we get a bad rap for enjoying our lives while those around us are so convinced that it's helpful to be angry, afraid, resentful, and negative.
Being happy most of the time, I seem to annoy the sticks-in-the-mud who are busy watching the news, studying the depths of hell out there, and planning how they will be depressed. I get the whole "People need to pay attention to what's going on in this country," speech from the father-in-law. And I ask him "Why? Will my life improve if I watch the news?" And he admits that no, it won't, but at least I would know what's going on. He usually trails off in puzzled silence, and I go back to noticing that every leaf on the nearby tree is perfectly formed, and the sun feels warm, and I enjoy the rest of the day.
I know he thinks I'm being stupid for not grumping about how the world is worse than it ever was. As if that's even possible...
Hello, Tim! Thanks for sharing that. Some people just seem to be committed to grumping, don't they? I'm not sure why that is. I'm glad you don't let their vibe bring you down, but instead focus on the small things that bring you joy - perfectly formed leaves and warm sun and all the rest of the tiny delights that make a day worth living. Seems like a good strategy to me!
Being happy seemed to be forbidden from an event that overtook our family life when I was 10 years old. My grandfather died. My mother changed.
I no longer skipped, laughingly, joyous childhood innocence.
Of course, we grow up, become adults, learn the power of choice.
Yet, as ypu say, happiness remains a foreigner. Briefly entertained, because, somehow, we haven't learnt the language.
Brief glimpses of understanding leave us, and those who witness the momentary laughter, or however happiness is expressed, look askance.
I am learning, though, that being in the moment allows a deep sense of peace-tbe springboard of joy. And that beneath joy, or because of it, happiness rises.
And I smile and laugh and leave a little light that might just show others the way. That it is possible. That it is a reality.
Yes. Thank you for saying it. Sometimes it feels like it triggers guilt. How can I be happy if someone else isn’t???
But happiness is a mindset. It’s not about ignoring the world around us. It’s about seeing the solutions and power pivots in all of it and trusting the momentum that comes from joy.
At the end of the day, we are all responsible for our emotional responses. So I say, smile bigger and brighter today!
"the momentum that comes from joy" - I love that, Bri. There is power in joy - a power we often overlook. Here's to smiling bigger and brighter!
Absolutely. We learn from sunshine and shade. And if we are open to the entire experience, my goodness, the magic is real.
"Idiot Savant of Happiness" <-- That is priceless. Makes me think of the book (and movie, with the incomparable Peter Sellers) Being There. Have you read/seen it?
Hope your week around not-so-happy people and situations is going well!!
Good luck!