I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be happy. You know, BIG SMILE happy.
Some of that mental exploration has come from a desire for my life to be everything it can possibly be and more. Some was spawned by a late night phone call with Tasha (the only things missing were sleeping bags, popcorn, and levitation).
Sooo, out of curiosity, I flipped open my handy dandy Dictionary of Quotations in search of thoughts on happiness. I found lots and lots of quotes from famous people but none were worthy of sharing. Every single one of them focused on happiness as an ongoing condition—essentially saying it was hopeless.
Nice, eh?
Fortunately, that’s not the happiness I’ve been thinking about. I’ve lived enough life to know that nothing is ever going to be one big wildflower-filled prairie. And as much as I hate to admit it, that’s okay. Because as enticing as the wildflowers may be, the invariable holes you step in along the way just make the good times all the more precious.
The happiness I’ve been pondering is the kind that comes from the simple pleasures in life. You know, moments that make you feel just plain happy.
Therefore, I share my list of happy things (both real and imagined) with you in the hope they make you smile the way they do for me. I also share them in the hope that maybe they’ll make you stop and ponder moments that make you happy.
So here we go.
*Clears throat*
Happiness (to me) is…
*A picnic blanket with good food and even better conversation.
*A warm hand to hold. In good times and bad times.
*True love.
*Driving down an empty country road in Missouri–sunroof open, 80’s station blaring, singing at the top of my lungs.
*Seeing pure joy on someone’s face and knowing I put it there.
*Lying on the ground and staring up at the clouds with someone who’ll dream aloud with me.
*Seeing a first-run movie in a real theater (popcorn optional/Milk Duds not).
*Being seen and treasured.
*A hug from my children.
*A holiday with lots of mouths…all talking at the same time.
*A heartfelt “thank you.”
*A tender touch.
*An unexpected surprise—the kind that makes you feel special.
*Closing my eyes and remembering my grandpa’s soft-spoken voice and my grandma’s Irish lilt.
*Sharing my love of Little House (books/old tv shows) with my daughters.
*An actual letter. The kind that becomes a treasured (and dog-earred) possession for life.
*A shot-free night.
*Being told how I’ve impacted a life without ever having to ask.
*A homemade chocolate chip cookie.
*The feel of a hand against my face.
*Hearing, “I love you, Mommy / *Laura.”
Those are some of mine. Any you’d care to share?
Hugs,
~Laura
*Happy Birthday, Jimmy. I hope your year ahead is full of magical moments and realized dreams!!! {{{{{Great Big Hug}}}}}
-
If I ever find myself needing to be in a wildflower-filled prairie in order to achieve happiness, kill me.
Thanks.
-
[…] View original here: Happiness is… […]
-
Happiness is?
Hummm. I’m more into the lower levels of the Maslovian pyramid at least this week/month.
Enough money to pay bills and buy gas and food.
Not taking any pain killers (I think this is the equivalent of a shot free night. At first I was thinking beer only? Then worried that you were in North County…)
Completing a major writing project.
Getting a gift that really says, Hey, I know you. My son got me Sleepless in Seattle, a bottle of soda and popcorn for my first birthday after I divorced his dad.
Cleaning the house with the 70’s station on. (One bad apple, come on, sing it with me….)
And Theo, I see you more at the top of some peak in the rockies dropped to do some extreme skiing rather than a prairie filled with wildflowers.
by Lynn
on September 16th, 2008 at 6:18 am
-
Hey Lynn (I’m ignoring Theo–he needs to stick with the quote writers),
Yup, you got the equivalent. LOL on thinking I meant the other kind of shots. Actually on shot nights THOSE kind of shots would be a nice diversion.
Oooohhh love the gift that says Hey I know you. For me though, I think it would be doing something that says Hey I know you.
by Laura
on September 16th, 2008 at 6:54 am
-
“*A holiday with lots of mouths…all talking at the same time.”
Come spend Thanksgiving with us. My wife’s family rents a hall every year in New Melle to hold their family holiday meal. at least 100 on a good day. AND every mouth is moving and nobody is listening.
“A family meal with all my daughters home at once is top on my list.
“That one really good shot in a round of golf.
Christmas eve with my family and my sister’s family, reminiscing about my parents.
Lynn reminds me of one:
Standing on top of a snow-covered mountain, a light snow falling, tickling your face, with that one other person that you share things with, listening to the quiet as you get ready to risk life and limb skiing down. It’s awesome to be there by yourself, but ten times better when you have someone to share it with.
Floating weightless underwater with scuba gear watching that giant green sea turtle appear from the dark below and swim right by you. The sound of your bubbles rushing out of the regulator lets you know you’re still alive and happy.
-
Thanks Laura, YOU make me happy! 18 days!
by Jim
on September 16th, 2008 at 7:16 am
-
Well, this post, for one thing, put a big grin on my face. No easy task this early in the morning.
Certain pieces of music always lift my spirits: Todd Rundgren’s “All the Children Sing.” Fountains of Wayne’s “Valley Winter Song” and “Red Dragon Tattoo.” The entire second side of “Abbey Road.” Bruce Springsteen’s “She’s the One.” The section of Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells” where the instruments come in, one by one. The choral finale of Beethoven’s Ninth. Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon’s version of “Sweet Emotion.” And, guilty pleasure time: Wilson Phillips’ “Hold On.” What can I say, I’m a sucker for close harmony female vocals.
by JDRhoades
on September 16th, 2008 at 7:19 am
-
As odd as it may sound to those lawn warriors (obsessive greenskeepers of their little plot), I always get a smile from seeing the first dandelion of the year - it means summer’s coming.
And many, many musical moments make me smile. “Ventura Highway” (America), “South City Midnight Lady & “Ukiah” (Doobie Brothers) and pretty much anything by the Moody Blues will make me happy.
And I agree - reading this blog makes me happy.
by Kate Hathway
on September 16th, 2008 at 8:08 am
-
Wait. You weren’t levitating? Because I was…..
Great post.
To me, the easiest happiness comes when you’ve figured out what you want your life to look like—big picture and small—and then make it happen. We spend so much time focused on compromise and managing expectations and being bludgeoned my outside influences that sometimes it’s really hard to be honest about what we want.
That aside, there are sure-fire things that provide happiness in an instant: good Indian food, Firefly, perfect motorcycle boots (still elusive; alas), a book that wholly seduces me, Spicy Nacho Doritos, weather like we’re having in Chicago today, Thai food that’s actually hot enough (had it once, many moons ago), rock climbing (getting to the top when I really think I won’t be able to), travel, good conversation with good friends/family.
I’m going to stop there. The rest verges on obscene.
And, and, yeah. Music. LOTS of music.
-
Happy moments, past and present:
My kids, laughing. Especially when they’re laughing at me
Autumn, and hiking through quiet woods
The anticipation of Christmas
The smell of wood smoke and time by a fire
Creek-hopping
A new-found bookstore, money in my pocket, and a full cup of coffee
An ancient building to explore
Sunlight on a cool day
Seeing friends I haven’t seen for a while
Picking my kids up from school
Charlie Brown. And too many Hanna-Barbera cartoons to count
Bing Crosby singing Silent Night, and then White Christmas
Books from grade school that are still on my shelf
Books written by friends
Elsah
Memories of the people I love, and have loved, and who love and have loved me.
An old favorite song that pops up on the radio
A scene, character, or bit of dialogue that feels true, and appears on the page like a gift
Memories of playing in my grandparents’ yard
Thoughts of all the cool people I’ll meet in Heaven
Hope and Crosby Road movies
Discovering a new friend. Hearing from an old one
An unexpected embrace
A kiss, when she means it
Hearing my daughter play clarinet, my son play piano
Surprise gifts from my mom
Fishing with my dad
Memories of popcorn and CBS prime-time holiday specials, before everything was out on DVD.
Comfortable jeans and the familiar weight of my old leather jacket
The Andrews Sisters
Sunset in the Gulf of Mexico, and the sound and smell and taste of the tide
Snorkeling with manatees
Walking through snowfall in the woods behind my parents’ house
A Christmas Carol at the Fox
Having friends who still love to play and dream and be silly, simply for the joy of it
Seeing my daughter catch a pop fly. One that I would have dropped
Hearing my son read his short story, feeling the brush of a kid’s unfettered imagination, and knowing that he’s more creative than I’ll ever be
Seeing my kids become their own people, and surprising themselves in what they can do
Hot tea on a cold, grey day
Seeing something in a different light, and feeling changed because of it; realizing that we’re more like water than stone, that my character isn’t stale or fixed…that I’m remaking myself and becoming someone new
by Joseph
on September 16th, 2008 at 11:27 am
-
Right now? This very minute? Happiness is having electricity.
And happiness always is my family.
by heather
on September 16th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
-
Will, New Melle?!?!? I can make that! Have room this year? I even volunteer to be the token listener! Love your scuba image. Makes me want to be there too.
Jim, you’re welcome. I hope your day is special.
Dusty, close female vocals, eh? I’m fairly certain Tasha and I can work up an act before Love is Murder… Not planning on going? You might want to rethink.
Kate, the one lone dandelion on a pristine lawn is kinda fun, isn’t it? 
Tasha, I was thisclose. Really. As for being honest with what we want…yeah. I’m trying to be. Just not working so well.
Joe, you had so many good ones you got me teary-eyed. My day–which had started out happy–went south just before lunch. The kinda thing that makes you wonder if you\’re ever gonna find solid ground. Anyhoo, your list helped. You mentioned an ancient building to explore. Wanna know something I’ve always wanted to explore? A lighthouse. A great big old lighthouse. I’m considering a weekend jaunt in November to fill some long awaited “want to’s” while I’m in good shape. Unfortunately, I\’m thinking Maine might be too cold then. Your list was awesome, thanks!
by laura
on September 16th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
-
Motorcycling up the road out of Eberstadt to Schloss Frankenstein, then through the woods so dark you need lights in the daytime, to Lindenfels, with a stop at a Gasthaus for a glass of May Wine - sitting under the trees looking at everything and nothing - and no particular time to be back on duty.
Germany holds some of my best (and some of my worst) memories.
Finding a new David Baldacci paperback and having time to sit down and read it, ignoring everything else in the world at the time.
Hearing Manhattan Transfer, or maybe Lambert, Hendricks & Ross (Sermonette or Centerpiece), June Christy (Across the Alley from the Alamo), the HiLos (Molly Malone) , or the Four Freshmen (just about anything). (My age is showing, I know.)
Time spent in a small club with friends, sitting in (or standing in) with the musicians, singing old songs - especially if Frank is there.
Duets with my wife on Sunday morning.
Strawberry wine. (There’s a story there, but it’s for another time)
Sitting on the deck with my laptop, iced coffee, and some books - watching the birds.
Driving the old Volvo up Route 30 in Pennsylvania towards Pittsburgh with the sunroof open and no cares at all.
North Park on July 4th.
Cats - particularly when I have a laser pointer….
MANY other things….
by Bob
on September 16th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Loading ...