Happiness

I have recently encountered a lot of people who seem to be perpetually unhappy (not depressed which is something more clinical and severe, just generally unhappy) and it makes me wish there was something I could do, but it also makes me wonder about happiness. Some of the most joyful(happy) people I have every known were people whose lives were much harder than mine has ever been, so I often think of them when I am feeling down and it helps me gain perspective. When I was in Nepal a few years ago I met some young people who had to sneak out of their houses in order to practice their religion and when caught were beaten severely. The thing is it only made them practice their faith all the more fervently and they managed to take their joy wherever they could find it. In Guatemala I met people who by my cultural standards had almost nothing, but who were some of the most generous and friendly people I have ever met. In each case they are happy because they understand how simple happiness can be. It can be as simple as being thankful for what you do have or for the little things that matter and not worrying about what you can't control.

Perhaps what we all really need is to have our own list of favorite things like Maria in "The Sound of Music" (and it probably helps if you can sing them too). I started writing my own and if I get it to make sense I will record myself singing it and post it with this (sometimes being willing to make a fool of one's self can make not only you happy, but can be the thing which helps an unhappy friend find a way out of their own unhappiness). In the musical "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" the cast sings a song called "Happiness" and they each make a point about our ability to choose what makes us happy and to let the little things count. Charlie Brown has the best list of course: "Finding a pencil (dropped by the little red haired girl who he is so in love with that even her pencil is important to him and which means he gets to find her and give it back), two kinds of ice cream, walking hand in hand, five different crayons, being alone every now and then, morning and evening, day time and night time and anything at all that is loved by you." It seems there is wisdom to be found in song and maybe Bobby McFerrin gives us the best advice with his immortal tune:

"Don't Worry...Be Happy...

In your life expect some trouble

But when you worry
You make it double
Don't worry, be happy......
Don't worry don't do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
Don't bring everybody down like this
Don't worry, it will soon past
Whatever it is
Don't worry, be happy"

My Favorite Things

Walking in cities and hiking through forest

the song of the birds a magnificent chorus

snow covered mountains and cool flowing springs

these are a few of my favorite things

banana popsicles, creamy gelato

feeding my new infant daughter her bottle

to burst into song cause you just have to sing

these are a few of my favorite things

preaching and teaching and churches with steeples

traveling the world and meeting new people

the sound of the rain and the life that it brings

these are a few of my favorite things

when the flu hits

when my friends hurt

when I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

and then I don't feel so bad