Happiness Is.....

I'm going to assume that most of you have heard that cheesy song about happiness being two kinds of ice cream, finding your skate key, and telling the time. Well, I was thinking about that song today and realized I don't know the rest of the words after those first three happiness...es.

As is well known throughout the world, when you don't know the words to a song, there are two solutions.

1. Stop singing and pick a song you know the words to.

2. (Which makes much more sense) Make up your own words!

So, I made up my own list of happy things to fill in the holes left by my faulty memory for lyrics.

Happiness is:

Singing your heart out and really meaning it. Carol of Joy, anyone?

Dancing when you think nobody's looking, and continuing to dance when you realize they are.

Wearing a skirt that will poof out when you twirl.

Picking sun warmed tomatoes off the vine (in the summer, obviously) and DEVOURING them!

Having someone hold their arms out for you to come to.

Sitting in front of a glowing Christmas tree.

Climbing to the top of a tree and doing the most hideous, voice-cracking, mannish Tarzan yell you can possibly muster.

Being told your Dad's overly large, plaid (plaid!) Christmas sweater looks good on you. By several people! Not the least of which being two or three very attractive young men.

Getting a slightly awkward but really excellent back massage from the (really cute) guy you sit next to in A Capella.

Playing the solo of your dreams and being complimented by dozens of admiring fans! Dozens!

Staying up late to finish a book (except when it's Devil in the White City. Don't stay up late to read that one. Read it in broad daylight. Seriously.)

Whispering and laughing with your friends while another friend does a strange, seductive dance during the baby orchestra's songs. *ahem JOHN WILSON cough cough*

Feeling terrible, then coming home and eating a full quarter of a fresh, warm, delicious, homemade apple pie and feeling much, MUCH worse. And yet somehow better!

Looking at your blog post from LAST December (shamefully close to the top...) and realizing it's not too late to amend your ways!

Sniffling loudly, which means that the mucus is finally coming out your nose instead of your throat! (Honestly. Be grateful it comes out your nose.)

Being greeted enthusiastically by a rather handsome fellow you may or may not be smitten with. *giggle*

The fact that it's nearly Christmas. That in and of itself makes everything else automatically more cheerful!

So. Let me explain. (No, there is too much. Let me sum up.) Sometimes, happiness seems like your overall well-being and accomplishment. But let's be real, if your happiness depended entirely on your general condition, we'd be happy a pitifully small percentage of our lives. Happiness can (and should!) be found in unexpected little joys. Like those listed above. Find joy in the journey, my friends! Live to dance in the rain, not simply to weather the storm!

A favorite quote of mine from Neil Peart (who is an AMAZING drummer, by the way):
"Happiness isn't a destination, it's a mode of transportation!"

The message for the day: BE HAPPY! And know that I love you.