Why am I so happy?

[crkirby]

Beethoven's Romance for Violin in G and then in F major plays in the background.....I get up from my computer content with the sounds drifting out from the speakers and look over to my daughter, 5, who is sitting on a stool, art pad in lap, and drawing.  My youngest slowly drifts through the house, in an almost ballerina-esque way.  My oldest and I exchange smiles and we discuss how this song moves us, and makes us feel.  She tells me it makes her heart heavy, as if she has lost something great to her.  I concur. 

I move on to my daily task of sweeping and mopping the floors.  Happy.  Content.  I sway to the music of Beethoven as my broom moves across the floors.  My mop becomes a talented male dancer with whom I'm sharing the floor.  I feel my thoughts begin to flow....the wonderful process that comes anytime I put Beethoven on. 

The question today that I settle upon, is why am I so happy?  It seems that many/most people I know are unhappy, at least in some way, in their lives.  Unhappy about their life as a whole, or something like unhappy with their car/finances/yard/kids/etc.  So, why am I so radiantly happy?  Infectiously happy (according to my best friend)?

The reasoning that pops to my head the quickest is that my life far outweighs the "norm" of my life when I was growing up.  Therefor, anything that comes my way now would still leave me happy and content because it STILL beats that life.  (with the exception of my husbands/children's death).  But, surely there are just as many people who had just as traumatic/abusive pasts as I?  My husband did, however, he is just as happy and content with our life as I am.  So where does this happiness and content come from?

Perhaps my lack of religous beliefs gives me the ability to be happy in all things I do.  There is no pressure to be the "perfect" person set out by a book...it's just me that I must answer to.  I must say, that I am hard on myself.  But, no, I know of several non-believers who are unhappy with some aspects (or all).  Again I am left stumped.

Do I just have low standards for myself?  Could that be it?  I set the bar so low that anything above that leaves me feeling at peace with my life?  No.  I honestly say this is not it.  We started in a crummy 1970's trailer and I was happy there, but it was not my standard.  I was still happy though.  Happiness consumed me.  We now live in a more "my standard" home with a beautiful yard and peaceful neighborhood....and my happiness is still great.

Perhaps it is just the man I have chosen to walk this life with?  I was lucky enough to have found someone that every time I talk to them, see them, or think of them I swell with happiness.  The man I share my bed and thoughts with creates such a feeling inside me that no matter where we are, what we have, everything will be alright because I still have him (and our children).  This makes sense...but I'm sure (or maybe hopeful) that other women have found such a thing as well with their spouse? 

For now, I settle on the reasoning that I am able to see the good in all that I have.  That is what makes me happy and content no matter what we have, where we live, or how much money is our account.  I see the good things we have and focus on those.  I've always been a big believer in the idea that if you focus on the negative that is what you will get in return.  Obviously focusing on the positive rewards you with positive....or so that is how it's been working for us...even when we were struggling to make it by each month.  I still found reasons why my life was wonderful and I was still consumed with happiness.

As the symphony comes to a close, and the swells of the music drift from my speakers, I smile.  I realize that it doesn't much matter why I'm extremely happy and many others I know are not.  The point is, I am happy.  My husband is happy.  Our children are happy.  We are happy. 

Perhaps everyone should go and find at least 10 things in their life right now to be happy about.  Smile, it's infectious.  And remember, everything you have can be taken away, but they can never take your happiness. 

[BeanIrene1]

Jul. 15, 2009 at 4:20 PM

I voted this one popular. For a couple reasons. One being how well it was written. I loved the entrance to this, and I loved even more the end.

For two all you say is sooo true!

For the third reason, sometimes people are happy, but don't realize it, and I think this could just open their eyes (or mine) to understanding that happiness a little better.

Good one Chrys, really good one. I think I am going to start that list.