My Happy Place

We all have one - you know, your happy place. For some it is by the beach, for others it is in the mountains. For me it is now. Now is my happy place; today, this moment, this minute. It is not yesterday and it is not tomorrow because I have no control over tomorrow and I cannot change history. So I choose to live in the now. It hasn't alway been that way, I used to think too far ahead and look longingly to the past. While useful, that way of living didn't really bring the satisfaction I have living in nowville. Now is my happy place.

Don't get me wrong, thinking ahead is important, but not for finding true happiness. It is helpful to look ahead so you can enjoy what you are doing today. It gives me a sense of accomplishment to know I'm headed somewhere productive.

Looking back can be instructive as well. It helps me not make the same mistakes I have made in the past. I don't look to the past to rely on my present day happiness. Sure, it was fun back in the day and I have some great memories of some special times. I just don't spend a lot of time wishing for days I lived in the past. With that said, I am still sentimental about particular moments, people, places and things. They make me happy now, just as they made me happy then.

Now is it. Truth be told, it is all I got. It is really all anybody has; this moment.

Why is now so happy? Lots of reasons I suppose, but mostly because I choose to be happy. Always have, even though at times, it was very difficult. We all have the ability to be happy if we choose to be happy. Some people don't make that choice. And, yes, it is a choice.

I'm pretty simple in my ultimate desires. I want to be a good dad, a good teacher and a good man. That's it. I'm not looking to accumulate large sums of money, drive the fanciest car or live in the biggest house. I do o.k. in that regard. Comfortable is good. I could do a little better, but I don't sit around moping about what I don't have...that is not my happy place.

I see lots of people racing around trying to find their happy place. To me it looks exhausting and sort of counter productive. People seem miserable trying to be happy. That's too bad. I feel for them, but I understand we don't all have the same happy place.

Finding my happy place has been a blessing in my life. I found it early enough in life to spend a significant amount of time there enjoying the view. Everyday I get to smile. What a joy it is to know happiness!

I wished everybody could find their happy place. It would make this world a better place. The fact is, it ain't gonna happen. But that knowledge won't stop me, 'cause all I have is now and I can't waste it on those who want to wallow in pity, drama and unhealthy choices.

Being happy doesn't mean I run around all giddy (all "shits and giggles" as my dad would say). That would be crazy. I smile on the inside more often than I smile on the outside...nonetheless, I smile. Those who know me, know I am not that quick to laugh. I'm funny on the inside. I find my own private joy. I'm selfish that way, it's my happiness. That is all I can control. Other people's happiness is their deal. I can't make them happy. That is not my job.

I hope you find your happy place. I found mine.


Scott