Happiness …

We all know happiness can’t be bought or sold. And we know we can’t expect anyone to create happiness for us, right? So if you can’t buy something to make you happy and you’re supposed to make yourself happy, how is that done exactly?

Last week I was at the park with my girls and realized I haven’t swung on a swing myself since I was … well, forever—I can’t remember the last time. So I did. I could just about touch the tree branches with my toes, but each time I did, the swing would kind of free-fall for just a moment because I was swinging too high. And I was too heavy. Guess how I felt afterward?

Happy. Ecstatic, elated, exhilarated … happy.

Sometimes when I’m headed to one of our outbuilding offices at the farm (our computer guys work in the old auto machine shop, our test kitchen is in the old bunkhouse, the library is in the barn, etc.), I randomly run. As in RUN! Again, happy.

Or when something kind of hilarious happens, my first impulse is to laugh “appropriately.” Not gonna do that anymore.

Deepak Chopra says:

“Be happy for no reason, like a child. If you are happy for a reason, you’re in trouble, because that reason can be taken from you.”

In other words, I’m going to take the time to act like a child … for no apparent reason. I’m going to enjoy the littliest of things. After all, National Children’s Day is October 8, and I could use a little more happy in my life, not bought or borrowed. Next time I’m at the deli, I’m asking for the biggest pickle they have so I can laugh out loud with my kids as its juices run down my face.

  1. Terry Steinmetz says:

    I love to swing & go down slides…pure happiness. I love to walk through the fallen leaves in fall & hear them swish…pure happiness. I love to walk through mud puddles…pure happiness.

  2. Winnie Nielsen says:

    Happiness seems so challenged by the demands of working. Having to be doing the business agenda all day robs me of energy and awareness of those tiny things still possible to do that increase happiness. Why IS that so hard to do???

  3. I totally agree with the part about being happy like a child for no reason. It is so freeing and delightful, simplistic and fun. Great read. Thanks.

  4. Amy Axworthy says:

    We have talked often this summer about hanging a tire swing for our grandchildren. After reading about the joy of reaching out for the sky on a swing, I think that is going to happen this weekend! I always loved the swings on my grandfathers farm in southwestern PA. My brothers and I would race to the orchard when we arrived at the farm to be first on the swings. Such a simple, joyful time. And another wonderful memory was the big, wide porch swing, covered with puffy cushions that my mothers friend Betty had on her front porch. I think we need one of those as well. Thank you for reminding me of those wonderful moments in my life.

  5. Megan says:

    The sounds of fall make me oh so happy too! And Amy, I love your image of the porch swing! I hope you had a weekend filled with happiness and swinging on your tire swing!

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