Today is the International Day of Happiness. I began my day by attending church, during our services today the speaker talked about Happiness being a choice. He asked if any of the congregation ever see people in their car as they are driving, Happy? He said once in awhile you'll see a person moving and singing to the music but for the most part people tend to drive focused and not looking too happy.
While I believe we all need to be aware of our surroundings while driving, it would also do us well to smile while we are driving, put on happy music, turn and smile at the person next to you the stop sign or light. I think I will try that tomorrow and see what reaction I get. I asked him after the services if he knew today was the international day of happiness, his response was "No way?" I said "Yes, way!!" We both laughed and he loved it.
After our church meetings I went home and prepared to serve. I knelt next to my bed and asked for the spirit to be with me today. Yesterday I bought happy face cookies from Sassy's Cafe. I took cookies to share with friends and a few neighbors who have really supported and cared for me and my family over the last few years.
As I headed to the Assisted Living Home, it brought me to tears knowing today marks 730 consecutive days I have performed #happyacts for other people. I began this happy acts campaign with selfish reasons hoping it would help me get out of my own world of problems by helping another person. Well, it turns out it has helped me, it has changed me. I don't believe it is selfish any longer. Yes, it has definitely helped refine me but I no longer do it out of an obligation to myself, it has now become who I am. I have self branded myself as the happiness queen. Not a bad branding to have considering I could be called a lot worse.
Today these people were gracious and kind, they were delighted when I asked them if I could explain what the International Day of Happiness was. Then I asked them if I could read to them a few stories from the new Live Happy book by Deborah Heisz, they loved it and didn't want me to leave. I promised them I would return to visit-and I will, in fact I look forward to it.
There's a funny thing that happens when you reach an older age....you have no filter, and it seems to be acceptable. Today it brought me both to tears and laughter. One of them asked me why I 'waste' my time sharing my time with other people such as them. This question not only shocked me but it brought me to tears. I took her by the hand and told her because she is important to me. I explained how infinitely important all of them are, and the contributions they have made to life mean something to me. One laughed and told me I was crazy, this is when I laughed, the other's said "Don't mind her she doesn't understand what she's saying....." I asked them if they had family who visit with them. They all said "not really, once in awhile we see one of them." I assured each one of them how special they are, and that they have a choice each day when they wake up to be happy. They were sad to see me leave, but even more important I was sad to leave.
I spent the evening like we do every Sunday, as a family surrounded by my grandchildren, and their parents. We ate dinner and enjoyed cake from Sassy's Cafe. We made our own family Happiness Wall and I took pictures (the best we could) with my grandchildren. I loved everything about today.
0 comments:
Post a Comment