Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth...with a post-script...

NOTE:  I don't know if this is a preface....  Is that what is written to begin a piece after the piece is written?  A post-script?  Can a post-script come at the beginning???  Can you tell I'm stalling?  I wrote this bit Saturday afternoon...right after a good work-out, while teasing my daughter, flirting with my B, genuinely happy, looking forward, smiling...planning to proof and post a little later after letting things "take" a minute.  Then, there were killings in France.  Little girls used as suicide bombers in Nigeria by Boko Haram.  Folks I've had direct correspondence with are not doing well.  Dear ones face February....though they seem strong.  Children lose their beautiful mom to melanoma.  Those near and dear suffer from the senseless spite and meanness of others.  I am not so happy at just this minute. I almost decided not to post it, lest it appear unseemly listed along side those who are so gravely suffering. Fearing it will not ring true since I am no longer really in the mood.  After thinking about it all day, I decided.  NOPE.  I will post it.  It may be even more important NOW.  I am NOT always happy.  One would have to be decidedly unhinged to be so.  However, I think those moments of joy and release that we all so need and deserve in our lives, are much more easily attained and appreciated when granted, if we actually think about happiness.  Specifically examine what it is that makes us happy.  Unless we do, I fear we will not seek it, nor recognize its full beauty when it comes.  So....for all of you who had a wonderful, iridescent floating bubble of a day...ENJOY!!!  Dance in your underwear like you just don't care!!!  It makes me smile to picture it!  For those of you dealing with hurt and loneliness, a heart torn right in two, with impossible anguish and fear...tears are in my eyes for you.  I would do ANYTHING to fix it, to take away your pain...but I cannot.  I can only offer this....
 
"It might seem crazy what I'm about to say!"  But, when this song comes on as the last one playing during your workout - you know it's a good day.  "Clap along if you know what happiness is to you!"

Pharrell Williams - Happy 

What IS happiness to you?  For me happiness is....

The right song at the right time.

Babies who coo and giggle.

Children who haven't learned to be embarrassed and fear sharing their hopes and dreams.

Adults who refuse to be embarrassed and fear sharing their hopes and dreams.

Laughing like a hyena...often without being able to explain what was so funny.

When the words get it right.

When I think, maybe, I did some good.

When those who know me still like me.

When those who say they know me....REALLY do.

A happy accident of a recipe...eggplant involtini as a layered, baked masterpiece!

Holding my own with the smartest peeps I know!

ESPN! (No...not THAT one!!)

Going for it...no holds barred.

Dancing!  The more participants and the loonier the better.

Singing!

Driving to the next adventure.

When all my friends automatically pass the gravy and mashed potatoes down to me!

The sound of a mountain stream as it rushes to a suddenly quiet and reflective pool.

Moss and fairies.

Herbs and flowers.

When running feels free.

When someone does something wise, generous, fine, and important....and they didn't have to.

And finally....amazing, beautiful, collisions....of friends...who have never met, who know your heart, and while in the midst (RIGHT HERE!!!  In the slap-dab MIDST, I TELL YOU!!!!) of writing this very post...Roo comes rushing in....wearing....HAPPINESS!

Thanks Jeanne and Kidlet!  You have no idea...but then again, you probably do....how happy an owl hat can make someone!!!  Much love to you both!!! Peace and love to all of you. - c

Happy

Song by Pharrell Williams

It might seem crazy what I'm about to say
Sunshine she's here, you can take away
I'm a hot air balloon, I could go to space
With the air, like I don't care baby by the way

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got, don't hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I'll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you don't waste your time
Here's why

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along…