BE HAPPY

I have a story. It could have begun thousands of years ago, but I will begin sometime last week. Two contributing factors to the story, was a virus that was making its rounds, and the fact that I tripped on a rug that created a little catch in my back.

Friday there was a fiftieth birthday party for my Son, Matt. It sounded like a well planned and fun event. We were looking forward to it. Jamie sewed a special outfit for the event. The party was at a park {lodge}. I looked at the invitation several times and googled the park and knew its location. Twice it occurred to me to print out the invitation. I didn't.

It was an hour and a half trip to the park. We arrived on time. No one was there. We talked to two people who didn't know of any location for a party and were convinced we must have the wrong park. Despite the fact that I knew we were at the right park, I let myself be swayed by the arguments, presented by Jamie and these folks, that maybe I just got it wrong. We traveled to two other park sites and were sent on two different wild gooses chases. We went back to the original park area and looked at the neighboring buildings, we couldn't find a lodge type building.

We finally gave up and came home. Elijah was with us and he voiced the concern for all of us. He said, "We came all this way for nothing." By the time we got home we were five and one half hours in the car.

On arriving home I immediately looked up the invitation and yes, I had the right park. What I had read, but not fully registered, was that it said it was near the park, not on the park. I did read that, but I thought near was next door or at least within view. But what irked me was that the invitation had the address of the lodge. If I had printed it out, when it occurred to me, we would have found it.

 It seemed that five hours in the car had made the kink in my back a major event. I didn't feel any discomfort driving, but suddenly I had shooting pains when I turned a certain way. When sitting in a chair, I could not pick up something from the coffee table in front of me.

Friday night I couldn't find a comfortable position to sleep in. After an hour or so I got up and took four ibuprofen. Less than an hour later I took three more. They had little effect. I was in pain all night and I may have nodded off for only moments.

Saturday, we had to pick up Noah at the airport. No sleep, a bad back, and looking forward to another four hours in the car. It didn't seem like it was going to be a picnic.

Amazingly, it wasn't bad. I could sit up and drive and it was comfortable. I couldn't reach for anything but, all and all, it wasn't a bad trip. By this time I had developed strategies to avoid the pain. When getting out of a chair, if I turned slowly sidewise first, I could get up with little discomfort.

Saturday afternoon I took five ibuprofen and in the evening I had few ounces of Christian Brothers. I don't know which medication was most effective, but Saturday night I slept. I had to be very careful to lay exactly right, but I did sleep.

Sunday, the virus that Jamie was fighting off, took hold. Yet it was a beautiful day and a time to celebrate. We sat outside, first on the deck until dusk and then on the screen porch. I came in at 10:30 and Naomi and Jamie stayed out until Midnight. We had a very great time.

Again I had taken five ibuprofen in the afternoon and with the addition of a little celebratory brandy at night, I slept fine.

Monday, my back still bothered me but the strategies, I learned, kept the worst of the pain at bay. Jamie was feeling the full effects of the virus and her mood was less than optimal. We spent quite a bit of time in conversation. It was an unusual day.

Tuesday, we awoke to a brand new day! I took no medication and my back was, not only okay, it appeared to be completely cured. Jamie was still deeply amidst of a cold, but her mood was much better. It was like a curtain had risen and the bright light of day illuminated all that was good. 

I tell this story, because it could be experienced differently, by other people, and the same people, at different times, much differently depending on their attitude.

I have learned over the years that one can be happy almost all the time. I am not saying I was happy every moment of those four days. But I was happy most of the time. Even our aborted trip to the party, was a nice drive. The scenery was beautiful. The quest had its exciting moments. Disappointment is painful, but it can be put aside. It is not the end of the world. I could have believed that my back trouble would last for months; but I didn't. I knew it would be over. In fact, it was a surprise how fast it got better.

Happiness is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and the world. Our happiness allows others to be happy. Happiness allows your light to shine and bless the world. Yes, as long as we are in this world, seeming calamities will happen. Its like being on a not so pleasant ride in an amusement park; we know it will stop and we can get off. There are always moments of peace and in those moments happiness can arise.

I don't know why we had those experiences but I know they can't keep me from being happy. Sometimes we can't see what we are learning, when we go through a calamitous episode, until long after it is over. Know it is all good.

I will write more about happiness. I am learning more and more about how much a choice it is. I can be deeply into ruminating, about some alleged misfortune, and suddenly realize what I am doing, and quickly arise to a sense of well being. Sometimes things can look so hopeless and dark, that light cannot be seen. However, there is always a step that can be taken. We will discuss it. In the meantime, look for the switch and turn your light on, the world needs it.

Love and Peace,  Gregg