Happiness

Happiness can be super big things and little tiny, seemingly inconsequential things. Happiness can happen when you least expect it, or when you are working hard toward a goal and you finally reach it.

For me, happiness happens a lot. I can be sarcastic on occasion (okay, on a LOT of occasions), but for the most part, I'm a pretty optimistic person. I try to look for the best in any given situation and roll from there. Sometimes it's really hard to find the positive in a bad situation. Those days are the sucky days and are the ones where you just thank the good Lord above that tomorrow will bring something new and you start off with a clean slate. I like being an optimist. Sometimes it pisses people off...for instance, when high five-ing someone at a water station at mile 24 of a marathon, your running buddy that is struggling may not appreciate the positivity so much. I really believe that in every bad situation, there is good.

Today, happiness started off in the form of a run. I went with my friend Lynley. It was her first day starting up and she did great. I was so proud of her! It was hot and sticky, but it felt good. Sometimes I don't mind the hot and sticky messes...it can make you feel like you really worked your ass off.

Happiness also came from meeting an acquaintance for lunch. Her son went to school with Gavin when he went to Southfield. She had previously mentioned last year that she was involved in a non-profit group that helps military families deal with the reunification process of deployments, called Camp Better America (http://www.campbetteramerica.com/). Long story short, we went to lunch and we talked about CBA and I mentioned that Barksdale OSC and ESG (Enlisted Spouses Group) are very interested in helping out and in trying to get some of our families into the camp. I think it went well. The camp is something amazing and is doing something amazing for military families from all walks of life.

Happiness also came unexpectedly from my friend Mary. I always admire her attitude toward life--kind of a balls to the wall mantra and just grab it and go! She is well traveled and definitely lives life to the fullest. She is all kinds of awesome and I always miss her. We've been friends for a long time, with our ups and downs, but mostly ups. She's definitely one of my sisters (I'm proud to say I have 5 sisters that are not marriage related or blood related--I'm a lucky gal). But I've always thought of her as awesome and someone that I kind of looked up to, even though I'm older than her. :) I said something to her in passing, and I guess it resonated with her. I had no clue, but then she mentioned it. It made me happy that I was able to say something relatively profound (even thought I really had no clue) that made someone happy.

My life is very blessed and I am very lucky. Happiness is what you make of it.