I’m in this weird post-vacation place. You know, that place where you still feel really good and relaxed; you’re happy; you’re not stressing about what your schedule looks like. Yet, I’m up early, waking up kids, packing lunches, driving through the school drop-off line, and taking myself to work.
This morning, as I walked through the parking garage, I saw a guy wearing plaid Bermuda’s and wheeling luggage toward the exit door. Without even thinking, the words slipped out. “It looks like you’re going to have a happier day than me!” He laughed and said it was a travel day for him.
As I continued on into the building, I pondered why I said that. Was my day not going to be happy? Of course it was! I choose to be intentionally happy every day. I look at what is going on around me and find the good, the fun, the happy. But he was wearing shorts and carrying luggage, so it was obvious to me that he was going on some sort of adventure. While his day may truly end up being happier than mine, my day is still going to be very satisfying! And thinking about that, made me laugh out loud.
After being in a Spanish speaking country for a week, I am catching myself almost saying “hola” to everyone I pass in the hall. Which makes me smile that much more and sometimes giggle as I mess up and say some mixed up form of hello/hola. Maybe I should just stop thinking about it. Maybe hola would get a response from some of those grumpy people who never say hi back! Whatever I should be saying doesn’t matter. It’s how I’m saying it – in a happy way.
I’m still blissfully aware of the vacation environment that I left just a few days ago – the heat, the humidity, the smell of the ocean, the sound of the waves. It’s all there in my mind, keeping me happy!
What is your happy today?