The Happiness Trail to Enjoy Life

"Happiness is not a matter of events, 

it depends upon the tides of the mind"
- Alice Meynell, 1847-1922 

We all go through things that can put a damper on our day and perhaps week. But I definitely do not want to be the lonesome bag lady in the woods, carrying so much baggage that everyone else can see it in my growling, animalesque attitude.

This brand new week, is a great week to decide to focus on the good. Here a few things to think about that might make you smile just a little bit.

• Actress Viola Davis was honored with a Hollywood star. I loved her in the movie "The Help," and since I started watching her in her leading role on "HTGAWM,"  I love her as an actress. Awesome news to smile about! 
• Today is national take the stairs day. Thank God that we are able to take the stairs when the elevators are not working because we have well and able legs that can transport us from one floor to the next. 
• Next Monday is Martin Luther King Jr day which means many of us can look forward to a long weekend and for those who will have to work, it means a not so crowded road, bus or train which also means an empty seat will be available going to and from work.
• I have life-bearing drinking water readily available to me to drink and to keep me hydrated, when needed.
• Nothing in this world is free but I woke up and breathed in free oxygen that I did not have to pay for and light from the sun that will brighten the day God created for me to live. 

Enjoy Life

"But words are things, and a small drop of ink, 

falling like dew upon a thought, 

produces that which makes thousands, 

perhaps millions, think."

- Aubrey Thomas de Vere, 1814-1902

A few years back, I was returning home from a musical event that I was singing at, with tired eyes. I thought I was okay to drive and got on the road and made it to my exit on the highway and then it happened. 

At my exit there is a fork in the road, so I turned my head slightly to see if any cars were coming from the left side and while turning my head back to look before me, my eyes closed for just a second. Next thing I know, my car was smashed into a truck. The truck ripped into the metal right before me and if it had teared into it any further, it would have cut my head off. 

My eyes opened to the shock of the crash. I am still amazed that I was able to walk out of the car with no scratches and a story to tell. 

I was so depressed the day after that happened that I wanted to just stay draped under my covers crying about all the crazy things that  could have happened due to my falling asleep behind the wheel, but family and friends would not allow it. They made sure to help to keep me sane and to try to get me to see the good side of the bad situation. They made me see that even though something bad happened that came with a series of other things I would have to deal with due to my accident, that I could still enjoy the good things in life, as opposed to dwelling on what happened that I would not be able to change. It happened. Things happen. Forrest Gump said it best, "Shit happens!" And then you must move past it.

This story is in short to say that even though we may have stories, dead beat mates, family problems, issues, baggage, bills, jobs, weight on our shoulders, etc., but we still have a life to live. We can either dwell on our issues all day and spend it without a smile or we can balance our emotions by keeping those issues in the back of our minds while also enjoying the beautiful things that life has to offer, and smile about them.

I wrote a song that talks about the balancing of life and life's issues entitled, "Enjoy Life." Lyrics by Stephanie Jeannot. Music by Mike LeShore. Please take the time to listen to the song here: https://youtu.be/qPCvcQLGd2o

"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, 
but a manner of traveling."

- Margaret Lee Runbeck, 1905-1956

Don't worry. 

I drink more coffee now than the sink at a 10PM closing of Starbucks, 

after a fresh pot was made for the one customer (probably me)  

dying for a Venti Pike, 

so my energy nowadays behind the wheel has me traveling much lighter,

 minus the fear of something like that happening again. 

Plus I take naps and I'm not ashamed to admit that. Now there's something else to smile about!