Are You Happy?

Honestly, if I asked you right now to stop for a second, and think- Are you happy with your life?

I don't want the 'I'm counting my blessings' kind of answer. I just want a yes or no. Are you happy with your life as it is, right now?

It's hard, isn't it? My response is a "Yes, BUT".

But, I wish I was debt free.

But I hope my kids don't resent me.

But I'd like to be a better guitar player.

Whatever. There are a billion 'buts' for me.

I have a great life. A husband who thinks I'm hot. (It's a God thing for sure! Lol). Four gorgeous kids who love to spend time with me. Parents who have always been good role models and always encouraged me. Friends and Family who love me no matter what. A cozy home. A beautiful vehicle. Good health, for all of us. A regular paycheck earned by a working husband who passes it straight to me for the bills. I am free to go/say/think/believe what I want.

So yes, I am happy.

But not like I want to be.

In the last two days I've been deluged by seeing people who have so much less than I do, but who are so much happier.

A statistic regarding those with Down's Syndrome, of whom "experience a happy, productive life- something 99 percent of people with Down's Syndrome say they have."

I watched a man who'd fallen off his skateboard as a teenager and sustained a brain injury. He had difficulty speaking, and had significant physical disability as a result. He said that if it had to happen to someone, he was 'glad' that it happened to him, because he had such an amazing support system.

I heard again of orphans from Africa, who had seen terrifying things, and been abandoned or left parent-less because of ravaging diseases- they were singing with joy, and giving of themselves to encourage others.

I don't want to have to make a list so that I know I'm happy.

I want to feel the joy of my situation at all times. I want to live it. Feel it. Breathe it.

And Share it.

How am I going to accomplish this?

Practice, practice practice.

Wanna practice with me?