If You're Happy and You Know
It...
Most of us are really great at
being
miserable and noticing it. Our backs ache, our feet hurt, someone was
cross with us and put us in a bad mood—there are many, many levels of
knowing you're not very pleased with life. What most of us are not
good at
is noticing—and rejoicing at—those moments when all is
well.
Little kids in Sunday school
often
sing, "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands." They all clap
their hands and sing with unbounded enthusiasm. Isn't it great that
their
genuine happiness can be expressed so freely?
Years ago there was a period of
time
when I was miserable. It was not a long period of time and I no longer
know what I thought was so terrible in my life; but I remember sitting
in
my rocking chair rocking my little boy and being depressed. Then for
some
reason I found myself analyzing how I felt and comparing it to how I
felt
a few days before. I have never forgotten the illumination that dawned
on
me. I realized I had gone through a relatively long period when I was
basically happy and content but I hadn't even thought about that
wonderful
state and I hadn't really even enjoyed it. I vowed if I ever felt
happy
again I would make the most of it. A couple of days later the tides of
time did return me to happiness and I did remember to realize
it. I
was young back then and now I'm old but I still make a fool out of
myself
enjoying my happy days. I smile, I chatter, I hum, sing and whistle
and
most of all, I'm happy and I know it.
~Betty
Killebrew
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