Such a simple thing to do – love life. Ha! Not so easy at all. It’s far easier to bitch and complain sorry about the swear word – it popped on the screen before I could catch it. It could be that I live in a city or a country for that matter that prides itself on being humble. Sadly being humble requires never smiling for too long. It makes people uncomfortable. ‘What’s she so happy about?’ Said with a bit of a cranky edge to the voice!
It’s always been of a problem for me. You see, I have a big smile and it lingers longer than it should. Maybe it’s because I have big teeth. It’s hard to keep them covered!
I’m kidding. Of course.
The truth of the matter is loving life is a choice. No one is without pain. Pain gets doled out at different decimal levels, at different times and we cope. For me, the key to being able to love my life despite the sorrow or disappointments is celebrating not being the centre of the universe. Everything that happens in my life touches the people around me. We are sharing this journey. Shouldering the weight of our collective lives lessens the hardships and gives me the strength and courage to smile during difficult times. It also heightens the joy.
All this because I walked by someone on the street yesterday and smiled.
She said, “What are you so happy about?”
“I love my life.”
She looked puzzled and asked, “why?”
I couldn’t answer her with a quick explanation and she had no interest in having a conversation. She’ll never see this post but I needed to figure it out…
Thanks for reading.
21 comments
Wow. Her response was so sad. I described myself as having a joyous life once and received a similiar response. Sure there’s lots of un-joyous stuff mixed in but what would be the point in celebrating that?
It kind of stopped me in my tracks for which is why I had a hard time explaining myself…
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Thank you for reading!
Great perspective! I love life too! I believe happiness is a choice and I choose to be happy. I might get knocked down every now and again but I have so much to be grateful for that I always dust myself off and smile!
Exactly!
Thanks for sharing another insightful post! I too have come across many people that are perpetually angry with the world. I honestly don’t get it. Much like you said, we all have bad days but they get outweighed by the many good days! All we can do is roll with the punches and anticipate the better times ahead. With that said, my wife and I eagerly anticipate your next post
We love hearing about new recipes and we love hearing about the farm. But more than anything, we love hearing about Fynnigan…so cute! And of course it goes without saying, we love love love Italian by Night! Delizioso 
We launched the summer menu tonight at Italian by Night – to happy reviews! I leave tomorrow for the farm so I’ll have lots to share in the coming weeks…
Enjoyed this post as I have been “accused” of smiling too much over the years even a five year old has told me this (perhaps some people are born that way). I would have been stumped too if a friendly smile was greeted the way yours was
Just started following your blog – it’s lovely! Enjoyed making the Ciabatta bread, although mine was more uniform in shape and not as sticky. I kneaded by hand so perhaps that was the difference. Delicious none the less.
You’re absolutely right – hand kneading makes all the difference in the world! Thank you for reading…
That’s a beautiful pic of you and your grandmother! As for the other – bah humbug.
miss you…
It takes a long time to accept who we are really are sometimes. Once we do, we can then be happy. You are one of those who spends more time accepting your life rather than resisting it. Let’s hope your acquaintance ‘gets it’ one day. Until then – compassion all around
So nice to hear from you Jay! Hope you have a wonderful summer. If we’re down your way, we’ll stop by! xoxo
Oh Michelle, thank you so much for sharing. Who knows what troubles they may be dealing with. With no joy in their lives they try to snatch yours away. But don’t you ever let them take it from you…not ever. Hold on tight and keep spreading the joy!
so true…
Great reading your thoughts – thanks for sharing! A I read, I wondered what recipe would appear but alas the recipe is life.
You are so right in being at harmony with your happiness. There are lots of things that happen in our lives and we may have no control of many but we always have control of our attitudes towards whatever is happening. Choosing to be happy (and it is a choice) makes our lives that much better!
Hi Wayne, so nice to hear from you! Hope you and Ross are planning a visit to the farm this summer…xo
Yes! I am much the same…irrepressible most of the time. And as I have “matured” I realize that even the hard times in life have their uses…certainly makes me appreciative of all the good that I experience, and the joy of family and friends. Good for you that you smile! ~ Sheila
Michelle,
You are right on the money! I tell people that God designed human beings to be “joy manufacturing plants”. If you don’t strive to be happy how can you find meaning in life (or even in your own self) at all?
Maybe I’m fooling myself, but I kind of think most folks like it when I smile at them (and I smile pretty much all the time.)
Peace,
Paul
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Much Appreciated!