Happiness

Happiness has been on my mind these last few days, likely because December finds some I know riding the roller coaster that is the dark magic of Christmas. I can't quite let go of wanting to do something for those friends who fall into a funk this time of year - even though both they and I realize their funk is fleeting.

We all know happiness doesn't wait for us to follow him but sometimes it does seem as if he's, quite unkindly, put on an invisible cloak. You feel he's nearby yet you can't quite lay your hands on him.

But if you're lucky, you might find yourself accidentally bumping into him on your way to a rum ball.

Is there a chance that a wildly silly poem can carry some even a short way to the other side? Keep in mind my poem is not a life boat. It's more like one of those colorful noodles you carry to the beach.

Also keep in mind I'll be there waiting...on the other side.

Let's sally forth with whimsy

And let laughter take the lead,

We'll sail away from worries

And cast spells of make believe.

Let's sashe on past yesterday

And toss coins at Father Time,

Tip the moon into a teacup

I'll share whatever's mine.

Let's pin pink posies to our shirts

And spin daydreams by the sea,

We'll learn a silly language

And converse with all the bees.

We'll dance beneath the midnight stars

We'll ride the waves til dawn,

My soul will sing a song of joy

That you have come along.

By the way, according to the book Happiness: A History, it wasn't until the late 17th century Enlightenment that happiness as we know it came to be. The Enlightenment's faith in the promise of happiness is how it's pursuit became one of our self-evident truths. And, all data seems to point to certain truths:

1. People are really no happier now than they've been since such studies were first conducted in the 1950's. Thank goodness! For a minute I thought they were going to say we all have to start doing the Mash Potato again!

2. While there's some correlation between happiness and material prosperity, it ceases to be a factor at a certain financial mark - an amazingly low mark actually. We should be extraordinarily happy about that lately!

3. Contentment in family, friendship, and social relations does seem to have a bearing. Ya think!?

4. You're likely to be happier if you live in a non-communist country and if you're satisfied with your work. It is rare to see a communist smile now that I think of it.

We've made a last minute decision to drive to St. Louis for Christmas and New Years. It's an eighteen hour drive and we're leaving at noon on Christmas Eve and driving straight through. Keep your fingers crossed, my friends, that we don't run into any weather. Wrap us in white light, too.

White light! Not snow!