Well it's been a while. Too long if you ask me. That's just what happens when life gets busy, and oh boy is it busy! This past week I have had little to no free time and next week is about the same. A lot of people call me crazy for how busy my life is but they don't realize how much I love it. See, I have this theory. It doesn't have a name or anything, but I think it's the secret to happiness. That's right, I am going to tell you the secret to happiness, so listen close!
In my life I have been helped so much by other people. I have seen so many people sacrifice their time to do things for me, and I finally feel like I have the ability to give back. How did I do this? By getting involved. I found places at my university where I could see change happen. Where I could do things that mean something.It may only be a few organizations I am involved with but I feel needed. I feel valued and I feel like I can make a difference. These organizations may take up my time but they never make me sad. I am willing to be apart of them. I am willing to spend 8 or more hours in a day doing things for these organizations. Why? Because they make me happy and I know I will never regret the work I do with them, only look forward knowing the path behind me is filled with deeds of good work and good will.
In the times I am not working for these different organizations I am in, I am spending my time with wonderful people. I re-learned a lesson a little bit ago about meaningful friendships. Notice how I said meaningful and not "best" friendships. I think the term "best friends" is a terrible term. I don't think it fully implies what a friendship is. I can be "best" friends with someone and not even know their birthday with today's version of the term. It's overused, and almost meaningless in my opinion. It is practically the opposite of what I want to talk about; meaningful friendships. In my opinion, a meaningful friendship is a friendship where both people are valued. You care for each other, look out for each other, and spend time with each other. Let me give you a few examples of the meaningful friendships in my life. I have one friend who is always there for me. She listens to me complain, she laughs when I am so not funny, and she lets me use her shoulder to cry on when I need to. She is one very great person and I know that I can always count on her to be there. That, to me, has meaning. The next is a friend who is always listening to me. I don't know how many times I have been in a group where so many people have been talking and I try to say something and no one hears. This always makes me feel ignored and overlooked, but this friend of mine never does. He will always go back to what I said, or let me know that he heard me and was listening. It's this small validation of importance that gives a meaningful dimension to our friendship. As both of these friends show their care for me, I try to do the same for them, and that is a definition of a meaningful friendship.
Life is good. It really is. There are so many things that can get you down. So many things that will try to tear you down, but you cannot let them. You cannot let sadness seep into your eyes. You cannot let the weight of the world bog you down. So, back to that secret. Are you ready? It's gonna be big! In order to remain happy you have to be happy. So do it. Go find what you enjoy. For me it's giving back and meaningful friends. For you it may be music and cheese. All I know is that when we find those things that make us truly happy we begin to shine from the inside out. And when we shine form the inside out we are being the best people we can be. If you were to ask me if I was happy, I could honestly say I am. I have a wonderful life filled with the things I love to do and that is all anyone can ask for.
So, now that you know the secret, give happiness a try. Find the things you love to do and let them fill your life. By staying busy doing things that you love, you will never go without a smile. That is my wish for you because, after all, no one likes a frowny face! :)
