I just signed onto Facebook and I see that one of my friends has posted a status that asks the question: “What makes you happy?  I mean really happy? #pensive”.

First off, I looked at the status and I thought, fuck.  How do I answer that?  My second reaction was that I looked at the hashtag, and I thought, I hate hashtags and social media.  Ironic, I know but I am forced into social media usage…I am a product of the times and if I disconnect myself…well, then I don’t actually exist in the world.  I digress.

“What makes you happy? I mean really happy?”, I must admit, my friend’s silly Facebook status made me think.  Happy? Does she mean what do I want in life that will make me happy and complete?  Does she mean goals?  Is she speaking about the now or the 5-10 years from now?  I think you can answer this deep rooted question however you want to but I think she is referring to the right here and right now and what you can do to bring yourself happiness today.  My happiness of today and tomorrow is rare and fleeting, which is why I find it difficult to answer this question anyway. But here it goes:

• Writing makes me happy—I love to put my thoughts down on paper, *ehh hemm* I meant computer (either/or). Writing is my way of creating, which will make me rich and famous in the future but right now it brings me great pleasure.
• Money—I hate working as a waitress but when I see the rewards, and they are great, for work that doesn’t require me to dig deep into my cerebral cortex and wrack my brain to find an answer, I must say, it makes me pretty damn happy.
• Exercising—Kickboxing, running, I love the high and the results.  Who doesn’t? A great workout does wonders on your mood and while the high remains, changes your view of the world.  It really is a wonderful place, isn’t it?
• Love—I am happy when I am in the arms of the one I love, er..or should I say other?  I will sacrifice for potential love and endure hardship and confusion for momentary wonderment and happiness.  Knowing that there is someone out there that can make you smile and can push your buttons in just the right way is what gets me though the night.  Call me crazy, but I’m a hopeless romantic.
• Family—I know this should have been first but it doesn’t mean it’s not the most important thing that contributes to my happiness.  I am who I am because of their love and support.  Enough said.

There are a lot of other things that make me happy but they are not in the present but in the near future…i.e. stand-up comedy, improv, etc…

Thank you Facebook friend for making me want to question the here and now and for giving me some food for thought.  I needed that.  Be grateful for the here and now.

“Don’t stop believing”~Journey

(I think it’s going to be appropriate to end each entry with a song lyric)

Taryn

XO