Choosing to break out the joy

Photo © K. Hall

Here in the northeast, the cold, raw weather of March has continued its grip on April. I hear lots of grumbling and anger about the snow that still blankets the lawns and lines the roadsides, and about the storm just last week that dumped upwards of 6”-8” of more heavy, wet stuff in our area.

I admit that I, too, have been annoyed by seemingly late arrival of spring. However, as I remind myself, there isn’t anything I can do about the weather.

However, there is a lot I can do about my attitude.

If you have read much of anything here at my blog, you probably have noticed that I am a glass more than half full kind of person. If you are new here-Welcome!-and have only read the name of my blog-Too Darn Happy-well, that probably tells you how full my glass is the majority of the time.

I learned long ago that we all make a choice how optimistically-or not-we approach the struggles in our families, the difficulties at work, the vagaries of the weather, and everything else that fills our hours. The challenge is to get our heads above the crashing waves while we are fighting the flotsam and jetsam of the day as it grabs at our ankles, eager to drag us down to the depths.

How do we do that? With counter-intuitive behavior.

By acting as though we are happy and positive, even if we start with a bit of a begrudging heart. Our behavior acts as a trigger on our emotions. Don’t believe me? Sit down, slouch, slump your shoulders and lower your head in a hopeless fashion. How much delight are you feeling?

Studies show that smiling actually triggers and contributes to a better mood. Who knew?

So. Rather than walking around, angry and moping at how you are being tossed about by the ebb and flow of life, and saying you would be happy if conditions were different, try out this approach instead. Your prescription for a more satisfying, pleasurable day begins with smiles, and I encourage you to enjoy that refreshing flow of happiness that will begin to course through your veins.

Onward to joy!

Tell me about how you have moved forward to a more joyful place this week.

PS-About that photo...my dear hubbie and I were interminably tired of winter a few years back, so one sunny sort of "spring really is coming day", we pulled the kayaks down to the still frozen pond and had loads of laughs as we did lots of summery silly things on the ice. And, yes, we felt much happier and lighter of heart afterwards.

Why did the turkey cross the road?

This road is blissfully frost-heave and turkey free

When we drove to church this week, we took what is usually the quickest route, which takes us this time of year along a curvy, wood-lined, frost-heave riddled road. Since it is getting towards spring, the turkeys are out in force, especially in this area. If you haven’t lived where there are turkeys, know that all the stories you’ve heard about how, um, limited they are in the brain department are well deserved. They cannot be counted on for rational, logical behavior by any stretch.

As we came up over a rise, we noticed there were four turkeys ahead by the right side of the road, picking at something they evidently found tasty. Two of the turkeys, realizing we were coming, stopped eating and immediately headed across the road. 

In front of us. Just cavalierly putting their lives in our hands. Not into the woods towards the right, where they could just toddle off into the undergrowth, oh, no.

We slowed the car, and watched as the third bird took a few more bites, and then followed his mates across the road as well.

In front of us. Even though our car was closer than when the first two crossed. 

We took the speed down just a little more, wondering if the last member of the gang was going to surprise us. He was quite busy having his fill as he wasn’t having to share with his fellow scavengers. Apparently, though, he realized he was ALONE, so off he trotted to be with his buds. 

Yes, in front of our moving car. May I say with tongue firmly in cheek: what a turkey.

I found myself wondering about a parallel between these birds and us (I know. You are wondering about me, and why in the world I would even see a parallel.), and thinking that sometimes our own behavior can be as illogical.  How often do we make choices based on giving in to pleasure now but exposing ourselves to short or long term risk, such as eating too much at a party, or spending money we don’t have on a fun gadget, as opposed to making wiser choices that instead bring us much greater satisfaction over the long haul?

Be good to yourself, and take some time today to ask for wisdom and guidance as you make both large and small decisions.