Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Would you Say you're Happy or just not Unhappy?

Often times...or better yet on a regular basis...I have people asking me what I'm on. I'm assuming they think I'm on some sort of drug that gives me incredible energy or just keeps me in a good mood, but after 26 years of hearing this, I have come to somewhat of a conclusion: It's pretty clear that most people aren't generally happy, but they would instead categorize themselves as not unhappy. And after this much contemplation, I am still clueless as to how everyone is settling for this.

I had someone ask me at work a while back - 'How do you stay so positive when things are so crazy around here?' So I said, "Well...why would I be negative when I could be positive?" Sounds pretty simple, right? It is and I can't seem to figure out how this seems so foreign to most everyone I come into contact with.

Is it strange that I like to sing 80s songs throughout the day at work at my desk? Probably not to the people who sit around me because it's on a regular basis at this point. Is it strange that I got some of my co-workers to do Journey over the intercom at the end of the day yesterday...at the top of our lungs? No, but only because the big boss wasn't in the office :)

Would you consider it odd that at every wedding I have been to I have had to take multiple trips to the bathroom or nearest 'towel off' area because I am sweating at such a fast pace that my dress changes colors? Hell.. I had a girl who I didn't know at this most recent wedding tell me that I had to be at her wedding. She wasn't even engaged! She says - you are a ridiculous dancer and I want you to be at my wedding. I said yes, of course.

Back to my point...why am I the strange one in these situations? Does that mean that people find it odd that there are other people out there who are just genuinely happy? If that is the case, which I think is true, then that is very very sad, my friends. And I honestly hope that after reading this blog...all 20 of you (and that's generous)...one person turns over a new leaf and starts tomorrow on the up and up. We all know that's what I would do :)

Stay classy.

2 comments:

  1. I cannot help but to post a response to this blog because you are 100% correct! I know that while at times I may be morose and I do know people who are sad sometimes, your constant cheeriness is uplifting so I try to apply it to my every day life. People have asked me while I'm on the treadmill why am I smiling and I have to respond, well I'm happy. Weird, right? Singing on the intercom would never happen at my work but that doesn't mean you can't share happiness in your own hallway. As some know, I live under a cloud of doom and gloom at times but I choose, yes choose, to ignore that cloud (most of the time) and be happy (or go out and be happy on same days). Morgan Freeman once said, go find the joy in your life, well he is right and Erin is right (your mama's all right, your daddy's all right - sorry - I digress). Just put a smile on your face and it will change your attitude.

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  2. Did you know that being positive just to not be negative can actually be bad thing? I once read (I'm going to search for the article) that it's actually a healthier thing to show the true emotions that you are feeling. Apparently "pent up" emotions are not just a fictional thing and they can help attribute to health problems.

    That being said, I find nothing wrong with being upbeat and happy most of the time. But there is something good about venting... it helps make you feel better and help you to not stress/worry as much.

    I guess that's why people thing I'm overly cynical. I'm happy when I'm happy. I complain when I'm irritated. But the reason I complain is because "getting it off my chest" makes it go away so I can "return" to happiness (I use return lightly because just because I'm unhappy for a moment doesn't mean I am overall unhappy).

    Keep on keepin' on. Just don't bottle things up :)

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