Said Colson in his sleep in the middle of the night. My dreams and waking thoughts were about happiness too. Why?
Last night a wonderful friend invited us to her house to meet two amazing women, Linda and Paula, who are on a Happiness Walk. They are walking to “re-focus national attention on our common desire for (and right to) a genuine pursuit of happiness.” Paula, Linda and others have convinced the Vermont legislature (they are from Vermont) to develop happiness measures for incorporation into government decision making. The Governor of Maryland has embraced the idea and is incorporating happiness measures into his government’s culture.
Paula and Linda’s vision and reach have no bounds and they are trusting the process, as Ryan, my teambuilding husband would say. Very bold!
I asked Linda and Paula what has surprised them about their 1,000 mile journey and was excited by Linda’s response. She said that she was not feeling positive about the future because of the news we are exposed to each day. Once she and Paula started walking and meeting with people, they realized the huge disconnect between people’s daily lives and what the media is reporting. Linda said that people are much more positive and Happy than the news would lead us to believe. Relationships are what people value most, a message that they heard from kids and adults.
Linda and Paula are recording others’ thoughts on Happiness throughout their journey, and they recorded our friend’s and my family’s thoughts. It was wild – we said what first came to mind, and as each of us spoke, the others became inspired, causing us to repeatedly ask for the recorder. We could have been there for another hour at least, talking about what makes us Happy.
I would very much like to join Paula and Linda on part of their Happiness Walk as they approach Tallahassee, which may just be possible. My educational and professional life originated in Tallahassee and I have some old friends that I am long, long overdue to visit. Here’s hoping I can make that work.
Ryan, Colson and I talked about our visit after we got home, which was after 9:00 and close to bedtime for all of us. Because Ryan snores and I sleep separately, Colson moved in and the guys bunk together. They have a great time and I love that Colson can wind his day down talking about whatever is on his mind with his much loved Papa.
Ryan said that Colson was thrashing in the middle of the night, mumbling, and then very strongly stated “And that’s what makes me Happy.”
Love it and love them!
P.S. Doing my darnedest to make “And that’s what makes me Happy” my mantra.
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