Happiness Lives in the Moment

My mom makes the best homemade ice cream, and when she’s making ice cream you know it’s summertime.  This is just another reason that summer is the best time of the year.  When I was growing up six of my favorite words had to be, “school is out for the summer!”  Summer vacation, what a wonderful and glorious time.  No school, hot summer days, going to the beach, summer baseball, BBQ, 4th of July parade, fireworks, no snow, my birthday…summer was fun, and it still is.

When my kids were little, they would always ask me, “dad, do you get the summer off from work?”  Sadly, the answer has always been no, and they look a bit perplexed.  You don’t get the summer off?  You still have to go to work?  I’ll be honest, I miss the days of a summer recess.  Having a break after a long period of work or school is a wonderful thing.  No responsibilities for a good solid 2 months?  Who wouldn’t love that?  Some days it seems that it would be nice to go back to being a kid.  How simple and easy life would be.

But would it really be great to be a kid again?  After all, I didn’t have as much control over my life back then.  My parents made me go to bed at a certain time, I couldn’t watch certain TV shows, and of course before I could drive, I could only go wherever someone else took me.  My freedom was quite limited now that I think about it.  I probably wouldn’t be a very good kid if I had to go back, and I’m not sure my parents would want me.   

Contentment is elusive.  I’m sure I’ve written about this before.  We always want a little more, or something a little different.  We’ve all heard the saying, “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.”  But if and when we ever get to the other side of the fence, somehow, miraculously, it isn’t quite as great as we thought it might be.  Now how do I get back over?    

I heard a new saying recently that I like better.  “The grass is greener…where you water it.”  We are all at different points in our lives and probably right where we should be.  So, instead of wishing and wanting and wasting our time and lives, perhaps it’s time to simply water our own grass.  Yes, I have to work this summer kids, but I’m going to be thankful that I’m healthy enough that I get to work in a job I love with great people.  And I’m going to be thankful for the grass upon which I stand.  May we all enjoy the summer ahead, and may you take some time to water your grass.    

“Happiness is not a goal…it is a by-product of a life well lived.” 

- Eleanor Roosevelt