Are. You. Happy.

Are you happy?  Such an interesting question that brings so many things to mind.  And truth be told, not an easy question to answer.

I was watching Frasier (1993) and Niles asked the question.  And it made me think .... what makes a person truly happy?

When I was young,  it was so easy to believe that I would be happy being married, being a mom.  Those things happened and yes. I was happy, in the larger scheme of things.  

Being happy isn't a goal you can think of and reach for.  Being happy is the little extra on the side of reaching goals.  I always told myself I wanted to own my own home by the time I was 50.  I reached that goal, bought my first home the year I turned 50.  And that was very happy!  

But now its 15 years later, and time to rethink the question, "are you happy?"

I have to admit, being retired is a good happy!  It's not what I imagined in my mind when I was younger, but its still pretty good!  Now, I just have to remember that happy is the little things that come along, to notice those things and appreciate the happiness inside those little moments.  Helping my nephew with his kids, helping Mom now that she lives here, and learning to find happiness in the little things.  (Like naps!!) 

So ask yourself, Are You Happy??

Because Somebody Prayed

Because Somebody Prayed is a song that's been playing on KLove lately,  and it reminded me of something.   When I worked retail, on a busy, stressful day, my manager and I were working on some boxes, and chatting, the way you do.  He stopped and looked at me, and reached a hand toward my bangs.  I thought maybe he was going to brush away some lint, or a bug.  

Instead, he made the sign of a cross on my forehead.  I didn't say anything, just looked at him. He had a look of concentration on his face.  I know he was praying for me. 

How often have you prayed for someone? Or had someone pray for you?  There are times when we don't know if or when someone prays for us.  My grandmother often told me she was praying for me.  As a teen, I didn't claim much comfort from that thought.  

But now as an adult, I know there is power in prayer.  I know I've prayed for people over the years.  I don't know if those were a part of the end result, but I like to think so. 

If you're having a bad day, ask someone for prayers. If you see someone who's hurting, say a little prayer.  It helps!