by Tracy Brooks

Created on: September 10, 2010

"It is what is "  my Nan used to say with a smile.  There were times I thought that was a stance of resignation, of defeat. How can she just "keep on keeping on?", I often pondered.  She would smile wide, wipe her brow and continue to roll out the best buttermilk biscuits you can taste. Faith. Perseverance. Being in the moment. I never realized time at her apron strings would show me the same life lessons life would beg me to live out decades later!

Happiness is possible, even in the midst of a chaotic life. The Buddha spoke of a path leading to such bliss. Equanimity, the middle way, carried on the wings of prayers for others. Jesus certainly walked the path, spoke the light even in the midst of darkness. But what about a regular person?

''It's on the inside baby girl'' she would say with her sweet smile. ''What is?''  I would always say. "That joy baby...God...all you searchin for is just right there.''  I would believe her for a while. All young children have that happy stance, it is a gift we arrive here with. Yet we all grow weary as we grow up. It is crucial to have that positive energy nurtured in young people. I found that in my Nan. When you surround yourself with that energy you absorb it! People started to question my smile though.

"She's such a Pollyanna" is a term I grew to hate!  Looking on the bright side was a dying way of life for me. The naysayers were everywhere. It would take a bit more growing from within to reclaim my smile. Nan died and my search for that joy took a backseat. Decades later it would become my driving force!

If we stay in each moment we can touch on that joy. Happy people are not in denial of the bad, they just choose not to dwell on it. They see things from a different stance. They still get bad days, and may cry or curse too! Happy folks don't chase away the negative voice, just let it be. Soon enough the darkness leaves on its own.

Some of the happiest folks I know have not had it easy.  Death, illness, trials and tribulations have still  touched them deeply. Yet they are grateful, deeply grateful. They take the time to appreciate all of life, even when it's darkest. They light a small candle each time they smile.

Learn more about this author, Tracy Brooks.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.