Academy Awards 2012: Happiness

-Having stacks of books on our coffee table-

I was talking to one of my best girlfriends the other day about happiness, and what it means to be truly happy. She was struggling with the concept of being happy as is, versus being happy once she gets this, that, or the other. I'll be the first to admit that I've been guilty of having this mentality at times as well, thinking, "I'll be happier once I lose 5lbs" or "I'll be happier when I have more money in savings." It's often times too difficult for us to examine our current state of being in hopes of finding even a flutter of happiness, but it isn't impossible to do so either. Being Type 1 diabetic, I've unfortunately had my fare share of hospital stays. While it was never fun to be in the hospital and hooked up to monitors, it did teach me from a young age to hone in on the smallest glimmer of happiness, which is something I've never forgotten how to do. Even if it was something as simple as a nurse sneaking me extra crackers, or my Mom bringing me a fresh pair of pj's to wear from home, the simplest forms of happiness got me through those hard days. Over the years I've tried to implement that same mindset in my life. Yes, I am still guilty of having those thoughts that I'll be happier once I ____, but for the most part, I'm constantly looking for simple joys in the smallest of places. A warm smile from my boyfriend, a flower bouquet from Farmer's market, old books wrapped in twine; they all seem small while in the moment, but they truly add up to what happiness is all about to me.