Happiness is a fish you can catch

There is a shift occurring at work. It's caused by whisperers and meeting behind closed doors. Not saying it means anything. But it does tend to make even the hardiest of people feeling just a wee bit paranoid.

I had a five minute catch up conversation with The Man pre-soccer (football as it is more appropriately called in the rest of the world.) In a sentence, he made me feel better. Surprisingly, he said something to the effect of "I hate when that happens." Validated in a sentence what I'd been feeling. He's really fabulous that guy of mine.

I played assistant coach. With 14 kids running amuck, I am pretty sure non of our foremothers would have had time for crap like office politics. They were too busy looking for a way to distill alcohol more quickly. There were too many right now crises to deal with. JoJo, coach, reminded me to take care of me. (And not to forget we play at 6 next week too.)

By the time I came home, I felt better about things in general. Then I logged on to MSN, I whined and ranted at Michelle who said "I'm sorry." And I laughed and laughed. Because we used to know someone who said that a lot. It didn't matter what you were talking about from the weather or major life crisis. She's say "I'm sorry." (I wonder if she wasn't really listening.) Sometimes, the best friends make you laugh, and then remind you that they are there to just listen.

Finally, I caught up on my blog reading. (I love my reader -- and my readers.) I read some stupendous things, many people who were feeling hard done by and letting us know about it, and some who are definitely hard done by and who are dealing with it. Then I read Punk Rock Mommy's Post. (Go read it's brilliant.) She is absolutely right. Happiness, even in times of strife, is a choice. Appreciate every moment because every moment you spend worrying about something is a moment wasted.

I can surround myself with people who care and who know me well enough to say the right thing. I can't control what other people do and say. But I can make sure that I am ok. And that I'm doing the things that keep me happy making the best choices I can make for me.

(And I got into a pair of exercise capris' I thought were far too small. Damn I love running.)

Comments

[Marcy]

Ohhhh thanks for that link, chica! That was an awesome post :-) It's nice to be reminded.

[sue]

So true. Too often I forget this.

[Selma]

I forget too. You are absolutely right. Sometimes accepting that other people's actions are out of our control is the best way of looking after ourselves. Thank God for dear friends and wise bloggers!

[William carter]

Hi Nat

Happiness is always a choice that has to be made. If one chooses to be a total downer and just kind of moan through life(I call it the Eeyore syndrome), they will never be happy. Life is about emotion, feeling, excitement, anticipation, and unfortunately some uncomfortable things like pain, disappointment, sadness, etc. But it must be lived and for most of us happiness can be the norm and not the exception.

Great stuff, Nat

[Bec]

Oh what a good post! And now I have to drag my Our Lady Peace albums out!