The Art Of Being Happy (Bottle #7)
By John R. Greenwood
I’m sick and tired of being happy. It’s getting harder and harder to find optimistic friends to play with. Everyone is too busy running around hating on each other. Because my job and my life take place on the double yellow line between the right and left lanes I’ll refrain from making this a political commentary. I will say my glass was a lot more full two years ago. Lately I feel every time my glass gets near the top someone comes along and kicks it over.
I’ve spent my life extracting happiness from every common moment I could wring from life’s dishtowel; from that new car smell to my morning’s first sip of coffee. It’s been sixty-two years and counting, collecting bits and pieces of happiness. My greatest joy today will come from out of the blue. It might be a pure and genuine thank you from an appreciative coworker or stranger. It could come in the form of a Labrador’s wagging tail or a grandson’s infectious giggle. It might even come in the last 30 seconds of an otherwise heart wrenching newscast.
Like a fish-less bobber I keep popping to the surface hoping things get better. If you’d told me back in the 60’s and 70’s that this country would be struggling with color, gender, and abuse in 2018 at the level we are now I would have laughed you off the street. I would have hoped by now our brains and our neighbors would have found a way to level the playing field so we could all take a shot at the net. I was sadly mistaken, but I’m not giving up. I’ll keep doing my part, spreading my optimism and handshakes wherever I go. I’m not a quitter.
Oh, I almost forgot, there’s a town hall gun debate coming on in a couple of hours. Let’s see if I can extract anything out of that—he said smiling.
Bottle release update: No feedback on anything I’ve placed back in the wild yet. Here’s a couple pictures with some hints of where the latest two bottles were set free.
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| "Be The Reason" #5 Hint: You'd be able to get more "Information" if they were open right now... |
I thought you'd enjoy this amazing coincidence. My wife had not yet read the piece on Bottle #5. I shared the story and photo with her after I'd already posted it. When she got a chance to read it she sent me this photo of her desk at work. You must believe me when I tell you neither one of us had discussed this quote at any time before I wrote the piece or set the bottle free. It did send a warm-chill up my spine.  |
| At My Age Bottle #6 This just seemed like a happy place to be set free... |
Bottle #7 “The Art Of Being Happy” will be out there roaming the world by the time you read this latest piece.
Happy Hunting
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I wish I was the thief of your gifted bottles but we live in different parts of the country. I used the term thief because that’s probably how I would feel, stopping to read a lone bottle, to see if the yellow rose is real, wishing I could steal the found treasure but concerned it’s meant to stay for the enjoyment of everyone who passes by. But as a blog follower who feels your joy of giving, hoping to make a difference which you have with each quote, each yellow rose, and each expression of the process. After all “you are the one who makes someone smile today.” I can’t wait to read about the next gifted bottle so I can steal the treasured adventure from afar.
ReplyDeleteI released another treasure moments ago on a busy Saratoga Springs street in the light of day. No one paid me any mind. No one aware of the silent smile I'd given myself. Priceless joy at no ones expense.
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