Happiness is...

You may be familiar with the "Happiness is..." series from Charles Schultz's Peanuts cartoons. A few years ago I inherited an old calendar from my mom that had a selection of phrases from the series along with pictures for each month. I tore out my favorites and hung them on my bedroom wall for some color and decoration. They soon became a staple in each new place I lived, and will probably stay that way. Some of my favorite phrases from the series are:

Happiness is knowing you have a pretty face.

Happiness is a cat nap.

Happiness is getting together with your friends.

Happiness is a blow-dry hairdo. 

Well, I recently decided I would come up with my own list of things that describe happiness to me. Now, I am the type of person who finds happiness in the smallest, most mundane things in life, so it was difficult to keep the list simple. However, I am happy with the current result. (I'm sure such a list could never really be finished.) And I urge you to ponder, what is happiness to you?

Happiness is a day without make-up.

Happiness is indulging in a day of nothingness within a long-term goal of productivity.

Happiness is losing yourself in a good film.

Happiness is getting the giggles.

Happiness is driving with the windows down and the music up.

Happiness is finding a new pair of favorite kicks.

Happiness is finding a new favorite food. In fact, finding a new favorite anything.

Happiness is accomplishing difficult things.

Happiness is a payday.

Happiness is seeing one of your best friends after too much time apart.

Happiness is popcorn.

Happiness is watching someone open a gift you picked out for them.

Happiness is not having to set an alarm.

Happiness is successfully forming something of relevance on a potter's wheel.

Happiness is making a new friend.

CELINE

Oh, yes. Just look at all her majesty... 

To the woman who needs no introduction or explanation: her name speaks for itself. Your show was incredible. I still think about it daily, even though it's been weeks since seeing it. I cried, laughed, gasped, oohed and aahed, but mostly cried. My early admiration for you was no mistake. Thank you for the ballads, the gowns, the grandeur, the chest-thumps, the passion and inspiration. There's a reason you'll always be one of my favorites.

And all I can say is, "you know that's right..."