Being Truly Happy

As many of you may know, Posey Park (and me and my family) have just undergone quite a major move across the country. I was raised in Texas, and as a Native Texan, I have always been proud of my home state. The people are nice, the stars are bright (it's not just a song, it's true!), and the air ... especially in Dallas where I consider my adult "home" ... the air just has a certain smell. I missed the smell of the air in Dallas when we moved from there 5 years ago, to Washington DC. I missed the muggy summers, and the look of the suburban homes there. I missed friends... some who had children, that were my daughter's dearest and first friends. I hated DC at first. It seemed that the people were rude, and rushed and unfriendly, and service at restaurants and even grocery stores was poor. Everything was expensive. But... there were trees, and the picturesque views of the history of our beautiful nation, close enough to touch. I love politics, and knew if I didn't make one friend during our stay in that area, at least I would enjoy the atmosphere of seeing the political machine in action. (Which I did.) Well, of course as time went by, fate was so kind as to allow us to make the most wonderful friends we will ever know in our lives. We lived steps from one another, in a townhouse community in Alexandria, VA, just miles from DC. 3 out of our 4 families were looking at transfers after a few years. We knew that our time together would not be forever... but it would most certainly be fun, and as we have now come to know... unforgettable. But in my quiet hour, in my inner most thoughts... Texas was still home. I just knew I wanted to go "home" at some point. 5 years later, we were given that opportunity, and seized it. Our friends moved within a few weeks of us... to opposite coasts. We were the first to go. It was hard to be the first. But, we were "home" in Texas... and this was going to feel like a long, deep sigh... I kept telling myself. But it never came. My heart beat so heavy since the day we moved into our new house... it wasn't home at all. I missed DC. I would see news coverage of the White House or the Supreme Court, and hold back tears. Silly... I know. But just the thought of that beautiful, magestic city... too far to drive to, made me really sad. I feel now, as I did before, when we moved there. I feel as though I didn't know how happy I really was, how good life really was there. We had wonderful friends (although they moved too)... I wonder how much time I wasted thinking of tomorrow... when "today" I had the dearest friends I would ever know, within walking distance. I am sickened by the thought that I spent a moment, not appreciating everything around me...but I know now that I did. I guess what I am saying, is that I learned something... something I have probably learned before now, but forgotten. Something... so valuable that it could spare heartache, bring joy, and cause one to live a fuller life... the concept of simply learning to recognize when we are truly happy. Sound simple? Try it today. Try living one day, without imagining yourself at a different place in life... or maybe wondering "what if..." you'd have done this or that, or moved there instead. Have you ever just sat really still in a quiet moment, and said to yourself... "I am truly happy."??? I think I had, and it lasted just about that... a moment. It is human nature to set goals, and unfortunately it is also human nature to set new ones before we get a chance to realize that we have reached the one before. I am a happy person, and I have always been quite philosophical about life in general... realizing that life is short, and always trying to appreciate every day. But like many, I think I always have my eye on the prize, and unfortunately it is always a few steps from where I stand. I know now that I loved DC, but moreso I love the "idea" of that time in my life. I will look back on that day, with fond memories, that I will never forget. But starting today, I am really going to try to see the moment I am living... instead of peering constantly over the horizon, to tomorrow. I heard once about a man who rode trains... he rode one to get to the other, and the next, and so on... constantly looking ahead to the next train stop. When he got to the end, he realized his trip was over... and in this particular scenario, the train ride was his life. He was so busy looking for the next stop, that he never enjoyed the ride. I don't know about you, but time moves too quickly as it is. I couldn't bear the thought of wasting years of my life or my little girl's... wishing I was at another place in time. I resolve today to enjoy this day, and this moment... and be thankful. I am truly... happy... today, right now... exactly where I am. May you be today... truly happy. And even better... may you know it. This may be the greatest and most ambitious hope... of all.