Why Be Happy?
Pretty basic, right? But let’s think about it…
Are you happy? Are you sure? I hope you answered Yes to both and with zeal! A good many of us will hesitate to answer, qualify it…or say no.
Take a look around. Do you live and/or work in a happy community? Do you know lots of happy people? Again, I hope both answers are a firm You betcha! But, when I look out at the world, I don’t see many truly happy people. How can I tell? Well…
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Happy people don’t hate others just to hate. Happy people don’t see differences as affronts. They don’t want to take away things — like rights and liberties or storytimes — from people who just want to live their lives as who they are. Happy people see others as kindred, as equals. And they want other people to be happy people, too.
That all must sound childish and perhaps bordering on my least favorite thing, Toxic Positivity. 🤢 But it’s pretty effing true. Happy people (of the authentic variety) are not a**holes. I mean, we can all have our a**hole moments (happy people are, in fact, human), but happy people are not walking around all day, trying to figure out how to make things worse for other folks. D!ckheads do that.
This is why it’s important to be happy. And to be happy now.
When we’re able to generate true happiness in our lives, it becomes contagious. You are giving others permission to be happy as well. You are proving that you don’t have to wait for things to be perfect in order to be happy, you don’t have to earn it, and you don’t have to wait for someone else to bring it to you. You create it and nurture it yourself, and you show others how to do the same.
Sure, when you get happy, some of the miserable people in your life will try to crush it. Others will fall away because they aren’t there yet. (And some you may have to dismiss because you’re beyond that BS.) But, you’ll attract plenty of like-spirited people, and certain friendships will deepen. If we want things to change for the better, we have to start that ball rolling. We have to be better. And happier.
Yes, you can still be pissed off at the world and all the injustices in it and be happy at your core. Yes, you can keep your dark, sarcastic, cynical sense of humor and be happy. You can swear and do stupid things, make mistakes, embarrass yourself and perform all the other normal human functions as a happy person. The difference will be that you’re operating at a higher vibe, thinking more clearly and compassionately. You won’t feel the need to engage with asshats in the same way. You’ll be able to pull them out of the mud, outwit them, or simply walk away…and do it with a smile.
I think we’re at the point where we have to realize we can’t keep going at this the same way — fighting rage with rage. We need to solve the most human problem we have right now: unhappiness. This despair is ruining us.
Happy people want to help. Happy people want to solve the problem, get people what they need, provide access, give security, education, opportunity, food, clean water, clean air, affordable healthcare, a living wage, a home. A planet that will be here in the next century and beyond. Happy people bake the cake.
This is why being happy — right effing now — is so vital. It’s how we change things. It’s why I’m purposely shoving happy in people’s faces all the time and bringing everything back to that. It’s imperative. A sassy little happy revolution, if you will. At this point, being happy is utterly subversive. Totally punk rock. It’s radical!
And it’s pretty simple, too. Isn’t being happy what we all want? Then maybe now is the time to make it a priority.
That whole “be the change you want to see in the world” thing is what I’m trying to do. I’m far from perfect, my life is far from perfect (and, to be clear, seeking happy is not striving for perfection). However, there is a ripple effect. And it’s not just silly sh!t. Your energy changes when you’re happy. People notice. They don’t always know exactly what it is, but they know something’s going on. And they like it. (Longtime friends have been telling me that I look better than ever. LOL. No, I don’t. That’s just what I look like truly happy.)
Being happy isn’t a frivolous or futile pursuit. It really is the key to unlocking everything else you want. Love. Money. Success. All of that comes to you when you are genuinely, in-your-skin happy. And from there, out it goes into the world. More love. More money. More security. More opportunity. More equality. More sanity. More justice. More hope for more people.
Are you happy? Are you willing to be? I hope you keep saying YES. xo
Some Recs
by is a great ‘stack for “people who are pissed off about the climate crisis.” I certainly am. (Happy people are allowed to be pissed at stuff like this, BTW.) by is a delightful, insightful ‘stack you should subscribe to.Happy Hacks
Focus on the little things. Those add up and make a big diff. By now, you probably know how much I love green lights (and that I’m from L.A.). Seeing a hawk soar overhead makes me giddy. Hummingbirds and butterflies are a delight. Kindness makes me smile, even just to witness it happening to others. Pay attention and watch those little things accumulate.
Drink up! Water, I mean. Did you know upping your hydration boosts your mood? It does! There’s all sorts of science behind it. So, get out your cup and fill it up! At least 8 times a day. You’ll see and feel an improvement almost immediately. xo
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It's the only skill we need. To be happy right here and now. It is possible!
"Happy people bake the cake." This made me smile. It is beautifully written, Sandra. It made me think of the contentment and how that helps with happiness. Just thinking about that now.
Also, thank you, again! Thank you so so much for sharing my work!