Don't Worry, Be Happy: Dawn Trapp

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR TRAPPED IN MOON VALLEY Dawn Trapp DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY…. Really, it’s just that simple? “To be happy means to be free, not from pain or fear, but from care or anxiety.” – W.H. Auden

The ancient meaning of “happy” come from “hap” or chance- as in mishap, or hap-pening. Happy meant fortunate or lucky, and we still call people happy who manage to turn life’s’ unpredictability to their advantage.

We use the words Happy- Holiday, Birthday, Thanksgiving, Day, Happy this and Happy that in our everyday language and greetings.

Happiness is truly a matter of attitude, whether we see the cup half empty or half full, it is a feeling of contentment. A feeling when all your needs are meant and we feel satisfied and fulfilled.

But damn, it is sure hard to maintain at all times, and the degrees of bliss or despair of depression hit all of us at different times. Knowing and accepting that being happy is more than not, something each and every one of us control. Complex yet simple, humans are very complicated to understand, but basic needs on the inside are very similar.

I have pondered on this topic during the Holidays, it is a time when many are very happy, yet many are very sad. Expectations of what a holiday is supposed to look like, what gifts did we receive or not, who is coming to share, and the list goes on and on, and is shattered more time than not.

I believe our individual theories of happiness are based on our genetics, how we were raised and our life experiences. What makes us happy today, is not necessarily what will make us happy tomorrow (my husband has the hardest time with this!!) but oh so true.

During this what is supposed to joyous season, I ask each of you to remember, not everyone is happy, and it is not necessarily our job to make everyone happy., but your happiness is your “job”. Working on a few areas of your life will surely help in the reality of happiness:

Your wellbeing: feeling your mind-body connections, working on your physical strength and mind health

Environment: the choice to be where you feel the best, most loved, comfortable, safe and free

Pleasure: the joys of eating, sex, love, playing and small indulgences

Relationships: relish and engage with those that make you feel your best

Involvement: get out and join in fun adventures and activities, peaking curiosity

Success: confirming what you do has value Flexibility: how you recover from inevitable negative events, and having the strength to explore and create a different scenario

And so, I end with Happy Day, today and try every day to find the little happiness that is there , some days you will need to dig deep, while others we will be rolling in the fluffy, sickening sweet cotton candy, loving our Happy Days!

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