I have a blog on my GoogleReader called Marginal Revolutions. I think I have mentioned it before. One of the bloggers is an economist named Tyler Cowen and he was interviewed by The Happiness Project, another blog whose author, Gretchen Rubin, is researching happiness advice for a book she is writing and blogging about it. Essentially she is trying out any and all happiness enhancer theories from self-help books to O magazine.

I have come to the conclusion that happiness is not unattainable but neither is it something to rabidly pursue or loudly lament during the periodic dry spells of either. Happy is like day. It has to have an opposite in order for us to know it exists. 

My life is good but even in the dark times there was still happiness. Maybe not recognizable to anyone but me, but it was there. Most days. If only for a moment or two. Sometimes though I missed those moments by focusing too intently on what I was lacking.

In the drama over the last week or so, I have noted that happiness is still something that exists even in the face of impending grief. My father for example has been entertaining company, mostly family, but despite his illness and continuing ups and downs with Mom, he probably knows happiness just about every day in some form or another be it visits or phone calls or just the joy of another day that he is still able to do things for himself.

I guess I am not surprised. Dad is a Virgo. They are such practical and grounded people. According to Rob the world would grind to a halt in their absence.

So let’s ponder our moments of joy today, shall we? Here or link back.