Happiness is

I’ve noticed a trend towards melancholic angst and philosophical questions in my blogs the past few weeks. So not me! I’m sanguine! I’m chipper! I’m choleric! I take control! Ah well…must be hormonal? Haha.

But one thing did stick in my one month of sentimental wallowing: Happiness is a decision.

So I choose to be happy. Starting off by counting my blessings and the beautiful memories of the start of rainy days:

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream
Finding your skate key, telling the time
Happiness is learning to whistle
Tying your shoe for the very first time
Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band
And happiness is walking hand in hand

Happiness is food, trying out new things, and making time for friendships. My mother and my aunt’s cooking. A footlong hotdog sandwich after a 12 hour fast. Bagoong and fresh tomatoes. Cold chocolait in a tetrapack. Brewed coffee anytime. Apple-raisin crepe. Learning how to operate Linux. Inviting random humans for overnights. Working on big dreams. Not getting a hangover. Hugs and kisses. Sharing tears of grief. The discipline to say no. The courage to say yes. Getting out of my comfort zone. A new corporate job. Deciding to let go and let God. Dropping a subject and being INC. Clocking 300+ kms on bus rides in a weekend. Being vulnerable. Getting to know you. Trying out the slide in the playground. =)

Happiness is five different crayons
Knowing a secret, climbing a tree
Happiness is finding a nickel
Catching a firefly, setting him free
Happiness is being alone every now and then
And happiness is coming home again

Happiness is being with myself and being with family. Happiness is reading a good book. Quiet quiet times and hammock moments in our rooftop. Being surrounded by golden ricestalks ready for harvest and not much else. Seeing real live fireflies in UP Diliman and along a lonely highway in Ifugao. My niece’s first birthday. Sharing recipes and job hunting stories. It’s squatting by an irrigation ditch for hours, presumably to catch tiny fish using a makeshift net. Actually , I was reconnecting with my dad while eavesdropping on my mom conducting business negotiations in Kapampangan. Being assured that no matter what, I am loved.

Happiness is having a sister
Sharing a sandwich
Getting along
Happiness is singing together when day is through
And happiness is those who sing with you

Happiness is music. Of weekly videoke sessions that lasted for hours. All of them free. =) Singing with the Vesper choir. Singing with people who can harmonize so well that you sound as good as they do. Listening to Lea Salonga on tape. Listening to bird whistles in a lazy Saturday afternoon. Listening to the kuliglig symphony. Listening to the falling rain. Love songs and a capela groups. Carmina Burana with matching discussions about classical music. The sweet sound of a much awaited knock on my door. Familiar voices. My brother mimicking the latest commercial on TV. Babbling one-year old niece. Singing alone. Singing with you. Singing to God.

Happiness is morning and evening
Daytime and nighttime, too

Happiness is anytime of the day. Spectacular sunsets in the unlikeliest of places: while walking along the pedestrian crossover from LRT to MRT in EDSA-Taft; in the middle of a ricefield, 360 degree perspective; peering out of bus curtains on the way home from another new place; behind the huge MAKRO sign in front of my apartment window; watching the sun sink into Manila Bay on the rooftop of a condo building. A cold Sunday night and predawn darkness with the skies covered with stars. High noon in the middle of the rice bowl, or on top of a mountain, or rolling down a grassy hill. The solitary sunrise I’ve seen recently: peeking from behind thick clouds and crowded mountains, with the wind in my hair and barely awake.

For happiness is anyone and anything at all
That’s loved by you