What Makes Me Happy?
I am often times accused of being too bitter and sullen for my own good. I think there might be a valid point in such an assertion. The lens with which one chooses to view the world often defines a their outlook on most matters. Often, my lens has a hint of bitter with a little frustration mixed in. However, amazingly enough there are things in the world that make me happy. I decided to change my normal tone for just one day and compile an official list of just five of the many things that bring me joy. The fact that there are at least five things in the world that make me happy might be a tough pill for some of you to swallow.
1. My Job
The fact that I am a young, single, childless male floating in a sea of married, motherly women each day makes me feel a little alone at work. However, that is truly my only major complaint. This is far outweighed by the fact I get to spend the day with 18-25 little people who nearly worship the ground I walk on. (I may possibly have a God complex. That is something that will be discussed later.) Unlike a corporate job, my efforts do not line the pocket of some sort of higher-up, useless management figure. With teaching, there are some sacrifices in the compensation and respect departments that come with the territory. I have been described as “just” a teacher a few times, which cut a little deeply. To that I say there is some great talent involved in getting a kindergartener to whole-heartedly believe anything and everything you say. It takes even more talent to teach them to read.
2. My “Other” Job
Why have I worked at my part time clothing store job for over three years? I know it isn’t the amazing pay or the close proximity of the store to my home. The forty percent discount on zany and witty graphic t-shirts loses it luster after awhile. I think what does it for me is the Zen-like sense that comes over me when I realize that as a part-time employee I have very few pressing responsibilities. I pick the clothes up off the floor and slap some new price stickers down once a week. Someone else is in charge and I am just along the ride. It is almost like a temporary vacation from adulthood. Great work if you can get it.
3. Hiking
There is an egotistical part of me that finds pleasure and happiness in my supposed superiority to others. One place where this personal attribute rears its ugly head is in my love of hiking. I hike because I enjoy solitude and scenery. I also hike because I know others cannot and will not. When I stare down from a mountain peak, I know that I have made it and you haven’t.
4. No Doubt prior to “Rock Steady”
Before Gwen Stefani felt the need to teach us all how to spell “bananas,” she was a member of a little band called No Doubt. No Doubt was awesome until the released “Rock Steady.” They dumped the horns and sold out to the pop crowd. When I listen to “Open the Gate” or “Bathwater” I descend into my little fantasy of playing the euphonium in a ska cover band. Some dreams, no matter how outlandish, should never die.
5. Going to the movies alone
I had a girlfriend in high school who insisted on making out during movies. I refused on the basic principle that I had paid good money to WATCH the movie. There are dark rooms available all over for free. When I first moved to Vegas, I became an active moviegoer because it was something to occupy my time in my complete absence of friends. Movie night has evolved into a ritualistic back up plan when I have little else going on. The great part of a solo date is that there is never an argument over what movie to see and no one to pass judgment upon me for purchasing the nine-dollar box of Skittles. With this said, I’d gladly cancel movie night by myself if the right person wanted to tag along.
