Happiness Happens Day

I once had two happy friends. They were happy all of the time and infuriatingly so at times for me personally.

There was my best friend Jerry Landry, whom I sometimes referred to as one of the "pollyanna capecodese" who was ALWAYS upbeat and optimistic seeking the laugh and good time which made him the perfect military off time companion.

Then there was Irene Simpson, who was somewhat more subdued, but entirely optimistic and looking at the bright side when she and I met in 1974 or so.

Both of these friends are gone from me now. Jerry passed away suddenly and Irene relocated upstate after getting married to another friend and having his baby.

Me, I'm still here and the same as well; but I will admit that I am not the bubbly happy fellow these other two might project regarding themselves. I do however, tend to joke around — but ONLY after taking good care of business.

My priorities certainly have changed over the years. It used to be "fun first" then "business".

Today is Happiness Happens Day. It is held under the auspices of the Secret Society of Happy People (SOHP) which was founded by one Gail Johnson in 1998.

This group celebrates the expression of happiness and encourages their membership as well as others to recognize their happy moments and think about happieness in their daily life.

It is a part of a bigger observance known as Happiness Happens Month ... which is held in August no less. The underlying purpose of both Happiness Happens Day and Month is to share happiness and to encourage people to talk and think about happiness.