What makes you happy??

http://tinyurl.com/5vxn8k

I got the link to this from Derek Sivers on twitter. I thought it was very interesting. Do happy strangers make you happier? If you are feeling down and you walk outside to pick up your newspaper and your neighbor smiles and waves and says, "Hello! Good morning! What a beautiful day!" Does it make you stop and smile too? Do you walk back in your house feeling a little bit better? .... OR do you feel like you want to walk over there and smack him so he'll feel as lousy as you do? And would THAT make you feel better? LOL

I think this time of year just amplifies whatever emotion you may be feeling. If you are down, then the holiday's make you feel worse. If you are happy, then you feel more joyful. Sometimes when I'm down, the last thing I want to see is a bunch of happy people....LOL

However, the other day I was checking out at the grocery store and the girl that was bagging my groceries was just staring down as if she was sad or depressed. I started talking with her, smiling and joking about my intense love for Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer. Pretty soon she was laughing about how she DID notice I bought six containers and that it MUST be good. She then told me that they also make it in the dry creamer too, just in case I ran out of the liquid. I thanked her for the tip, then we chatted about a couple of other things and when I left she was smiling and waving good-bye. Her whole demeanor had changed over a conversation about nothing. Sometimes I think people are just waiting to be noticed. Doesn't it make you happy to be noticed?

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I think it helps to remember that what makes us all happy in the long run is relationships. I think we are all happier when our relationships are good. Whether it is with our spouses, children, parents or friends. Or maybe sometimes, even with strangers. Notice the people around you. Smile at them. Even if you're feeling rotten.... start spreading the love, and just watch what happens. I'll bet you'll start feeling better too.