"They think I am too happy."

Started my day early this morning while in Nashville for a major presentation this afternoon. I have a ritual of going to a great, vibe coffeehouse near Vanderbilt University, named Fido's. Was a pet shop years ago. Ordered my oatmeal with strawberries and bananas (fiber, potassium and protein) and a toasted wheat bagel with cream cheese. By the way...WHY is it that every time you order a bagel and cream cheese they bring it out totally slathered with the stuff, so when they put the top half on it, it oozes out from the sides like a menacing blob? Pulsing. Bubbling. Greasy eyes popping open and closed. Leaps onto your clothing and in between your fingers. Ready to invade your arteries. What's with that? 

Anyway, the young woman behind the counter had one of those "can I borrow that for the day" smiles. Just radiating with the completion of every sentence. Made me smile. So I comment, you wonderful smile. "Thanks," with an even wider explosion ivory joy. And then she added, "I appreciate your saying that, because a lot of the people here think I'm way too happy, especially in the morning." I responded with the commensurate "dog head tilt," then said replied "What's with that?" 

Can you picture this in an exchange with friend, co-worker, family member or unsuspecting victim cream cheese aggravated assault: "Wow, would you excuse me for a moment? I just noticed that I have been smiling a lot this morning. I think I might be having a  'too happy syndrome' seizure. I am going to go read the paper, check my investments or turn on CNN. I'm sure one of them will be able to bring me back down to earth. I just can't handle this much joy." What's with that?

I think it's exactly the coming "back down to earth" where the problem resides. The things of this earth - possessions, greed, war, hate, achievement, bills, more stuff, better stuff, cooler stuff...stuff - are the triggers of stress and un-happiness. They create the "gravity" that pulls your inherently "lifted up" expressions "back down" to the ground. 

Go ahead; smile in the face of dour. Injoy your happiness. 

(b)