Happy, Happy, Happy

When I was a young girl, I used to think I should be happy all the time.  If I was sad, I wondered why some seemed to be always happy and I wasn’t.   If I focused on many of the Facebook posts in today’s world, I might wonder why my life isn’t perfect and always happy.   I am not complaining.   I have a great life, but it is a mixture of sad, happy, grief, laughter, stress, and much more.   I believe you get what I am saying.  

Life is a mix of emotions, situations, highs and lows.   Now, I wouldn’t want it any other way.  I believe that things happen for a reason and every situation is a learning experience.  In some of my past blogs, I have mentioned synchronicity.  When I look back, my life looks like building blocks slowly creating learning experiences over the years.  I have used those learning experiences, to solve problems, determine next steps, and move forward.   All good.

When I was about 26, my first marriage ended.  I was very young and naïve and had never lived on my own except for living in a college dorm prior to getting married.   All of the sudden, I was on my own for the first time in my life.       Was I sad and depressed?   You bet I was, but I also said to myself I would swim and not sink. 

During the time I was working through my divorce, I played tennis a couple of times a week, took classes at the local junior college, worked out at the gym, and attended church on a regular basis.  I never sat around and moped. Was I happy?   I had my ups and downs, but in general, yes, I was happy.    Happy is a relative term.   I have a great family that supported me.   They were always there for me, as were my friends.   I kept busy and believed in the long run I would be fine, I just had to “work through the middle”. 

I did not meet my current husband until over 10 years later.  I had told my Mom that I was never getting married again, I was just fine with being single.   I met Sal on vacation in Mexico.  I was supposed to go with a friend, and she backed out at the last moment.   I thought about cancelling myself, but for some reason did not.  I met Sal while flying from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta.  Also, on the flight were two cousins from Canada.   When I told them I was by myself, they asked me to tag along with them if I wanted.    After I checked into my room I decided to go to dinner.   As I walked into the restaurant, I saw the two gals in the restaurant sitting with a few other people, including Sal and his friend Joe.   I sat next to Sal at dinner and the rest is history.  We had quite a bit in common and a similar philosophy of life. Talk about synchronicity. We have been married for 29 years. 

I remember when Sully Sullenberger talked about how he landed the airliner safely in the Hudson River when both engines were disabled after hitting a flock of birds.   He mentioned his career had prepared him for that moment with a background that included flying gliders, an instructor pilot, and airline pilot, just to name a few.   To quote Sullenberger, he said at the time: “One way of looking at this might be that for 42 years, I’ve been making small, regular deposits in this bank of experience, education and training. And on January 15, the balance was sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal.”

Sullenberger’s quote really struck me at the time and when I was writing this blog, I looked for it so I could directly quote it.    I couldn’t have said it better. 

Now when I look back, I truly know I have a great life.  The pieces all fit together, and every day is a learning experience, the good and the bad.  I am happy, but that doesn’t mean every moment is glorious.  It does mean that I appreciate my family and friends, learn from my experiences, and look forward to the future.   Life is good.