NEPHART.COM

When are you most happy?

Oh happiness.

Finally, a question

that knows my name.

I’m most happy

when faces glow

not for cameras

not for permission

but because joy showed up

uninvited

and stayed.

When someone I’ve just met

looks at me

and says

“hello”

like they mean

you matter.

When a door opens

for an elderly stranger in a mall

and nobody claps

nobody records

nobody posts.

Just kindness

doing its quiet job.

My happiness grows tall then.

I’m happy

when a shop welcomes you

like you’re walking

into your own ship.

Yes, of course you have to pay

but hey

hey

hey

there’s sunlight on the bay

and suddenly life

doesn’t feel so heavy.

I’m happy

when I forget

things that hurt me

a long time ago.

Not because they vanished

but because forgiveness

walked in

and hatred

lost its seat.

I’m happy

when streets don’t echo

with begging hands

even though I know

every silence

has its own complications.

When color returns

to people

who were once

sigh-less.

Breathless.

Unseen.

When people unite

not to shout

but to sing.

One song.

One joy.

Different voices

same pulse.

I’m happy

when someone falls on the street

and people rush to help

instead of rushing for angles.

Instead of zooming in.

Instead of stealing pain

for content.

I’m happy

when I cook something

and someone says

“this tastes like love”

even if they don’t use those words.

I’m happy

when loving people are around.

And listen

if you don’t have money for the flight

don’t panic.

If your mind can board

your good memories

and your heart becomes light

you still travel.

You still arrive.

I’m happy

when I can give more

with what I already have.

Because abundance

doesn’t come from having

it comes from giving.

I’m happy

when I don’t have to deal

with people

who call me sick.

Yes.

110 degrees.

Lying in bed.

No.

It’s not a fever.

It’s the fever

of happiness.

I’m happy

when my community shows up

with flowers

not because I’m gone

but because I’m here.

So…

what is happiness for me?

It’s not somewhere else.

It’s not later.

It’s not when I win.

It’s here.

Right now.

When someone

is listening.

When someone

is reading.

When someone

feels this

and realizes

they are not alone.