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.
