Today we talk happiness

**The Inspiration for this post came from a friend.  She knows who she is**

I have a confession to make.  It's probably something that a lot of you have probably figured out from me by now.  If not then it's okay.  I try my hardest to hide it in the darkest recesses of my mind.  Whenever I have to think about it, it's only in the moments that it plagues my life like the black that killed people in Europe during the mid 1300's.  I, like most of the people I tend to associate my time with, have depression.  Unlike the plague that killed so many people, this can't spread from person to person.  It's impact on my life however, can sometimes be quite severe.  I've been thinking a lot lately about happiness.  Where does it come from?  How does one find it?  I believe that everyone in the world deserves to be happy.  I also believe that there are things in the world that can provide you with happiness.  But, talk to a depressed person on the brink of a depressive episode and they probably won't be able to tell you the last moment that they were truly happy.  Everyone deserves to be truly happy.  But, to them it's something that is missing in their lives.  Things will make them happy.  A new child being born, getting married, getting a raise...etc will all make them feel happy.  But, this only lasts for a brief flash.  On the inside they are full of emotions, that at times, they can't even begin to describe.  They want to share them.  They want help but don't know how anyone can actually help them when they can't really help themselves.

Why am I writing this, you might be asking yourself?  Am I just throwing myself a pity party?  No.  I'm writing this because I'm tired of depression being tossed to the side like trash.  I'm tired of people treating others who have depression like they have the plague.  Everyday people hide behind masks, fearing the ridicule they will face if they show their true face.  They hide because they don't feel like there is any help out there.  They feel like no one will actually listen to them, or that anyone will understand what they are going through.  Everyone deserves happiness.

-Jeremy-  

Today we tell a story

Random story time:  I love when a drunk woman will come down to the office looking for something to eat.  she'll ask me if the restaurant, which is attached to the hotel I work at, is open.  She'll then ask if I can make her something.  This is followed by her wondering over to the ATM and smashing buttons.  It's even more fun when followed shortly behind her is her drunk husband looking for the same thing.  What turns this whole Situation bad is when shortly followed by the drunk woman and her drunk husband is their not so drunk son.  He doesn't want to be there but he has no where else to go.  His parents won't let him stay in the room by himself because he's so young.  So, he's forced to follow them around as they wonder around in their drunk stupors.  The moral of this short little story is this, if you're going to get drunk make sure you bring a babysitter.

-Jeremy-  

Today We Smile

I Believe That Peace Can Happen.  I Believe That One Day It Will.  I Don't Know How Long It's Going To Take, But I Believe That One Day It's Going To Happen.  I Believe That If We Try, We Can Be The Difference That The World Needs In Order Make That Peace Happen.  I Believe That A Hug Can Brighten Anyone's Day.  Yes...Anyone.  I Don't Like To Be Touched Very Often And I Have Plenty Of Stories That I Could Share With You When A Hug From Someone Has Helped Me.  I Believe That A Smile Is Contagious.  If You Take The Time To Smile At Someone, Then As They Are Smiling Back At You, Someone Else Will Think That They Are Smiling Back At Them(or they will just smile at someone), Who In Turn Will Smile At Someone, And The Smile That You Started Will Infect A lot Of People.  Don't Give Up When The Random Person Doesn't Smile Back At You, They Are The One's Who Need The Smile's The Most.  I Believe That Everyone Has The Right To Believe, Act, Be, Do, And Say What Ever They Want As Long As It Doesn't Personally Affect Or Harm Another Person.  I Don't Think Anyone Else Has The Right To Judge Someone Else Based On What They Choose To Do With Their Lives.  It's Their Life.  They've Chosen What They Feel Has Made Them Happy.  You Should Choose To Be Happy For Them Instead Of Choosing To Waste All Of Your Time And Energy Trying To Destroy Their Happiness.  I Believe That Everyone Has The Right To Be Happy.


Two Things That Make Me Happy:


Carambola's(starfruit)

These Amazing Little Fruits Can Be Everything From Sweet, Tart, And Bitter.  They're Always Juicy and Delicious.  Right Now, They Are In Season.  Instead Of just Finding Them At One Grocery Store I've Been Finding Them At A Few Of Them.  They Are However A Pretty Penny.  So, If You Feel Like Going A little Exotic, Go In With A Friend And Indulge Yourselves On One Of These Amazing Little Star Shaped Fruits.  I Promise That You Won't Be Disappointed.  You Might Just Find That You have A New Favorite Fruit.  If You Do Purchase One, Just Keep In Mind That you Eat The Whole Thing As You Would An Apple.  The Skin Does Have A Little Bit Of A Leathery Texture If The Fruit Isn't Ripe.  But, That Doesn't Mean The Fruit Isn't Still Delectable.

Plum Starburst  

This Flavor Of Starburst Is My Favorite.  In My Mind It's Not As Sweet As The Other Flavors, And It Has A Slight Sour Taste Which I Really Enjoy.  If You Haven't Ever Tried These Little Treats, Then I Suggest That You Try Them.  Unlike The First Thing The Makes Me Happy, If You Purchase A Little Pack Of Starburst, It's Not Going To Cause You To Break The Bank.  That Will Probably Cause You To Smile, So Make Sure That You Do So While Looking At Someone So That You Can Infect A lot Of People.

-Jeremy-

Whats With All Of The Capital Letters?

It's Christmas Day, I'm At Work, I Only Get Two Hours Of Sleep Today, I Only Get One Day Off Work (meaning i've worked the last 4 days i have today off and i have to work the next 4 days), And I Couldn't Be Happier.  JMP Are Going Up To Spend The Night With The Grandparents.  For Some Reason, This Year I've Been A Little Bit Better About Christmas.  If You Didn't Know, I Don't Really Like Christmas.  I Have A Lot Of Reasons For The Dislike Of This Day And I'm Going To Keep Them To Myself.  This Year I've Actually Enjoyed Myself.  Thank You To A Great Wife, Melissa, And A Great Daughter, Paige, Who Have Kept The Spirit Of The Holidays Alive In Our Home.

Quickly Before I Go- Remember, As You're Opening Your New What Ever's, The True Meaning Of This Day.   For Me It's A Celebration Of Life, Of Love, Of Sacrifice, And Of Peace.  For You It Might Be Something Else.  Just Remember That Christmas Isn't All About Santa And His Presents.  Or, Maybe To You It Is...I'm Not Going To Judge. :D

-JMP  

I passed

It seems that life certainly is looking up.  First, there was more in my pay check than I thought.  There was twice as much in my paycheck than I thought.  You don't know know how much of a blessing that is until you only have one person in the household working!  Also, I received a bonus which was an extremely amazing blessing.  Second, I passed all of my classes.  This is a first for me.  I have never passed all of my classes.  There has always been one class that I've had a hard time even going to, but not this semester.  It seems that school isn't kicking my butt anymore.  I passed, and I'm extremely happy about it.  If you know at all what happened this semester then you'd be just as happy as I am.  Now, I can honestly relax for the next few weeks until I have to start school again!

-Jeremy-

 On Tuesday it was Paige's birthday.  You don't realize how much time has actually gone by until you're celebrating your babies first birthday.  We were taking all of these pictures, celebrating like a good parent should, and looking back at a year of...well I wouldn't necessarily call it bliss.  It's been full of adventure.  If you're a parent then you know that being a parent isn't all candy canes and lollipops.  It is however, one of the best experiences that you'll ever go through.  Paige keeps us on our toes and brings new challenges everyday.  I wouldn't change a thing.  The following is a post of pictures from birth to now and a video.  It includes her birthday. 

 You had Jaundice when you were born and had to lay in a briefcase.  You hated it and cried the whole time you were in it. 

 You and I decided that we needed to have "bobo's" (pacifiers) together.

 This was the first day you started eating food.  I think this was peas.

 Shortly after that you decided that you needed to feed yourself.

You then decided it was okay to stand up in your crib.  Also, it was at this point you started banging on the wall because you knew our room was right behind it.

You then started standing up to everything and shortly after that started walking.  We're still not sure about this one.

 You saw this at the grocery store one day.  You threw a fit when we walked away from it so we had to buy it for you for your birthday.

 You turned one. 

 You had no objections of diving into your cake.

You were also willing to share.

-Jeremy