What Makes a Person Happy: SEASPAR, Darien Park District, Home

Hi, everyone!

Before I start, let me suggest you grab a cup of tea/coffee, maybe a glass of wine, then sit back and read this blog. I'm thinking you'll probably have to do some thinking during/after you read this.

Have you got your drink of choice? Good!!

My "day" job (or rather, job that is considered a day job, although I actually work late afternoons and evening) is teaching music. I teach a Musical Theatre Workshop, Glee Club and Voice lessons at the . I teach Voice lessons and Keyboarding out of my home (and occasionally go to other homes as well).

However, I have to say teaching Performance Choir, Keyboarding and Voice for SEASPAR has been an unexpected "happy moment" in my life lately. SEASPAR is the extremely dedicated group of people who provide activities and services for special needs people throughout DuPage County. It is a premier, outstanding organization that provides invaluable services and programs to our county. Check out their website at www.seaspar.org It is an amazing organization, and I count myself extremely lucky to be able to work for it.

As last week was winding down, I got to my Thursday night when I teach my SEASPAR classes. I was tired. Thursday is usually my last day of teaching, and then I spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday doing house "stuff," trying to preserve our herbs/veggies from our garden for the winter and lately trying to get the outside ready for winter. I just didn't think my energy level was up to what it needed to be.

Then I had this "rogue" thought... "Nancy..." (I asked myself)..."what really makes you (or anyone else) happy?" Not just a person or a certain "thing"...but what kinds of situations make me happy? Then I took it further...of all of my interests what specifically within those interests makes me happy? SO, I thought of my interests...

(1) Music/Theatre

(2) Books/Literature

(3) Nature

(4) Ancient Civilizations/History

Within those interests I made a mental list of all the things that make me get that warm, fuzzy feeling when I either do or think about them. The books/literature was easy - Pride and Prejudice all day! (I could go on for HOURS about that book/movie...) Nature - I love the walks outside. Preferably in a wooded area. Ancient civilizations/history - I am a NUT about different religions, Egypt, pre-Columbian history and anything to do with civilizations BC (another topic I could on and on about!).

Then I got to music/theatre. And I thought REAL hard. And I finally came up with it - it's the students. Every student I have gives me something to think about. Every student I have is a unique, interesting human being who adds to my life in his or her own special way. I have Michael on Thursday nights who is so enthusiastic, how could I POSSIBLY not be as excited about Performance Choir as he is? Becky on the same night is a HUGE inspiration as I see her trying her best to say the words to our songs. There are literally no words to express what I get out of teaching Ben keyboarding. 

My private students are some of the best as well. While Cali always "shoots from the hip," Ashley and Sarah are a bit more reserved. Stephanie is DEFINITELY not afraid to try new things and ask questions, and Cody never ceases to amaze me with his talent. Ronnie and Jamie? Two of the most polite students (and did I mention talented?) I have ever had. Maddie? I expect great things from this one...mark my words. I have known Isa and Aidan (and Ian) for a few years, which makes them not afraid to voice their opinion to me, and I count their nanny, Joy, and parents among my friends.

Then I have my Glee Club and Musical Theatre students. Outstanding EVERY one of them - Sam, Abby, Catie, Grace, Lainie, Isa, Elizabeth, Jenny, Emma, Grace, Lily, Madison, Mattie and Olivia. These students make the rest of my "happy areas" worthwhile.

What did I learn from this little "thinking" lesson? I learned that it's not necessarily "things" that make a person happy. It's situations and the people you are with in those situations that make this walk we're all walking meaningful. I also learned that just because you only see a person 25 minutes/week or just an hour a week, it doesn't mean that person won't have a huge impact on your life.

I plan to do this exercise once a month. It took me by surprise and helped me prioritize what was REALLY important.

My suggestions? Here you go:

(1) Think about or write down what makes you FEEL happy. Not what SHOULD make you feel happy, but what actually DOES make you happy. Nothing is too insignificant. Seriously.

(2) Within those areas, exactly WHAT makes you happy when you are in those areas? Really tune in to how something makes you feel. Trust your gut.

(3) Give thanks and acknowledge how grateful you are to have these things that make you feel happy. No need to announce it to the world. No need to voice it at all if you don't feel like it. Just acknowledge it. You don't need to change it. You don't need to make it any better. Just acknowledge the good feeling.

(4) Re-evaluate every now and then. Different things/situations make you happy at different times.

Take a walk and think. Or just get into a comfy chair with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, and think. Then think about how grateful you are that you have these little/big/medium sized "things" that make you happy.

That's what I did. And it makes me happy.

Thanks for reading. As always, eat well and be happy!