Day 3: Happiness

I was going to post this yesterday, but I just couldn't find the inspiration, so here I am today to ponder happiness. I'm having some trouble coming up with a picture that just screams out happiness, because there really are lots of things that make me happy. Only for the fact that I don't think that this will be covered in any of the future posts, I will talk about one of my favorite things: Running!

Yes, I have quite the collection of pictures of me running. As you might guess, the top two pictures are throwbacks from my days in high school track!

I could go on with a long, drawn-out story about how I came to love running so much, but that really isn't the purpose of this post. (Although, that really is a story that is worth telling...in due time.) Believe it or not, running really does supply a source of happiness for me. For some people, maybe not so much, but for me, yes, absolutely! When I'm running, it's like my "me-time" when I can just reflect on life. I love running outside mostly for the fact that I like the tie to nature I feel when I'm out there on the road. I can breathe in the fresh air, and see what nature has to offer. Also, there is the added perk of the endorphin rush one gets after exercising! (aka runner's high)

I am grateful for the source of happiness that running is to me, among all of the other little things that elicit happiness in my life. I truly believe that life is simply too short to spend it getting down on little things. I know that there are many people who suffer from chronic mental illnesses that inhibit them from fully experiencing happiness. Sometimes, I get down in the dumps, for no particular reason, and nothing compares to the heaviness that envelops my heart. However, when I get to that point, I've learned to take a step back, re-evaluate, and realize that there are plenty of things to be happy about! In my literature class, we have been reading through Keats' various odes, and they're pretty depressing, if you ask me. John Keats himself was a morose guy, who was always living in fear of death. As it would turn out, he died from tuberculosis when he was in his thirties. I wonder how much longer he would have lived had he had a better outlook on life? Hmm...food for thought.

What is your source of happiness? I'd love to know! :)