Happiness

 So, my buddy Joe sends me an email this morning, talking about happiness. And, he sends a link to a video.  I'll link it here. At about the 12:00 mark it talks about Louisiana and the happiness index of its people. It turns out, Louisiana is a very happy place, but not for the reasons you might suspect.

Louisiana has its problems.  Poor roads, a bad tax structure, Laughable government, yet we are ahppy, especially in the rural and poor communities.  Why?  Family and friends.

Belle and I decided seven years ago that we wanted out shop to be a place where family and friends could gather.  To share a meal, to connect, to laugh and commiserate.  It has a full kitchen and a half bath. It's a gathering spot.  We "cook big" on Sunday and anyone is invited.  We generally have between 6 and 15 people eating lunch on Sunday. We never know who is going to show up, and they never know the menu.  My one caveat:  If you don't like what we're cooking, Popeye's is just down the road.

As I think back, some of my happiest times were when I was dead-broke, raising kids.  Someone wold call.  "Hey, we are cooking crawfish.  Bring something to throw in the pot and come on."  or "I need some help.  We're killing a hog.  Tell your wife to make a salad, and come on."  Louisiana knows how to party on the cheap.

Happiness isn't about possessions.  It's about family and friends and community.  It takes a little effort, but it's a choice.  If you are not happy, make some changes.  Make a big stew and invite some friends.  Join and local church and get involved.   Volunteer to help out a the high school concession stand.  Learn to laugh.  You can't be unhappy when you are laughing.