When Am I Happy?

I’m not just a “happy” person. I really have to work at it, otherwise, I go to dark places in my head. You’d never know by looking at me, but sometimes, it’s just hard to find joy.

However, it’s not impossible.

I can think of three places/times where I am happy.

The first one is on a basketball court. There is a freedom I feel there, coaching in practice or in a game that I find nowhere else. It’s just the two teams and a ball, that’s it. I don’t hear the crowd or anyone else. I’ve heard some college and professional players/coaches talk about the “quiet” they feel on the court, and I totally agree. It’s middle school basketball, so it doesn’t get that loud anyway. The teaching part is good too. So much to be taught and if you aren’t listening, grab a ball and run. It gets attention refocused real quickly. The court is simply an extension of the classroom. Our season finished up yesterday, so I’m a little melancholy about the whole thing because, while our teams weren’t very good, if I had a bad day, I knew that in 90 minutes, I was going to be ok! 🙂

The second place is anywhere we are camping. That sense of peace and calm settles in right after we get the camper parked, the supports set, and our site set up the way we want. I sleep better, the food tastes better, and everything is more vibrant and colorful (no, I’m not high in my camper!). Whether we are with family or it’s just the two of us, being away from home and shedding that “home” skin to be in a place where no one knows you feels good. As a teacher, I’m always watched. As a camper, I’m just a fat, balding, white dude driving a red truck, pulling a little trailer. I like that feeling. 🙂

What about you? Where are you happy? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!