30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 15

 "Happiness."

[Mike] With the news just being beyond horrible lately, it's affecting me a bit. There is big stuff happening; it's hard not to think about. It amplifies life's normal stresses to think of this stuff going on. 

I have positions I've applied to, that I'd like to hear back from. As that kinda simmers in the background, I'm trying to make this blog something interesting and worth reading. I've been working on adding a means for Crystal to make her photography available for prints and download through the site as well. 

Researching, writing, and designing art for more articles I had a great story about the legends of ancient lizard people that lived in catacombs under what is now downtown LA. But with everything going on now, it just seemed facetious. Like who cares, the nation, the world is in turmoil.

In our own life, budgets are tight. We miss people and friends, but everyone is busy including ourselves. It's hard to make plans or have the funds to go do things these days. Even if budgets and calendars permit, sometimes we're tired. 

Crystal gets exhausted and kind of down after a stressful week, and it sounds "hard" to get in the car and drive someplace or were worried about the car's condition to go too far. There's a lot of work to be done around the house, so we feel like we "should" do that instead of doing something fun or going somewhere. It's always something. 

I know, I know - lame first world problems, but it's real enough to us, and to know all that crap is going out there in Washington and abroad, it has been tough. But rather than just be another screaming voice, I thought I'd answer a series of great journal prompts about happiness. I'm not even sure what makes me happy these days, so let's find out. 

[Crystal] What Does Happiness mean to you? 

- Coming home after a long day being out together and finding a great movie or show on TV right at the beginning.

- Years ago, speeding down the freeway at night with my friend, windows rolled down, heavy metal blasting in his SUV. On the way to some party, or to see some chicks when I was young, that was really fun. 

-The look on Crystal's face when she cooks something delicious for us. 

- Crystal and I and a friend going on road-trip.

- A really good science or science fiction, movie, story, show that makes me think "what if?" Conversely, a really, really dumb or over the top movie.

-The feeling of pride I used to have when we liked our jobs and had all kinds of friends. I guess it was a sense of belonging. 

- When I or we do something complicated like; fix, clean, make or build something that seems surprizing we were able to accomplish. 

- Cooking and the feeling of creating a delicious dish to enjoy. 

- Being a clown, getting laughs and positive attention. 

Would you describe yourself as a naturally happy person, or an unhappy, worried person? 

Despite it all, I think I am naturally a happy person. My imagination gets away from me sometimes, and I worry or I get depressed. If anything, I get upset with myself for not being able to stay in a default happy mode.

 But there is a fundamental want to be happy, especially for the few I accept as close friends. I'm really cognitive of people's moods and vibes, and if they're grumpy, I'm grumpy. So it makes sense for me to keep socializing in a positive, and humorous realm. 

I remember when I was very young, being able to sense when adults (like my teachers or family) were stressed and bummed. Their half wince "everything is fine" smile you give to a kid was upsetting to me. I could tell that's not what they were feeling inside. I'd pretend I bought it, and move on but think, man I never want to have adult problems and look like that. 

Though I do live with anxiety and depression, I love music, and interesting conversation and cooking and life. There is want to overcome the anxiety that is so prevalent, I refused to believe it was affecting me in the first place. So while anxiety/depression is something I've had to accept and live with, I still think I at least have the want to be happy and positive even when I'm down. 

What is a time you were happy and when did you make someone else happy?

There has been a lot of great times. A time period I was generally happy was the years around the turn of the century when I was young, and around late '07 through most of '08. I had a good job, we were reacquainted with my old friend and making new ones, we went on a lot of trips and did amazing things. 

A particular random time though was around 2003. We were on our way to Vegas with another friend and stopped at that casino with the rollercoaster at state line. It was just a pit stop, and we might have ridden the log ride and played the penny slots.

Just a little stop on the way somewhere else, on a random weekday morning. (It was cheaper to go during the week) I was heavy at the time, we didn't have much money, and we had to pack tons of our own booze. But I remember just being so happy and excited to be young and heading into Vegas to the clubs and pool and shows with Crystal and our good friend.

On our way back, we stopped and rode the terrifying roller coaster in the pouring rain. We screamed and laughed as a deluge of chubby rain drops smashed into our faces. We came off a bit shaken but laughing and laughing. On the way back, we ran into the thickest fog we still have yet to see, on a mountain overpass with no guard rail. Traffic came to a halt. We couldn't see a thing and it was horrifying. 

Then this big rig bravely carried forward, and we followed suit using his tail lights as a guide. We held our breath, crept forward along trying to stay close enough to see the lights of the truck, but with enough distance that if it went over, we'd have time to react. 

Somehow we made it down, but oh no, Crystal had to pee. We finally took this exit called Towne off the 210 in search of a bathroom. We didn't find one so we turned on a quiet street called Fruit I think, and poor Crystal had to pop a squat and pee next to the car on this rando street. I had a good laugh. It was just a quick trip but what an adventure. I'll never forget how happy and excited I was. 

When did I make someone else happy?

I dunno. I try. Oh, I got Crystal Tiffany earrings for her birthday one year. I put them in several different embarrassing boxes, wrapped in newspaper, and presented it in a 99 Cent Store plastic bag. She was embarrassed and frustrated getting through that packaging, but very happy when she saw that teal blue box.   

So that's it. I have to say, it feels terrific to work out the things that have made me happy. It not only helps to remember the good times, but now that I have something to look at in print on what makes me happy. Maybe I can refer back to it when feeling stressed or down. So give it a try. Thanks for reading. Take care.

 -Mike Olguin

What does Happiness mean to you? 

Happiness is an everyday event in my life. It happens from the moment I wake up each day. A smile stretches across my face with ease over the slightest of things. A song on the radio I like, a cool breeze on a warm day, the sound of hummingbirds whizzing around in the morning air, hearing my husband laugh at my lame jokes, a simple compliment from a coworker, seeing positive things happen to FB friends or just getting likes on an image I've posted.

The more happiness we exude, through a smile, laughter, good vibes or positive actions, the more we seem to thrive on all of the compounding positivity all around us. Happiness is contagious. So spread it around!  

Would you describe yourself as a naturally happy person, or an unhappy, worried person?  

I would describe myself as an extremely happy person. More so, I think before I lost my father though. I never knew sadness until the day he passed. Before then I guess I was "Disneyfied". A little too happy some might say. I often told my parents that I had never had a sad day in my life. That even when things were tough, and all seemed lost I could still manage to laugh, smile or remember a fond moment in my life and find happiness again in a heartbeat. 

 What is a time you were happy and when did you make someone else happy?

I think one of the happiest moments of recent recollection was completing the 5K at the Santa Anita Derby with Mike by my side! We trained for months, getting better and better at our stamina, distance and time and before you know it, race day came. We signed up pretty last minute, but got our t-shirts and bib numbers the day before and eagerly awaited for that early am call time.

Butterflies filled my stomach as we lined up with thousands of other eager runners that day. We were pumped and ready, and full of incredible levels of energy and joy before we even began.

As the gun fired, away we went!  Our level of excitement and exuberation peaked. We were doing it! Together, we were running our very first race and the feelings that we experienced were indescribable. I think that day, we were both happy and in turn made each other happy with overwhelming feelings of accomplishment, and satisfaction. 

Santa Anita Derby 5K 2015

When did I make someone else happy? 

I would hope that every single day I make someone happy, even if only for an instant!  I spend a lot of time on the phone and getting my customers to laugh or smile seriously makes my day and I would hope it makes theirs too!

Cooking at home seems to illicit happiness as well. I'm getting better at constructing my meals, seasoning, multi tasking and getting creative and the more confidence I build, the better I get!

I think I make my mom happy as I'm advancing in Camera Club, now as a board member and the Creative Chair. And just the little things, like letting someone have the right of way at a Stop Sign, having a quick delightful conversation with a grocery clerk, or saying positive things on social media to others.

I think there are so many small ways we can make a positive influence in eachothers lives to cause happiness. In this world of political unrest, hate, bigotry and terrorism the best thing we can do as good citizens is demonstrate love and kindness towards one another. Thanks for hearing us out and maybe getting a smile or two over our blog on happiness. 

-Crystal Olguin

August 17, 2017