Happiness

Fruit stand in Gilroy, CA

Think of all the essays you have read about what makes a person happy. What is the "secret" of a happy life? Last weekend I taught the first weekend of a three weekend class for people that want to teach English in other countries. We had a great class with 11 students. I also invite guests to come that are ESL students that my class students can practice teaching. It is a lot of fun and makes me feel good that I am helping people get jobs and I am sending teachers out into the world that will help improve their students' lives. I got home yesterday and I was a little depressed. I couldn't really understand why I was depressed yesterday, I had a good day, spent the time day with good people that were excited and appreciated my help.

Low water at the resevoir.

I wasn't happy, and I didn't know why. I think one problem is going from a high to a low, the extremes are not good for me. This month my daughter, Lindsey, is in my class. She went home early because she was a little sick. I worried about that all during the second half of the class. But, while she was in class I was really happy because I got to share my skills with my daughter. I knew that she would be a better teacher when she goes to Korea because she would gain the knowledge I could give her from my experience. That makes me happy. I think what is important is helping others improve their life. Whether it is a spouse or a child of yours, or a friend or a stranger, what makes a life worth living is improving someone's life. You can improve your life by making a difference in the world.

Cow in Gilroy!

Happiness is hard to reach if you do it for yourself. When I feel down I think about things I can do to improve other lives, which will improve mine, but letting me know the world is a little better from what I have done. Tomorrow I will go to Sacramento and work with a couple of people that want to improve their lives, and I have a unique talent to help them. I will then go to Berkeley and talk to people about my weekend class to see if they need what I can give them. Today Sarah and I went to get her paper signed so she can play sports this year. We then went to the store to get school supplies because school starts next week. Then she came over and just hung out at my house for a couple of hours. I wonder if my kids know that just spending time with them is what makes me happy!