Sometimes It Pours (his)

Since starting Hapacus and becoming public about our business plan people often say, "now you have to be happy all the time."  I guess in some ways that might be true.  People certainly don't want to learn how to be happier from someone who's grumpy or depressed, but I often reply that learning to be happier is not about always being happy.  It's about changing our thinking patterns and controllable circumstances to maximize our potential happiness and be more mentally resilient to life's challenges.  In fact, the studies have shown that it requires some unhappiness (i.e. challenges) to truly be happy.

That must be true because this week has tested our happy.

Within two days this week the following happened:

• We transferred to a new IT system for our business (frustrating).
• The left rear tire on our car locked up and must be towed and repaired for $400-500.
• AAA denied the towing request for our car because of a clerical error.
• My cell phone quit working and now I have to upgrade because my current phone is considered "vintage" (when did 3 years become vintage?).
• A vendor quote came in twice as high as expected.
• Virginia's life insurance policy application was denied due to various health issues.
• We learned that two of our Hapacus funding sources backed out.
• Our electricity went out one evening.
• Our son, Joshua, had an emergency appendectomy in Arizona.

If you spread those things out in a year or even a few months it might not seem so bad.  But this all occurred within 48 hours.  We were definitely experiencing a down cycle.

But, as we always say, the human spirit is resilient.  We were very down the day after these things had occurred and we didn't talk much.  A bit of a shock to the system.  But the day after that we were back on the horse and figuring out new solutions.  And, in the scheme of things, we're doing fine. 

Here's the gratitude side of that list:

• Our new IT system is a definite improvement.
• We have another car and it's working fine.
• We eventually worked it out with AAA to get the car towed.
• The upgraded cell phone will allow me to be more productive.
• We're still negotiating with the vendor but we'll get to a reasonable compromise.
• Virginia's health is generally fine and we plan on her being around for a long time.
• We have other strategies and savings to keep Hapacus going.
• The electricity went back on, but only after we sat on the porch and talked as a family under a beautiful night sky and almost full moon.
• Joshua is fine and we have a lot of family in Arizona to help comfort and visit.

Life is hard.  It's always something, right?  But being happier is not about things going right.  Happier is about being capable of meeting life's challenges and bouncing back.  In the good times we experience more joy and in the bad times we're more resilient.  We learn, we grow and we deepen our relationships with those who matter.

I don't wish for more days like those described above, even if I can find a silver lining.  But I don't consider them the enemy.  I consider them the process.  All I can do is be prepared for the process and sometimes just hang on for the ride.