Don't Worry, Be Happy

Each night as I put my dinner plate in the dishwasher my mind wanders to what sweet, chocolately dessert is sitting in the pantry or freezer, just waiting for me to devour it.  I’m a lover of chocolate chips and cookies, brownie batter is a weakness, and most recently I’ve rekindled my love with the cold, nutty, chocolately, waffle cone goodness called a Drumstick.  No need to wait for the ice cream man, this girl has Drumsticks stocked in the freezer- vanilla Drumsticks, chocolate Drumsticks, even triple layer chocolate Drumsticks. Oh, yum! 

But I have to confess that as I reach in the freezer, mouth salivating with delicious expectation, my mind takes a sad spiral, “Is this a healthy choice? Could I run fast enough or far enough to work this thing off?”  I’ve been through enough days of personal training, even working at gym for a while, to know my answer should be, “probably not.” 

In this instance I could try to offset my indulgence by running first.  I mean, I enjoy running… on treadmills (people tell me is easier than running outside, but I frankly don’t care.  I ran my first, and more than likely my last, 5k this past November at a conference I was attending in Amelia Island.  But let me tell you, Florida sands are meant for relaxing, making sandcastles, and nodding to sleep as the waves crash against the shore… NOT for running).

So back to where I am… standing in my garage with the freezer door open, reminded that life is all about choices.  While standing, Bob Marley’s voice (just like superman swooping down to save the day) sings in my head… “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” 

I think Mr. Marley was onto something.  He discovered that making the decision to be happy is incredibly powerful.  Every moment of the day we are making choices; choosing what to do, what to say, what to eat, what to think about our friends, family, work, and our very own selves.  These choices are very powerful and shape our lives.

So instead of laboring away on my treadmill, I choose to be easy about what makes my heart sing.  If I make myself happy first, the things that I want to come easier.  I have found that I actually DO run farther and faster when I am happy.  I sing as I run, sometimes skipping, take high powered dancing breaks (my secret form of interval training), and enjoy every ounce of my workout. 

Today, I’ll eat my Drumstick because I know the happiness it brings will spur me on to bigger, better, healthier, and most importantly, more enjoyable moments.  So go and enjoy whatever your ‘Drumstick’ is and watch how the power of happiness leads you to even greater things!

Delightfully,

Melanie

[real life] encourager