Fuel for Thought

Finding Your Road to Happiness

"It might seem crazy what I'm about to say
Sunshine she's here, you can take a break
I'm a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don't care, baby by the way
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you want to do!"

Life moves at lightning speed.  The older we get the faster it seems to speed by us.  "Wasn't Christmas yesterday," we ask ourselves?  "Wait, it's my birthday again?"  When you're out on the road those little dotted lines tick away time faster than a metronome.  We lose track of days and time hurrying from shipper to receiver.  Some days you chase the sun.  Sometimes it's the moon that keeps you company through the night.  

Through this hurried chaos of life over the road it's easy to lose track of the little things that make us smile.  It's hard to find thing to make us laugh.  Especially when another driver has parked on the fuel island... again.  Or that truck stop that you really needed to have an open parking space because your 14 hour clock is out of hours is, of course, full.  It is often too easy to find things while we are out on the road rushing about our daily lives that make us grumble and grump.  

But what about finding things that make us happy? There is a 100 days of Happiness challenge going around, that at first I thought I'd just pass over.  But did you know that 71% of the people who start it fail because of lack of time?  Time!  71% of the people can't find enough happiness in their life, 5 seconds out of a day to take 1 picture of something that made them smile that day?

So I got to thinking.  Scary I know right?  Trust me, Allen opened the windows to let the smoke out of the truck.  But we are truckers, all of us, heavy haulers to quick and agile expediter vans.  We see the best of this country every day!  Our scenic view changes every day.  We see beautiful landscapes, rustic buildings, and the beauty in the crumbling architecture from a forgotten era.  We see amazing trucks with dazzling chrome polished with pride from the hard-working truckers who worked their way up from the fields and cold-storage caves.  We witness acts of incredible kindness, and genuine humanitarianism.  We see the calloused and cracked hands of hard-working Americans who built this country.  We can be a rowdy bunch full of smartastic jokes and sarcasm, and a robust laughter.  We are known to always be willing to lend a helping hand.  Surely, WE can find happiness everyday, 100 days in a row!

So I challenge you, all of you, to find time, take a minute out of your busy day to see that moment of happiness.  Is it that fresh hot cup of coffee the waitress at the mom and pop diner just brought you?  Is it the fresh air at the rest area in the mountains?  Is your fur baby copilot snoring... again?  Is there a cute dog trying to guard its truck while its driver is away?  Or maybe a breathtaking sunset over red rock somewhere out west?  Or perhaps something obscure and funny only to you that no one else will possibly understand.  Maybe a "you had to be there moment" between you and your codriver or significant other?  All it takes is a few seconds.  

Take a picture and share, somewhere, anywhere, if you are so inclined.  Of course, some things may be too personal to share, and that is ok too.  Remember this is for you.  Yes YOU, the one frowning and shaking your head.  The big grumpy man saying "I'm not a happy, bubbly person!"  You don't have to be that kind of person.  This is about stopping to smell the flowers for just a moment.  No one has to see.  And I won't tell.  I promise!

Get out of that rut of frowning and complaining about everything all day long.  It's bad for your health, it's bad for your heart, your blood pressure, your mental state of mind, and generally can make you an unpleasant person to be around.  Smile a little.  It lowers your blood pressure.  Makes you breathe easier.  Loosens your muscles. Relaxes you.  It really does work.  Take the time to actually stop and notice the little things everyday that make you smile.  Be conscious of it.  Share it.  Make it a habit. You'll be happier and healthier for it.

Post it here with us.  We'd love to see your moments in life, your little happiness.  If you post on Facebook or Twitter use hashtags so we can follow you.  I will be taking pictures and posting too.  Remember this is your challenge, your way.  Na na na na na, lovin' it! (insert McDonald's Theme music) Tag us of course, #ExpeditersOnline. Tag me if you'd like, #SierraSugar. And use the Tag #100happydays for others to see and share in your happiness. Come on, drivers, let's not be part of that 71%!  Every single one of you does a much harder job than the average American every single day.  This challenge should be easy peasy pumpkin pie.  So set's do this and do it at 100%!

So what is my happy moment for today?  My camera-shy little Missy girl.  She did not want to look at the camera!  LOL.  She gives us hours of entertainment and laughter every single day, and has for the past 12 years.  She is our constant companion in the truck and at home.  We love her even when she is driving us crazy.  But then that is what a furbaby is for, don't you agree?  She is my #1 of #100happydays.  What is yours?

~Sierra Sugar