Bluebird of Happiness

Saw a documentary recently on Brian Wilson, he of the gifted ear. After battling crippling depression for years, Brian has finally found some equilibrium in his life. Each morning, he sits down at the piano and randomly plinks out tunes - no fingering exercises, no scales to a metronome. After he finished talking about his routine, he looked right at the camera and said, "You know, it's hard work being happy."

How profound. It really is hard work. At least for exquisitely sensitive people like Brian.

Gretchen Rubin is in the process of writing a book about happiness, its pursuit and obstacles, and is chronicling her efforts in her blog. I highly recommend it. Gretchen was a former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who I know slightly from my days in the Gila River Valley. Her blog is a lot of fun, but also very earnest and achingly honest. I highly recommend you check it out.

http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/