the pursuit of happiness

So you know that movie? With Will Smith and he plays this down on his luck guy who never gives up and in the end gets all he's ever wanted? Except his wife--I don't think he got her back. Anyway, the morale of the story is you work hard and you get what you want or deserve. Okay, that's a real bastardization of the morale but it's close. And then that phrase is used by a lot of people who are against socialized medicine because it infringes on the right to pursue happiness by actually making people happy. Or something weird like that. I read it in an article--how the constitution gives us the right to 'pursue' happiness but does not actually entitle us it. Well, that's a whole different blog because I have too many thoughts on that topic. Thoughts that drive people are apart and therefore are better left unsaid. Thoughts that evoke reactions that cause me to think ill of people. Funny how politics work like that. Not that I see health and well-being of a nation as politics, rather as an obligation. Never mind that, I want to think about happiness. I'm happy. Or at least I think I am. in fact, I'd say I'm happier than the average person and happier than the majority of people with whom I fraternize. That may be an exaggeration but I think it's true. I'm not afraid to buy my own flowers or get a pedicure during the winter when no one's going to see it. I like flowers and I'm not going wait around for others to buy them because they probably won't pick up on the fact they're my FAVORITE gift. And I'd love to show off my pedicure in some new sandals but I get the pedi b/c it makes me feel good and I can enjoy how great they look in the privacy of my home even during winter's coldest months. My weakness has always been men. Not always, just as of late...in my 20s. Okay, just one guy, Mr. Garner but he was potent. I've manned up (which is more than I can say for him, ha!) and realized that it's okay not to look like Jennifer Garner or sing like Kristin Chenoweth. Besides, I don't want to look like a man and I can sing well enough already that I don't want to belt at an obnoxiously high decibel. So in general, I am happy. Truly content and very, very happy. So now I wonder...why aren't the people around me? Or are they and I just don't see it? I mean people are always complaining to me and trust me, I don't really mind but if things are so awful why not just fix it? If you hate your school then stop complaining and get the hell out of there. If you think you can't get a guy b/c you're too ugly or fat then try your charming personality instead. Or if you have no confidence in what you're doing why are you doing it? I've been called selfish....by people I liked and people I disliked. I'll agree to that. Somewhat. The weird thing is I tend to be more compassionate and generous than any of the people who said that about me. Regardless, I'll take selfish over pushover and helpless anyday. Because most of the time I'll do whatever I can to help someone. Like host them for an entire weekend or pick them up/take them to the airport repeatedly for free! Or talk someone down or out of a bad mood...if only you could know how many times I have done that. Or reason with someone or advise them. That's not something selfish people do. Anyway, what the hell am I talking about...I was supposed to be in bed by now. Thank you to my four-letter word for waking me up. I hope everyone's happy....come on guys, I can't live your lives for you!!! I should note, I did get flowers last week. And I didn't even buy them myself. :)