The Picture of Happiness – Fresh Air and Hard Work

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month!

Today’s guest is Pam Mellskog, she says:

Working with my Dad on the farm in Galena, Ill., where I grew up makes me happy because it gives me a practical way to thank him and my Mom for all the ways they have loved and helped me over the years.

I shot this photo on April 23, 2006, during my first visit back home to the Midwest from Colorado after becoming a new parent that February with the birth of my son, Carl.

I took off my gloves and took a break from repairing a barbed wire fence in the field with Dad that afternoon to shoot this photo and others — reminders of the countless afternoons we have spent working together in the fresh air since I was a kid.

Fresh air + childhood memories + giving parents = happiness for Pam Mellskog

Fresh air + childhood memories + giving parents = happiness for Pam Mellskog

Pam Mellskog has reported for Longmont’s newspaper, the Times-Call, since 2001. In 2008, she ventured into writing in the first person. She posts her “Mommy Musings” parenting blog on the newspaper’s website at http://mellskog.pmpblogs.com/. Between the lines, readers may sense how the bedlam her three young boys bring to family life simultaneously shreds her nerves and blesses her to the core. For this reason, she likens childrearing to breadmaking. However tedious the kneading, however long the rise time, nothing satisfies her yen for wholesome living more than smelling bread baking, buttering it hot out of the oven and sharing it around.

Pam Mellskog has reported for Longmont, Colorado’s newspaper, the Times-Call, since 2001. In 2008, she ventured into writing in the first person. She posts her “Mommy Musings” parenting blog on the newspaper’s website.
Between the lines, readers may sense how the bedlam her three young boys bring to family life simultaneously shreds her nerves and blesses her to the core. For this reason, she likens childrearing to breadmaking. However tedious the kneading, however long the rise time, nothing satisfies her yen for wholesome living more than smelling bread baking, buttering it hot out of the oven and sharing it around.

The Picture of Happiness – My Apple Tree

It’s The Picture of Happiness Month here on Dr. Stephanie.

Today’s guest is Dr. Kaycie Rosen Grigel.  She says:

Our apple tree blooming in spring is a sweet reminder of my daughter’s birth and of the fruits yet to come.

 

For Dr. Kaycie Rosen Grigel, Springtime + Apple Trees = Happiness

For Dr. Kaycie Rosen Grigel, Springtime + Apple Trees = Happiness

 

Dr Kaycie Rosen Grigel owns the Golden Naturopathic Clinic, LLC in Golden, Colorado.  She specializes in hormone balancing, digestive disorders, immunity, and head and neck pain.  She loves gardening and cooking and can often be found having outdoor adventures with her husband, two daughters, and dog Sultana.

Dr Kaycie Rosen Grigel owns the Golden Naturopathic Clinic, LLC in Golden, Colorado. She specializes in hormone balancing, digestive disorders, immunity, and head and neck pain. She loves gardening and cooking and can often be found having outdoor adventures with her husband, two daughters, and dog Sultana.

The Picture of Happiness

What is happiness?

Is it the absence of sadness? The presence of contentment? Freedom from mental illness?

When I was in graduate school over a decade ago, I had a professor who frequently said:

Happiness is not a hot dog

I have pondered the meaning of that statement ever since.  Does it mean that hot dogs really aren’t that delicious? That the pleasure you get from eating a hot dog isn’t real happiness? That happiness cannot be achieved in the consumption of material things?  It remains a mystery.

In the interest of unraveling that mystery, I am dedicating the month of May to learning more about happiness. I have invited colleagues, friends and family to contribute pictures of what makes them happy – even if the happiness gained is only momentary.  They couldn’t send pictures of kids, pets or lovers – that’s too easy! But had to come up with other things that made them glow with pleasure.  I can’t wait to see what they come up with!

In the meantime I will be looking for the one thing that makes me the happiest.  Here are a couple runner – ups:

I took this photo while at the top of a ladder and holding the camera over my head. Is there anything happier than robin's eggs?

I took this photo while at the top of a ladder and holding the camera over my head. Is there anything happier than robin’s eggs?

The are few things that make me happier than paddling a canoe or kayak.

The are few things that make me happier than paddling a canoe or kayak.

Weddings: The bring me happiness. So do white shoes, good photography and lace

Weddings bring me happiness. So do TOMS shoes, good photography and the color white.