Happiness is shutting down the glowing screen and stepping away from the wreck for just a bit and taking a barefoot walk in the grass after the rain.

And happiness is pausing long enough to peer up into a thousand tiny branches.

It’s sticking out your tongue and sipping up the rain from the tips of trees…

Or letting the edges tickle your shoulder as you walk beneath.

Happiness is stretching out and reaching up…

To feel the world around you, so you can more fully see.

Happiness is pressing close,

And stooping down and leaning in to all the wild things.

Happiness is cupping tiny cheeks in the palm of your hands and looking  into little eyes to whisper kind,

“I’m so glad you’re here. You’re a good, good kid! I’m thankful God made you.”

Happiness is checking on the grapes…

And discovering that they’re all plump and ripe and ready,

And ridiculously sweet.

It’s letting summer’s sugar squirt out onto your lips and dribble down your chin.

Happiness is plucking from the vine and showing off your cheesiest smile…

Or your sheepish grin.

Happiness is running with your grapes!

Because, after all, you’ve got grapes! So you should run.

No, really. I dare you. Run with grapes.

Who couldn’t be happy doing that?

Happiness is enjoying life and God by opening wide the eyes and heart to take it all in.

Perhaps you could use a walk, too? To see that happiness isn’t so very far away.