Inherently Happy

The Meanness Test - Ep. 410

The Meanness Test
Helps you gauge your threshold for emotional unrest.
What would it take for you to turn Mean?
How far must you be pushed to fully vent your spleen?

 

[entire text below]

 

Ep. 410 - The Meanness Test

We begin as always 
with the Happy Creed.

We believe in Happy, 
in Balance and Growth, 
of being Mindful and Grateful,
Compassionate and Understanding.

Yowza
Haha
My Happy Friends!

Would you like to take the Meanness Test?
It can help you gauge your threshold for emotional unrest.
You just ask yourself what it would take for you to turn Mean?
How far must you be pushed to fully vent your spleen?

With some people, all it takes is a Monday morning,
With others, someone would have to burn their house down,
What’s it for you? What can cause you to rage out with little to no warning?
And make your inner vengeance monster escape, and go to town?

Let’s test it, shall we?
Not for real, but just to see.

Let’s say you drive up to a four-way stop and it’s just you and one other car,
You got there first, so you have the right of way, but they take it away from you.
Do you lean on the horn? Do you race after them and tailgate or follow from afar?
Do you internalize their actions and let them decide what you do?

Or, let’s try this--you get to work early in order to get a jump on the day,
And someone chooses that moment to grind their coffee beans nearby,
The sound is so loud it sends all your thoughts into wild disarray,
So, do you start plotting their downfall, or just shrug your shoulders, smile and sigh?

Or how ‘bout this one? You’re pulling into a parking space, but you’re off center, 
So, you back up a tad to re-do it and get blasted by someone leaning on their car horn!
You get out and come face to face with some abusive, screaming tormentor,
Do you listen quietly or do you wish someone would’ve kept him from ever being born? 

Still feeling good? Or are you starting to crack?
Do you regret agreeing to this test? And wish you could take it back?
Hey, you can stop at any time, but you’ll miss the lesson if you do,
Because I am only citing examples that happened to me, in order to help you.

Here’s the capper. You come back early from your lunch break and are met by your boss,
He proceeds to berate you at the top of his lungs about something he blames you for,
And the kicker is, you didn’t even do it, so it leaves you at an utter and absolute loss,
So, do you fire back? Do you read him the riot act and bang his fat head against the door?

You want to know what I did?
I did not act Mean--heaven forbid!
Sure, I felt the unease,
But this is about Happy, so, please!

With the stop sign runner, I laughed and said “go get it, son!”
With the coffee bean grinder, I filmed myself reacting to all that fun!
With the parking lot yeller, I wrote down his license plate while I smiled,
And with that toxic boss, I talked to him calmly for an hour until he was no longer riled.

Having a sense of humor and the heart of a storyteller keeps me focused on the tale,
‘Cause it’s only when I take things too seriously that I start to crumble and fail.
I’ve laughed off punches, and insults, and bullies galore,
I’ve even helped others find the funny where they couldn’t before.

That’s my secret, that’s my trick, when someone makes me mad, I make a joke,
It helps me release all the fury before I suffer a Meanness stroke.
I want to stay Nice and I want to stay calm, it’s how I want to be, and what I want to do,
And why I drew a cartoon of someone being pushed off a cliff with the words “Okay, fine. Now I forgive you.”

Haha
Yowza

Happy Understanding - Ep. 409

Being able to understand opposing viewpoints isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength, 
Challenging our assumptions can help us enhance our critical thinking,
Boosting innovation and sparking creativity on a whole new wavelength,
Allowing us to face the future bravely, well-equipped and unblinking.

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Ep. 409 - Happy Understanding

We begin as always 
with the Happy Creed.

We believe in Happy, 
in Balance and Growth, 
of being Mindful and Grateful,
Compassionate and Understanding.

Yowza
Haha
My Happy Friends!

We’re all part of the same species, all human beings here on Earth
The things that are true of any one of us, are also true of the rest,
We all live in the brief mortal span between death and birth, 
We all laugh, cry, eat, sleep, drink, relax and occasionally get stressed.

We can understand each other just by virtue of being part of the same Human Race,
We know the extremes of our own lives and can imagine the same in another’s,
Perhaps differing in intensity, frequency, quality, type, context or pace,
But we feel, think, live and love along the same lines as our sisters and our brothers.

And understanding this fact is the first step towards appreciation and respect,
We may not always agree, or even always get along, but we can still connect,
Our approaches may differ, but our goals are things we all hate to neglect,
And our failures are what we learn from despite being the things we’d like to reject.

We can cultivate our imaginations, and practice empathy, and compassion,
As long as we don’t discount others for not being part of the home team,
For they may still have things to teach us, as wisdom is never out of fashion,
And sharing different perspectives on humanity is easier than it may seem.

Being able to understand opposing viewpoints isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength, 
Challenging our assumptions can help us enhance our critical thinking,
Boosting innovation and sparking creativity on a whole new wavelength,
Allowing us to face the future bravely, well-equipped and unblinking.

Haha
Yowza

Mood Happy - Ep. 408

Handling your moods is your right, you can make them obey, 
For that is The Inherently Happy Way.

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Ep. 408 - Mood Happy

We begin as always 
with the Happy Creed.

We believe in Happy, 
in Balance and Growth, 
of being Mindful and Grateful,
Compassionate and Understanding.

Yowza
Haha
My Happy Friends!

Why are we all saddled with these various human moods?
What reason is there for such a mess of sensitive interludes?

The primary moods, as I call them, of Mad, Sad and Glad,
And the secondary moods of Guilt, Fear and Hope--
Why are we subjected to each and every emotional doodad?
What is their purpose, their measure, their scope?

Why must we be victims of such strong feelings that so intrude, 
Are they not a sign of great weakness and all that that may include?

To that I say, nay, 
It’s only weakness to be at their mercy, letting them win night and day,
Being able to handle them is our right, get them to obey,
For that is 
The Inherently Happy Way.

It’s a human thing, it’s very plain, 
Please allow me to explain!

Glad is for bonding and for making close friends,
Sad is for empathy and for sharing troubles and pains, 
Mad is a warning of danger, and unpleasant ends.

Fear is the jolt that helps us escape ropes and chains,
Guilt is the shame that compels us to change and make amends,
And Hope is the outlook that encourages both hearts and brains.

They are tools, they are instruments, they are partners, pals, and chums,
And when wielded expertly they can help you face whatever comes.

So, make friends with your moods, get to know how you feel,
Practice them till you own them, or they’ll control your steering wheel.
Only use them as needed, don’t go wild, or get unhinged,
And the passions that might’ve overwhelmed you, will barely leave you singed.

Haha
Yowza

Happy Apathy - Ep. 407

Sometimes hitting snooze may be just the thing you need, 
Pressing pause on worry now to help you later succeed.

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Ep. 407 - Happy Apathy

We begin as always 
with the Happy Creed.

We believe in Happy, 
in Balance and Growth, 
of being Mindful and Grateful,
Compassionate and Understanding.

Yowza
Haha
My Happy Friends!

Do you ever just want to do nothing at all?
People, current events, the news, 
Everything just makes you want to hit snooze,
Staying in bed curled up in a little ball?

Well, sometimes that may be just the thing you need,
As long as you acknowledge that it doesn’t have to last,
You can use it to take a break until the storm has passed,
Sometimes turning off worry can help you later to succeed.

We all need some downtime now and then,
It doesn’t make you a quitter to press pause, 
It can even help you bring new life to your cause,
And help prevent total burnout now and again.

Haha
Yowza

 

The Inherently Happy Rule - Ep. 406

Always Aim for Balance and Growth.
For when you reach for dynamic sustainability,
It helps you achieve not just one but both.

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Ep. 406 - The Inherently Happy Rule

We begin as always 
with the Happy Creed.

We believe in Happy, 
in Balance and Growth, 
of being Mindful and Grateful,
Compassionate and Understanding.

Yowza
Haha
My Happy Friends!

There’s lots of rules out there describing good behavior and proper conduct,
There’s the Silver Rule, the Golden Rule and even the Platinum Rule too,
But there’s still exceptions to those rules--allow me to deconstruct:
Let’s start with the Golden Rule: Treat others as you want them to treat you.

Sounds good--at first, but what if I don’t want to be treated the same way that you do?
Maybe you like brutal honesty, so you decide to attack someone while they’re down,
You’re just following the Golden Rule--so how can that plan possibly fall through?
It’s because not everyone needs the same things, overwatering can make you drown.

A cousin to that is the Silver Rule: Don’t treat others how you don’t want them to treat you.
That’s fine, right? Well, what if you hate it when people ask you for help when they need it? 
So, you, in turn, never ask for help either, even when you could really use it too, 
So, you just create a situation where nobody helps anybody and we all lose bit by bit.

Then there’s the Platinum Rule--well, that’s got to be the best one, right?
Treat others the way they want to be treated. What could go wrong with that?
Well, what if they want to be mistreated because they feel they deserve spite,
And the reason they feel bad is because they are bad--when they are not a doormat!

The problem is--all those rules are relative, They depend on who likes to be treated how.
Except one, of course, The Inherently Happy Rule: Always Aim for Balance and Growth.
Now you could say that’s relative too--Balance and Growth depends on what’s happening now,
But when you reach for dynamic sustainability it helps you achieve not just one but both.

Let say you’re overwhelmed, things are getting frantic and you’re getting stressed,
You want to give up, but you can't because you haven't finished your work yet,
But if, instead, you stop trying to fight everything, which is only making you more obsessed,
You’ll see that treating things as connected challenges--not hardships may be your best bet.

Haha
Yowza

Happy Context - Ep. 405

Happy Context means taking all things into account, 
Not assuming you know everything based on a first impression,
There’s usually more to a person than that initial amount,
So, give people a chance beyond just that first session.

 

[full text below]

 

Ep. 405 - Happy Context

We begin as always 
with the Happy Creed.

We believe in Happy, 
in Balance and Growth, 
of being Mindful and Grateful,
Compassionate and Understanding.

Yowza
Haha
My Happy Friends!

Sometimes we only get part of someone’s story and as a result may miss the meaning,
So we jump to conclusions thinking we got all we need, or all there is to know,
Thus dismissing the critical thinking part of our brains with no plans for reconvening,
And in so doing we underestimate others, and wind up with nothing to show.

For when you judge people based on a single action or trait, you ignore all other factors,
Culture, upbringing, thoughts and experiences all play a part in who we are,
And when we discount someone’s unique circumstances we encourage their detractors,
And shortchange ourselves as Variety is what’s helped Humanity get this far.

Happy Context means taking all things into account, 
Not assuming you know everything based on a first impression,
There’s usually more to a person than that initial amount,
So, give people a chance beyond just that first session.

Now, sure, this still doesn’t mean you’re going to get along with everybody you meet,
You could give them every opportunity to reveal their true selves and they still fall short,
Some people don’t even give themselves a chance to grow and so will settle for defeat,
And that can prove a draining burden that it is not your responsibility to support.

I’ve tried giving some people the benefit of the doubt, but they just lashed out instead,
I let them know that if they kept that up, then I might stop returning their calls,
But rather than change their behavior, they doubled down, completely ignoring what I’d said,
It can be a pity when every attempt at raising up others results in catastrophic falls.

But then there’s those who at first seem awful, but after giving them a chance are great,
Because sometimes they need another opportunity to get to know you too,
All of us can put up walls to protect ourselves, and lash out at things that we hate,
But when we put in a little extra time, effort and intention we can sometimes break through.

I’ve had friends who later betrayed me, and I’ve had bullies who became my defenders,
So, I’m not saying every person you meet deserves a second chance, or a third,
But that we should still try to look past the surface to separate supporters from offenders,
And let them do the same in return to clarify the image that was previously blurred.

Haha
Yowza

Happy Hundred Thousand - Ep. 404

It’s crucial that we maintain our own sense of integrity and self-rule, 
Success isn’t chasing someone else’s prize, but building something with meaning,
It’s not about polishing someone else’s imitation crown jewel,
Manufactured by those that can’t even be bothered to see which way people are leaning.

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Ep. 404 - Happy Hundred Thousand 

We begin as always 
with the Happy Creed.

We believe in Happy, 
in Balance and Growth, 
of being Mindful and Grateful,
Compassionate and Understanding.

Yowza
Haha
My Happy Friends!

It took a little under seven years to reach ten thousand downloads on this podcast,
And now it’s taken a little over nine months more to reach one hundred grand,
So every month since hitting ten K, that old seven year record has just been blown past,
So, thanks! It’s great people get the Inherently Happy Way, I’m so glad you understand.

As more people listen and share, 
We all become more aware, 
But then--with them come the promoters and the sellers, 
Those advertising gals and marketing fellers,

They say, ‘I see that your podcast is gaining some ground,’ 
‘You know what’d make it better? Selling our stuff--by the unit, liter, bushel, and pound!’
‘We have books, we have drinks,’ 
‘We have apps with hyperlinks!’
‘We’d love to turn your platform into our vending machine merry-go-round!’

But to them I ask this, ‘have you ever even listened to an episode?’
For it may not be the kind of thing that you require or expect,
They’re reminders for Balance and Growth, not a place for your trucks to unload,
The only guest is me and the only merch is mine designed to help folks connect.

Then sometimes I receive arrogant and aggressive emails demanding my reply,
They give me deadlines and ultimatums and warn me not to waste their time,
So, I don’t--I simply don’t respond, not even to thank them for stopping by,
I don’t much care for bullies, so I don’t even bother sending them a “no thank you” rhyme.

And besides, I’ve met corporate sales people before, I know the tactics they employ,
Everything is urgent, and limited, and will make all your wildest dreams come true!
When what they really want is ownership and to take away one’s independence and joy,
They pressure and threaten and before you know it they control everything you say and do.

But that’s not Balance and Growth! That’s not the Inherently Happy Way! 
I make these shows to try to distill what I learn about life into something I can use,
To help me the next time I feel stressed, angry, upset or unsure after a really tough day,
And if people want to share that--great! it’s available to all to listen to as you choose.

It’s crucial that we maintain our own sense of integrity and self-rule, 
Success isn’t chasing someone else’s prize, but building something with meaning,
It’s not about polishing someone else’s imitation crown jewel,
Manufactured by those that can’t even be bothered to see which way people are leaning.

So to those who just want to get your hooks into me, well, maybe you need to listen too,
Maybe you’ve let the world make you forget that you’re Inherently Happy as well,
Maybe you’ve lost your way, and need to start deciding for yourself what’s best for you,
It’s never too late, the time is now!--and maybe your soul isn’t something you should sell. 

Haha
Yowza

Pleasantly Happy - Ep. 403

The importance of being Pleasant is not to be dismissed,
You may think it means being a pushover, but I disagree,
It can sometimes take far more strength than just making a fist,
Because it requires you to have empathy to a significant degree.

[full text below]

Ep. 403 - Pleasantly Happy

We begin as always 
with the Happy Creed.

We believe in Happy, 
in Balance and Growth, 
of being Mindful and Grateful,
Compassionate and Understanding.

Yowza
Haha
My Happy Friends!

The importance of being Pleasant is not to be dismissed,
You may think it means being a pushover, but I disagree,
It can sometimes take far more strength than just making a fist,
Because it requires you to have empathy to a significant degree.

I encounter people in bad moods on a regular basis,
And I sometimes want to tell them to go take a flying leap,
But that just pollutes the waters of my mental oasis,
Resulting in nothing more than a psychological garbage heap.

But being Pleasant, on the other hand, can sometimes work wonders, 
Once they realize I'm unflappable, they can stop pushing quite so hard,
They might even apologize for their attitude and their blunders, 
And then I get to be the bigger person and someone they can’t disregard.

I grew up on a street that provided access to the cemetery in my town,
They called the street Pleasant to make it seem nice and quiet,
I imagine a name like Cemetery Lane wouldn’t have had the same renown,
And if it was called Death Road, the town parade might’ve turned into a riot.

But Pleasant Street wasn’t always peaceful, there were fights, funerals and speeding cars,
We lost more than one beloved housepet over the years to drivers not paying attention,
And there were dog attacks, rivalries and acts of bullying that left lasting scars,
As well as forms of cruelty beyond levels of above-average comprehension.

So I learned to be tough because in my house you needed a thick skin,
And yet I didn’t want to grow up to be cold, bitter, angry, hateful or afraid,
So I left Pleasant Street, while still carrying some of those feelings deep within,
And ridding myself of that pain has been something of a lifelong crusade.

Who else but such a one as that would do a weekly podcast about Balance and Growth,
Trying to come to terms with the unpleasantness that can sometimes bubble forth,
But I don’t just want to pretend to be Pleasant, which can come off as fake and forced both,
I try to find real reasons to actually feel and be Pleasant letting Happy be my True North.

Used to be that behind my smiling mask was a face of pure vengeance and hot fury,
I couldn’t fight all the Mean People at once, so I sat brooding, plotting their eventual demise,
Someday, I vowed, when least they expected it, I would be their executioner, judge and jury,
And then I’d laugh, and bury them so deep that no one would ever catch wise.

But the further I got from Pleasant Street, the more I could let those bad old feelings go,
And as I did I realized that underneath all that darkness there was light,
I remembered the days long before bullies ever came into my life and brought me low,
Back when people arguing who could claim to be my best friend was the only fight.

I was Pleasant and Happy, and what I once was, I was sure I could be again,
I just had to strip away all the old bad habits, aggression and grudges I was holding on to,
Not for anyone else, but for myself, I needed to decide there and then
That I would aim for Balance and Growth in all that I say and do.

It took me a minute, and it’s not smooth sailing always even now,
I’ve had to suffer through heartbreak and tragedy, near death experiences and loss,
But even when I get stressed I still find causes to smile and you want to know how?
I remember that Happy comes from within, and knowing that makes me my own boss.

Haha
Yowza

Happy Authenticity - Ep. 402

Happy Authenticity means you follow your own path, 
Not to impress others, or to keep them off your back,
But because, maybe, you prefer cartooning to theoretical math,
And you love what you have, rather than hating what you lack.

 

[full text below]

Ep. 402 - Happy Authenticity

We begin as always 
with the Happy Creed.

We believe in Happy, 
in Balance and Growth, 
of being Mindful and Grateful,
Compassionate and Understanding.

Yowza
Haha
My Happy Friends!

I used to try to conform to what other people thought I should be,
I wore long pants and studied science despite preferring art and wearing shorts,
I signed my name in cursive, and ate whatever was put in front of me,
Which led to bitterness, nervousness and record-breaking nausea by all reports.

I wanted people to like me and to want to be my friend,
Like that time in my early youth when I was positively adored, 
Before fears and growing pains marked a distinctly downward trend,
And I was both mocked and shunned by an ever-growing horde.

I become increasingly desperate to turn things back around,
But no matter what I did, it seemed to be the exact wrong thing,
No matter the tactic or effort, I seemed forever to be losing ground,
Still, I hoped life was a pendulum and that I was eventually due an upswing.

But there’s something to be said for being friendless, for it means having no peers,
Since without those, one has no peer pressure, which makes conforming a waste,
And so I was free to work on myself and to, one by one, dismantle my own fears,
Allowing me to pursue my own interests according to my own sense of good taste.

I could freely admit that I didn’t like certain foods, or long pants, or cursive letters,
I allowed myself to be silly when I felt like it and quiet when I ran out of things to say,
I pursued the arts, stopped going to church, and refused to wear pullover sweaters,
I hung out in cemeteries contemplating the universe, and managed to find my own way.

Because I gave myself the freedom to try new things to see what would stick,
If I started a new hobby that didn’t last, well, I could at least say I tried,
And because I didn’t need the approval of others, their demands had no kick,
I could also be totally honest with myself because who would prefer that I lied?

Happy Authenticity means you follow your own path, 
Not to impress others, or to keep them off your back,
But because, maybe, you prefer cartooning to theoretical math,
And you love what you have, rather than hating what you lack.

So, does this mean I sleep out in the wilds with neither job nor home?
Not at all, I earn my rent doing office work and helping out where I can,
But I also write, draw and dream, letting my heart soar and my soul roam,
Making my life into something I like, as Happy now as it was when it all began.

Haha 
Yowza

 

Happy Change - Ep. 401

Everything fluctuates--Life itself is Change,
It can affect plans both short-term and long-range.
Will you fight the inevitable or will you be able to adapt?
Tapping into hidden reserves of resilience previously untapped?

 

[full text below]

 

Ep. 401 - Happy Change

We begin as always 
with the Happy Creed.

We believe in Happy, 
in Balance and Growth, 
of being Mindful and Grateful,
Compassionate and Understanding.

Yowza
Haha
My Happy Friends!

Everything fluctuates--Life itself is Change,
It can affect plans both short-term and long-range.
Will you fight the inevitable or will you be able to adapt?
Tapping into hidden reserves of resilience previously untapped?

If you embrace the changes you find, are you being too passive?
If you challenge them, do you risk your aggression getting too massive?
Like with anything, it depends on what the change is.
Is it the collapse of an empire, or a bubbly drink losing its fizz?

Is something being created or destroyed?
Is something improving or deteriorating?
Does it make you enthusiastic or annoyed?
Is it empowering or debilitating?

Is something getting bigger or smaller?
Are things moving faster or slower?
And which do you prefer? Thicker, thinner, shorter, taller?
And would you adjust the frequency if you could? Higher or lower?

Change comes in many forms, Death for one can mean Life for another,
The early bird catching the worm could be some baby bird’s mother.

Growth is Change, but Balance allows us to manage it,
Reality is in a constant state of dynamic flux and sway,
We do our best as time and resources permit,
Hoping and struggling, trying to win the day.

We must remember to temper our expectations for both good and bad, 
Good things will change, and bad things will change, so don’t get stuck, 
But keep agile and adaptable even as you feel glad, mad or sad,
So that you can move with the fluctuations and not be a sitting duck.

Haha
Yowza