Tuesday, December 31, 2019

My 2020 Wish for You: A Truly Happy New Year

I'm a writer; words are my toys. I play with them all the time -- in my head while I'm driving; in my Moleskine notebooks while I'm doodling; on my screen while I'm at the computer. This past week, I've been playing with Happy New Year!

The phrase is so automatic, it's becoming the December version of, "How are you?"

"How are you?"
"I'm fine. How are you?"

"Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year to you!"

We hardly hear the words. This year, my wish for  you is to hear the words, and then make them come true. In 2020, I hope you discover true happy.
I hope you find big HAPPY. Dream-come-true happy, the way I did with the publication of Look Up: Your Unexpected Guide to Good in 2019. That was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacular moment, and I'm still enjoying every bit of the follow-up activities. Major happy.

But ... every day isn't spectacular, is it? No worries. On even our worst days, there are moments of good. No matter what's happening in your life, I hope you find and appreciate the little happy: An unexpected card from a friend. A remarkably good cup of coffee. A chat that makes you laugh. A wink that says, "I know you." 

In 2020, I hope you find the day-to-day little happy in novels that read like poetry, movies that make you cry, daisies that last for weeks and weeks. I hope you find it in a shared meal, a solitary walk. Pet those puppies and kittens. Push a kid in a swing. Practice breathing in a long check-out line.
You may or may not have a huge HAPPY in 2020. Those days are all the more special because of their rarity. That said, I absolutely guarantee that little happy moments are waiting for you. Every single day. 

May this be the year you look up and see them. 






3 comments:

Divers and Sundry said...

"the day-to-day little happy" is a lovely way to describe it. Thanks for this :)

Teri said...

Jan, I bought one of your books for me to keep and the rest to give away as gifts. Every time I turned around there was somebody who needed to receive your book. I’ve given them all away. It is so rare to find a book that almost everyone needs in their home. I’ll be looking for my happy this year. Love you, Jan! You’re a blessing for people you haven’t even met.

Jan said...

Teri, what an absolutely lovely note! Thank you! Sending love your way, along with wishes for lots of happy in 2020!

Divers and Sundry, I'm so glad you like the "day-to-day little happy" description! Your post was a terrific "little happy" to start the year off!