{"id":960,"date":"2013-12-19T21:04:21","date_gmt":"2013-12-19T21:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=960"},"modified":"2013-12-18T21:16:29","modified_gmt":"2013-12-18T21:16:29","slug":"happiness-in-a-box","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2013\/12\/happiness-in-a-box.html","title":{"rendered":"Happiness in a Box?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Image<\/a>
Image courtesy of nuchylee\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I’ve had more doctor appointments than usual, lately, because of the episode with my eye. So, I’ve tried to “lighten” things up by finding bits of humor. I recommend this for any heart that is heavy with the burdens of chronic illness. No doubt about it, laughter or even a simple smile at something humorous can truly lift the spirits and make it easier to cope with what chronic illness and pain throw at us.<\/p>\n

So, on one particular day, I was passing by a restaurant called “Nirvana.” And in front of the restaurant was a sign that said, “Happy Hour 4:30-6:30 PM Daily.” \u00a0This struck me as very funny – and poignant, too.<\/p>\n

There was a whole restaurant going by a name reflecting ultimate happiness or realization – and its “Happy Hour” was limited to 2 hours!<\/p>\n

Don’t we do this, too?<\/p>\n

We dedicate our lives to Christ, to praising and loving our Lord wholeheartedly. But sometimes, we limit our uplifting moments to a finite period of time: private prayer minutes, specific church services, windows of time when we are having a “good” day. Our Christmas Joy might only be consciously upon our lips and in our hearts from December 1 through the 25. Our Easter wonder might be similarly limited.<\/p>\n

Happiness runs deeply in the souls of believers. And, yes, it is true that there are times when we are sorrow-filled, frustrated, and weary. But that happiness, and along with it the love the Lord has for us, cannot be confined to specific spaces and times. It’s waiting to bubble up and over any tears we shed or cries we utter – if we let it.<\/p>\n

Happiness in a box? Not unless it’s wrapped up with a pretty ribbon and destined to be spilled open and spread around – like a good, humorous moment shared or a song sung for all.<\/p>\n

Amazing what you can discover on the way to the doctor’s office!<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,
\nMaureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I’ve had more doctor appointments than usual, lately, because of the episode with my eye. So, I’ve tried to “lighten” things up by finding bits of humor. I recommend this for any heart that is heavy with the burdens of chronic illness. 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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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