Column: The pursuit of happiness
Happiness is where you find it, and often not in the usual places.
Today I found happiness standing at the corner of Highway 50 and Fairview Drive in front of Slot World, waving a two-sided sign and wearing a red foam clown nose.
Happiness wore a grand smile and waved to motorists, any and all who would look at the simple messages printed by hand on each side of the sign.
I've seen happiness here before on a few other occasions wearing the same red-foam nose and waving signs, each with different messages meant to deliver genuine heart-felt warmth and bring out the smiles all too often suppressed in people.
I don't know why happiness selected this particular intersection to spread smiles and her own style of infectious good feelings.
All I know is that whenever I see happiness there, I never fail to smile at her signs and to wonder why she does this.
I met her for the first time today. Her real name is "E.D." -- at least that is the name she gave me -- and she is a Carson City resident with a full time job. Pretty much like most others.
But from what little I know about E.D. thus far, I sense she isn't like most of us.
Instead of planting herself in front of the television after a hard day's work and becoming absorbed in the world's negativity, she takes one of her hand-made signs written with simple affirmations, goes out and waves it in front of dozens, perhaps hundreds, of passing motorists.
Not exactly the way most of us would choose to spend our free time.
E.D. is living proof that hope is real, and does indeed exist. I wrote about hope in my last column, being categorically convinced of its existence.
Upon seeing E.D. this afternoon out there at the same busy intersection I had seen her before, I conclude that she is a human manifestation of hope.
I have a hunch that it lives within this woman. Through a simple, single act of cheer, she is shining the light of hope for others to see.
My intuition tells me E.D. has special reasons behind spreading happiness to others. There is a purpose behind her labors to turn frowns into smiles, and otherwise instantly warm hearts that perhaps have grown stone cold over time.
I don't know what that is yet, but I intend to find out.
E.D. has consented to an interview, so there will be more to follow. I don't think I'm the only one curious about who she is and what motivates her to do what she does; especially when she could choose to do something else.
On behalf of those who have been touched by her happiness and her kind efforts to help people see the same silver lining she does, I want to thank her for trying to make a positive difference in the world.
Our community, our state, our country and, yes, this globe we all live in could use more people like her. What she does truly has a positive, far-reaching affect on others.
I am proof of that.
Keep on keeping on, E.D.