It Ain’t Easy, But Don’t Worry… Be Happy!

My best friend killed himself because he was sad.

It was a sadness that infected his very core; it may have been neurological or psychological, I’ll never know from where it emerged. It’s the same sadness that I see permeating our society today. We have been told that in order for society to move forward… we must all stand still.

On the surface, it’s a small sacrifice but people are creature sf habit and as such, tend to react badly to change.

So I thought I’d ask some people, some of whom are Canadian icons (and yes, that still counts) to share what makes them happy. That’s it. I’m hoping this simple act will make us all reflect on what makes each of us happy.

I know what you’re thinking and yes, I feel my genius is unrecognized as well. 

My first victim, contributor is the other divine Miss M, I mean Ehm, specifically, Erica Ehm, the noted Canadian writer, actor, songwriter, entrepreneur and TV host. And to be clear, she may even be a demi-goddess; the chick just doesn’t seem to age at a normal rate.

She is best known to Canucks like myself as a pioneering video jockey at the Canadian cable television station MuchMusic, which used to be the coolest music network on any continent. And most importantly, she’s a good person.  

Yep, she’s met some cool folks over the years…

 

Seriously, she reminds me of my daughter; they both care deeply about making sure our society recognizes women for the kick-ass, take-no-prisoners warriors and leaders they really are. Can you imagine how this current crisis would’ve unfolded or been handled if more women were in positions of political power?

But enough of this sappy stuff. Here are five things that make Erica Ehm happy. Read the list, then make your own. That’s an order.

ONE)  Being creative. Making something from nothing. 

My creative engine isn’t as efficient as I’d like, but I have started my first-ever fictional novel so there’s that. It’s all about a  man who battles hordes of slack-jawed zombies to seize the ultimate prize. I call it, “My Trip to Shoppers Drug Mart For Toilet Paper.”

 

TWO)  When my kids are happy I’m happy. Same goes for my husband.

Personally, my wife is happy when she’s teasing me mercilessly.

 

THREE)  Going for a run and feeling healthy, strong and powerful.

My idea of a workout these days is waking up before ten am. Bu that’s just me.

 

FOUR)  Working alongside like minded women who know how to get it done.

I actually miss the motley crew of bellmen I work with. The guests, not so much.

 

FIVE)  Being at my cottage away from responsibility.

I don’t own a cottage but writing is a great escape from responsibility and reality in general.

 

And there you go. This one’s short and sweet but powerful and effective. (I hope.) Take what you will from this and stay healthy, friends.

See you in the lobby again someday, kids…

About The Hook

Husband. Father. Bellman. Author of The Bellman Chronicles. Reader of comic books and observer and chronicler of the human condition. And to my wife's eternal dismay, a mere mortal and non-vampire. I'm often told I look like your uncle, cousin, etc. If I wore a hat, I'd hang it on a hat rack in my home in Niagara Falls, Canada. You can call me The Hook, everyone else does.
This entry was posted in Hotel Life. Bookmark the permalink.

35 Responses to It Ain’t Easy, But Don’t Worry… Be Happy!

  1. Are you in lockdown Robert? My friend works for the Hilton chain here in the UK and she’s been told to stay home for three weeks. Keep well my friend. Sending you a Keep Safe rainbow.

    • The Hook says:

      I’very been home for over a month.
      It hasn’t been that bad; poverty agrees with me.

      • Nice to hear from you Robert. Know about the poverty bit, we are in ‘severe poverty’ according to the government website, but at least we don’t have rent or a mortgage to pay.
        Keep safe my friend.

  2. All good happiness things, Hook. Thanks for sharing.

  3. C.E.Robinson says:

    Robert, good to know you are doing okay. I’m in CA (lockdown), keeping busy and staying sane. Finished my first book and querying agents. And started guitar lessons (online). Played, but…so many years ago. Music, for me, important to balance life right now. Stay safe. 📚 Christine

    • The Hook says:

      Well done, Christine!
      I’m writing my first fictional novel but it’s been a slow process.

      Still, I’m enjoying it and that’s all that matters, right?

  4. nbratscott says:

    I smell a series….I hope….

  5. Doug in Sugar Pine says:

    It’s stopped snowing so I’m happy to get to walk up to the old mill pond and back. There won’t be any people between here and there so I’m still social distancing.

  6. Great ideas
    (Delighted to run across some really old vintage movies – Sinatra/Dean Martin/Astaire/ Ginger Rogers/ Lucille Ball/ Bing Crosby/Betty Grable/Rita Hayworth/Judy Garland – period pieces but fun. Nothing like an old musical. Dancing! And Hitchcock movies)
    Did spend a few hours mindlessly pulling weeds out of the backyard grass…I NEVER do that…but distraction.)
    Take care and keep writing. (We’ll sit and wait by your blog until you have time)

  7. Michelle says:

    A good friend of mine, who I dated about 10 years ago, also took his own life with a gun. Manic depressant. Bi-polar. Severe depression. Anxiety. etc etc etc. He got to the point he couldn’t hold a job – didn’t want to hold a job – and decided enough was enough. Left a note for me to come get the dog and his computer/electronics. I had given him that dog several years ago and she adored him! So much that she died of a broken heart about 5 weeks after he did. She just stopped eating and was very sad.

    • The Hook says:

      This happens a lot, I bet.
      You have my deepest sympathies.

      • Michelle says:

        Happens a lot more often than it should. I know I didn’t have anything to do with it but I cannot help but feel partly responsible as I feel like a bailed on him. He was so far out there, wasn’t working, I couldn’t afford to cover his costs, too. I’m not good at being around people who are this depressed — it’s something I don’t understand. I don’t get depressed. Sure, I have sad, melancholic days – more like moments, although they are rare. But I’m never depressed. It’s not in my DNA, genes, whatever.

  8. Seeing the sun makes me happy. So far, those days have been limited here in Philadelphia. However, as I write this, it’s shining in all its glory, and for that, I am grateful.

  9. Powerful and effective indeed! 😉
    Stay safe, my friend! 🙂

  10. curvyroads says:

    Thank you for sharing these reminders. We need them more than ever now! Hugs! Virtual, of course 😁

  11. Archon's Den says:

    Thanx Hook! 😀 In a possibly vain attempt to assist in lightening the social mood, I’m going to attempt to link in a hotel cartoon. https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/92528155/posts/3310

  12. Jennie says:

    She has a good list. It’s real. Thanks for sharing some happiness, Hook.

  13. Jennie says:

    Hi Hook! Just want to check in and see how you are doing. Hope you are okay in all this craziness. Thank goodness we’re coming to the end of ‘the year of the pandemic’.

    • The Hook says:

      I’m hanging there, thanks for asking.
      I’m writing my first piece of fiction, but slowly.
      Still, I’m happy with the work I’m producing this time around.

      I hope you’re doing as well as can be expected.

      • Jennie says:

        Hook! It’s so good to hear from you. Writing your first piece of fiction – excellent! My brother in law said the words that have always stuck with me, “Slow makes it go.” I love that, and it’s true.

        I am fine. The adjustments to teaching have been off the charts. We all hate masks, yet children are better than we are. Social distancing with preschoolers is nearly impossible. I think we are appreciating every opportunity to hug each other.

Leave a reply to Archon's Den Cancel reply