Bad To Be Glad

OK, so as little as two months ago, people were jumping out of buildings because of the price of gas. Now, the price of a barrel of crude oil is half of what it was then. Regular unleaded is under $3 a gallon. So we're happy, right? No.

OK, so foreclosures are at a record level. People signed bad deals and lost their homes. Bright spot: the price of homes goes down as people scoop up cheaper foreclosed homes. More people get to afford the American dream of homeownership. In fact, the housing crisis may eventually turn around because of the foreclosure crisis. More homes purchased, less inventory, values rise. So, we're happy, right? No.

Maybe it's just me, but these days we go out of our way to be miserable, as if being happy is something to feel guilty about. Misery is the new happiness. The Smiley Face has been replaced by Mr. Yuck. Negative events shape the person we become far more than positive ones do. If you don't learn from the negative, you'll never be able to appreciate the positive. In the past year, I've lost my job and had my mom diagnosed with breast cancer. The new job is working out. Mom seems good. Rarely will you find me more relaxed, or happy. And I don't feel one damn bit guilty about it.