by Tracy Farr
Happiness is only a spoon full of sugar away
As you are sitting there reading this story, I’m at home sipping on a Dr. Pepper made with real sugar, and wondering why the United States isn’t the happiest country on the planet.
From what I hear in the news, researchers at the Gallop World Poll talked to people in 155 countries – trying to assess their well-being – and from that study concluded that Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands are the happiest countries in the world.
And where did the United States rank? I’m not really sure, but it’s somewhere behind Costa Rica, Canada and Panama. That’s right – even Panama beat out God bless America.
I don’t know about you, but living in a country that’s second rate on the happiness scale does NOT please me.
I’m pretty much a happy person. Most of the people I know are pretty happy, too. And if you are a happy person, and most of the people YOU know are happy, then you would think those numbers would eventually grow enough to tip the country-wide happiness scale in our favor, making America one of the happiest places to live.
Isn’t the United States the home of the Whopper, Braum’s Ice Cream, Domino’s Pizza and Weight Watchers? Aren’t we known for American football, baseball and World Federation Wrestling? And holy cow, Disneyland is just around the corner, and if THAT doesn’t make everybody happy, I don’t know what would.
I think what’s dragging us down is the high fructose corn syrup found in our soda pops.
You see, I’m drinking this Dr. Pepper, the one made with real sugar, and wondering why it’s so good. Is it because of the vintage can design that Dr. Pepper is using to celebrate their 125th anniversary? No, I don’t think so. Is it because I haven’t had a Dr. Pepper in ages and it tastes just so darn good? Maybe, but I’m not sure. Or is it because real sugar is better for you than that awful fructose stuff, and gives the drink a lighter, not so heavy, taste? It’s possible.
Whatever the reason, I think there’s something in all that corn syrup that drags us Americans down happiness-wise, and at the least, puts ungodly amounts of fat on our bodies, which non-Americans don’t have to deal with because they’re drinking sodas – the same ones we drink – with real sugar. And when you add one and one together, you better be thanking a teacher, because without them, you wouldn’t be able to find the answer, which is: our American soda industry should stop trying to “make a buck” off of us by using the cheap fake stuff, and give us the “real stuff,” even though it’s more expensive, so we can be happy again.
Because getting America back to Numero Uno in the happiness category is Job Number One, I do rightly believe.
So, if the goal is to turn unhappy Americans into happy Americans, thus putting us in contention for the top Happy Country spot, then here’s how we’re going to do it:
No. 1 – Since happiness is relative, repeat “I am happy, I am happy, I am happy,” 20 times before any relatives come to visit. If they are your in-laws, 100 reps may be in order.
No. 2 – Always wake up on the right side of the bed, unless you sleep on the left, because if you try to crawl over whoever’s sleeping on the right, you’re bound to get an elbow poked in your ear, which only exacerbates the problem.
No. 3 – Think happy thoughts before you fly to Reno for vacation, unless you’re going to New Jersey, then I don’t know what to tell you.
No. 4 – Never equate money with happiness. Money may appear to make you happy, money can buy that MacBook Pro you’ve always wanted, and money can allow you to indulge in every wish your heart desires. But. Hmmm. I’ve forgotten my point.
And last but not least No. 5 – A quote from American Author Dale Carnegie: “Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see a bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses.”
With that, I leave you to find your own happiness. As for me, I shall have another real sugar Dr. Pepper. You can never have too much. Happiness, that is.
--------------
Tracy Farr lives in East Texas with his wife, three children and some goats. To read more of his stories, visit his website at http://www.tracyfarr.net.