Happiness is... thunderclouds and rainy days

Once I've discovered the joy that lies in simple things I've found the key to happiness. Once you realise this life keeps on rewarding you with unexpected moments of quiet happiness and deep contentment.  

It's almost the end of the first month of the new year. 

Already the year has had its fair shares of tragedy and losses and Covid-19 is still here. 

Today it has been raining with a bit of wind and the sounds of thunder in the distance. I can see the trees outside my window and hear the odd bird singing. It fills me with such a sense of peace and utter contentment.

I feel happiness and a sense of calmness at this very moment. Suddenly I am filled with the knowledge that we are okay and things are going to be okay. This is not the end. It's the beginning of something wonderful and beautiful. Being here in this time in history, at this point in time is no accident. We are here for a reason, a purpose far bigger than ourselves. And all will be revealed in time.

There were times that I was afraid for my children, my family, my country. But fear only leads to more fear and it blinds you to the possibilities life has to offer. The fear stemmed from feeling uncertain about the future and not knowing what tomorrow might bring. 

But life has always been uncertain. Once I realised that I've never been in control of many things, I could let the fear go. We never know what could and might happen from one moment to the next. I learned this when my dad died. One moment everything was fine and the next moment our lives were shattered, without any warning. We only have this moment. Nothing else. 

And sitting here looking out the window, listening to the rain and lonesome bird, seeing the beautiful green of the trees and the cold grey of the skies, I feel this sense of peace and hope in this moment. 

I am grateful that I am alive, for the rain, having dreams and the belief that they will come true; for true friends and the memories we share; for love, family and the laughter of my children.

I am grateful that I am here at this moment. I am happy that God chose to put me here right now in these interesting times, and taught me how to conquer my fears through Him so that I can say that I am happy to be alive on a rainy day with thunderclouds and a little bit of wind.