The Ambassador of Happiness: A Postscript

After a week marked by four days of utter misery, the most uplifting email imaginable arrived from a nearby prison server:

Explained the concept of Gratisued yesterday to the NA guys. My man Pops was having a rough morning, just feeling bitter at the world, and Sammy wasn’t much help minus the normal “Pray on it” AA/NA thing. So, I offered the suggestion to find something small to be grateful for, build from there.

“I’m grateful to this mug. Thanks, mug, I couldn’t have coffee without you!”

“Bry, what the fuck are you smoking?!”

Explained Sue and her life philosophy, told the story about her talking to the shades at Fox Hill, thanking random things, etc. Basically just related that finding those insignificant things to have gratitude for is one of the few things we have any control over, no matter what our situations are, and in choosing that level of gratitude and happiness, it forces a changed mindset. They were blown away by the concept, beyond just the goofy novelty.

Last night, I read excerpts of TGOOAT (The greatest obituary of all-time) and had them laughing, amazed that this was a real person. Closed with this: “It’s easy to sentimentalize the dead to the unknowing living, but it’s a short-lived memorial. Embodying a philosophy through actions — THAT is attaining everlasting life.”

Geaux Sioux!