My State of Happiness

Before we moved to Hawaii (for a job), I never wanted to come here. I am still a little bemused by tourists who wander, awestruck, about Waikiki and Maui; the tourist experience is not the same as actually living in "paradise." But living here does have its pleasures.  Where else could you have a simple weekend in a setting like this (our last Thanksgiving in Hana, Maui)? (Click image to see in GREAT detail.)

And so this state of happiness was confirmed by a survey which rates Hawaii, this year anyway, as the happiest state in the nation in which to live. Could it be the climate? The food? The people? The distance from the other 49? It's a tough economy, schools have a bad rep, and jobs--well, work is work, no matter where you go. According to the survey:

The well-being score for each state is an average of six sub-categories, including: life evaluation (self-evaluation about your present life situation and anticipated one in five years); emotional health; work environment (such as job satisfaction); physical health; healthy behavior; basic access (access to healthcare, a doctor, a safe place to exercise and walk, as well as community satisfaction).

Well, we do have good health care, and an environment that makes it possible to maintain and enjoy good health. The economy is another matter. It's happy state if you have a source of income: for most of us that means a job.

There is a saying here: "Lucky you live Hawaii."  And I might add, "Lucky you work Hawaii." To which I now must go.