Happier Hour

Sitting at a local bar with a group of friends, one of them finally realized I wasn’t ‘drinking.’ They found this curious given it was Happy Hour. I explained that I have a much better time without alcohol. There was an extreme pause. Not knowing what to expect, I simply waited it out. Then in a very soul-felt reply, my friend quietly stated, “I wish I could do that,” and walked away.

This is not a story on the virtues and vices of alcohol. But, as I sat there, I realized this wasn’t just Happy Hour. It was a social gathering of friends, neighbors, and community.

Coming together for the music, libations, and food in a way that only a bar/pub can do. It is here that we share our day, catch up with good friends, meet new ones and take a little time to simply be. For others, it may be an escape – a little time away from whatever they need a little time away from.

Now, Happy Hour is not limited to this particular scene. It can be created anywhere, and it can look different each time. It’s whatever activity that has your happy-o-meter spike up a bit.

A jam session on the front porch on a cool summer night. The park with your pup. Fishing with your kids. Skiing on perfect snow. Engulfed in a page-turner. A gathering to dream and hope for your community.

The opportunities are endless. So, where might your next one be?