Many young people come to me and ask me: "why are you so happy every day?" I smile and reply with another question: "Why shouldn’t I be?" And while they think about an answer I tell them: "I am happy because I am here with you!" I don’t say this to flatter them: they are really the deep joy of my vocation.
The first to ask me the question was a 15-year-old girl. "Why are you always so positive every day?" she asked me, taking me by surprise (...) Then, looking inside myself, I told her that I had many reasons not to be happy: the cold, homesickness, some seasonal illness, a difficult language ... but I do not live my life from this point of view but from the eyes of God. So, instead of regretting many things, I am happy to get up in the morning knowing that the Lord gives me the opportunity to meet and greet the young people.
Two weeks ago I had the courage to challenge the young people and ask them what really makes them happy. One girl said it was impossible to be happy. Basing her answer on the need for "fulfilment" (coming out of a Western consumerist philosophy) and the apparent lack of resources to achieve it, she was convinced that it is impossible to be happy.
We started to talk about it. She's right, happiness is the result of a long journey. But she did not realize that happiness is also to be found along the way. Friends, laughter, rain and chocolate… all these are happiness. It is the happiness of children, of a funny remark or a joke. Happiness is being and living with gratitude. Happiness is putting everything in the hands of God and living every day as a gift of his love.
What makes me happy? Knowing that I am a Salesian, totally dedicated to young people as a sign and bearer of God’s love. I'm happy when I'm in the playground sharing my heart with these young people. I'm happy when I'm with those I love, when we talk and spend time together. And I try to do that every day: to go towards the young people, even though at times the internal resistance can be strong.
As for you, who or what makes you really happy?
