1. Are you a happy person? More often than not.
2. What is happiness for you? Happiness is in the moment. The way my cat Reynaldo curls his paws, or watching Anthony Rizzo swing for the fences, or eating Raisinettes in the dark from a movie seat.
3. What do you think is the color of happiness? Pantone 294, aka Cubbie blue.
4. Can money buy happiness? Money can buy freedom from worrying about money.
5. Is happiness a state of mind? That's a little superficial. Some people struggle with depression, and which is real and serious and not something they can choose their way out of.
6. What are three things that make you happy? Books and cats and the Cubs.
7. Does having a pet make you happy? Definitely!
8. When was the happiest time of your childhood? This is a particularly fond memory: When I was 7, my parents surprised me by taking me and my oldest friend to see the Beatles' HELP! at a drive-in. I was riding my bike and the three of them pulled up in an unfamiliar car, a blue station wagon. My dad had swapped cars with a coworker so we could have the back of the wagon to bounce around in when we screamed and cried over The Lads. It was an uncharacteristically thoughtful gesture on my dad's part.
9. Can you be happy if you are rich? Of course.
10. Do you think happiness lies within you or does it depend on other people and external things? Yes. I mean, your happiness is ultimately your own responsibility. But it's ridiculous to ignore all the outside factors that influence us and our well being every day.
11. Are single people happy? No. Every day it's a battle not to take my own miserable, single life. I apologize for breathing and using air better used by married people.
12, What is the effect that animals/pets have on people to make them feel happy? As I answer these questions, my cat Connie is in my lap, so let's use her as an example. First of all, I love how affectionate she is. Her purr is audible and every now and again she rubs her head up against my arm. Second, I love how clear and bright her eyes are. When I first brought her home, she had an infection that left her with a perpetually runny nose and cloudy, light sensitive eyes. It brings me joy to see how healthy she now is. And sometimes she's very funny. The mesh bag that I once used for washing my lingerie is in the middle of the kitchen. Connie somehow decided it is her mortal enemy. She battles it and then proudly parades around with it. Thank God she's keeping me safe from that mesh bag!
13. Can you be happy if you are poor? I don't think so, because I would be worried about paying my bills.
14. What is there to be happy about in today’s world? We live in America, where we still have a free press. That should inspire joy, especially on Sunday morning when we have both the Sunday papers and long-format shows like Meet the Press, Face the Nation and This Week to inform us.
15. How happy are you compared with your friends. "Compare and despair." Words of wisdom to live by. Happiness is not a sport.
