My Happy Plant

So yesterday the air conditioning guy came. It was a routine check-up and I wasn't necessarily happy about the price tag. What did make me happy was this guy's attitude! As he got out of his truck, I was outside watering my porch plants. I was met with an enthusiastic hello as I greeted him and asked how he was doing. He said that he was doing great, to which I added, "despite the fact that you get to spend some time on this sweltering summer morning in my attic?" He said that it's all about how you look at it and that he prefers to think about it like, "well, I'm going up to where the air conditioning unit is." Such a cheerful reframe!

He isn't in the door a minute before he notices this plant.

I know this because he asks if it's one plant or two, then compliments how beautiful it is before he adds:

"Now that's a happy plant!"

I hadn't actually thought about it like that before. I sometimes think it's in the way or growing too big and out of control. But happy? I take its picture and sit on my couch to think about that. It's not long before I hear this AC guy whistling ... or at least trying to whistle. I mention that whistling is a sign of happiness and he asks if I read that on the internet or made that up. Then he asks if I'm an author or something and if I know the works of Khalil Gibran. Well, I don't, but I look him up and I like what he once said:

The AC specialist goes on to say that he stumbled on this artist by accident once when he was bored in school and is really inspired by his life and legacy. Interesting. Then he tells me that he can't really whistle (what?) but that he does like to sing. He goes on to say, "I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing" and I can't help but wonder who this guy really is. And why he's so happy.

And that's it. Everything checks out and I write a big check. As I close the door, I think I see my happy plant smiling.