Happy Places

Me: So, Beau. Do you think you’ve found your happy place?

Beau: What’s a happy place?

Me: You know. One of those places where you feel content, satisfied, complete, at peace. Always.

Beau: Where ever I am is my happy place Louise. You hoomans should try it. Just be happy. No matter where you are.

Me: But what about all our hooman woes and worries? They can interfere with feeling like we’re in a happy place, no matter where we are.

Beau: Ahhh, Louise. Have you ever stopped to consider that all those hooman woes and worries are hooman made? That you are your greatest stumbling block to being in your happy place, always?

Me: Oh. Well. I guess you’ve got a point.

Beau: Louise. Louise. Louise. I’ve always got a point. Just like I’m always in my happy place.

Me: Right. So point this out to me please would you Beau – why do you chase the ball again and again and again. That’s sort of a self-defeating game isn’t it? It’s almost as if you’re doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.

Beau: I suppose you think that’s a ‘gotcha’. Right?

Me: Well, it was kind of clever of me.

Beau: Ok. So answer me this. Why do you keep throwing the ball again and again and again. You know I wouldn’t chase it if you didn’t throw it. Right? So who’s really doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.

Me: Ummmm…..

Beau: Yeah. Thought so. ‘Cause here’s the deal Louise. Whether you throw the ball or not, I am always going to be in my happy place because I have no expectations of your throw going in a) a straight line; b) in the direction you intended; and c) that you’ll run and fetch it. So, I fetch it so you can keep doing the thing that seems to bring you happiness. End of story.

Me: Ok. Ok. Can we just get back to ‘happy places’ please?

Beau: (smiling sweetly) I’ve no where to get back to Louise. I never left mine.

I give up. He’s just too smart for me!