2 Dollars of Happiness

It’s a Saturday morning. I didn’t want to wake up. Looking at my watch, I realized I still needed to go to the gym. It’s one of those days again, I tell myself. Slowly, I dragged myself out of bed, put on some comfortable gym wear, and tossed my light blue Adidas bag over my shoulder.

Here we go.

It was a bright, sunny day. My lungs filled with fresh air that diffused through the busy city, kicking me awake. I checked my clock. 9:40 a.m.

As I walked by a small park near the YMCA, the first thing I noticed was a group of pigeons. A bigger pigeon was chasing a smaller one away. A couple more were just bathing under the sun. My gaze drifted past them, over the roof of a building, and finally settled on my shoes. My pink running shoes.

I hate pink running shoes. My mom left me those shoes. They were bright—just like her personality. But I still wear them.

On the sidewalk, the big pigeon is silently bullying the smaller pigeon, and nobody cares. The small pigeon doesn’t know—that there is a sky above him, free for him to roam. That he belongs to the world. But instead, he chose to stay, to be chased away.

The gym was busy as usual. I pushed and engaged in all sorts of cardio and lifting. I always liked the group gym sessions because I can follow instructions without thinking too much. My constant thoughts are tamed here—out of service. I gasped for air on the treadmill. Just a little more. I began to think about that nasty person I encountered through work and cursed under my breath.

I felt a rush of dopamine burst through my body as the session came to an end. A gym member had brought home-baked brownies. Apparently, she’s the oldest member of the group—eighty-four years old. I thought about it. It would be a blessing if I can still run and train at her age. I carefully sliced a piece and munched on it before disappearing behind the doors.

The sun is still bright—but this time, I can feel its effect to the fullest. Its simmering light shines on every corner of the street. The people beneath are busy with their lives, getting ready to start their day. We’re all blessed with the good weather, including me.

I walked into a nearby supermarket and got my usual can of iced coffee. And as I stepped out, I began to feel a sense of relief, as if the weight had left my body. I looked down at my two-dollar coffee in my hand.

My pink running shoes, my gym bag, and my coffee.
And that was all I had—but I felt full.

This moment of happiness and peace was enough.
And I can’t wait to go back home.