Whoever said that you can’t buy happiness has never been to my favorite camera shop. I bought a new lens today to replace the lens that came with my camera. I’ve been doing some research and have discovered that the lens that came standard is crap. So I wanted a solid replacement. And thanks to the sweet sales guy, I discovered the world of used camera equipment. I guess it had never occurred to me that photographers might actually want to trade up. So I spent much less on a used lens than the full price lens that I had budgeted for — plus it’s of a much higher quality. SO happy! It more than made up for the fact that my new “better butt” sneakers were listed on Forbes.com as one of the ten biggest ways we’re being ripped off. Not only is there no evidence that the shoes work the butt, the only parts of the body that the shoes impact are…wait for it…the feet and and the ankles. Gee, color me shocked.

On the subject of happiness, today I saw this article on the Dalai Lama and the science of happiness. I had to smile because this was the subject of his talk when I saw him speak three years ago. I keep the event poster above my desk at work and it’s one of my favorite things that I own. When I see that big, grinning, joy-filled face, it reminds me to look for my better self — even if it’s buried way down deep by moods or circumstances.