I woke up the other morning, and I was happy.

OK, so maybe everyone wakes up with that particular feeling every morning but not me. I rarely wake up with a smile on my face. In fact, I haven't smiled a lot in the past six months.

A combination of school, work, family and personal problems have plagued me with a deep depression.

Sleeping away four months of my life due to mononucleosis didn't help either.

I am also the type of person who would rather worry about something than just let it go, which is a large part of my problem.

Within the last few months, though, I have noticed a change in me. The dark cloud has finally lifted.

I have realized that happiness can be found in the smallest of things.

Happiness can't be found in a brand new car. It's rolling the windows down in my 1995 Mercury (fondly called "Big Mama") and driving her like she is a brand new convertible.

Happiness comes in all shapes and sizes. Happiness can be expressed in actions, expressions or words.

It just took me a while to realize it. Now, everywhere I look, I see something that brings a smile to my face and happiness to my heart. Happiness is an A on a media law paper. A hug from a 4-year old who tells you how much he loves you before running off to play. Hearing your high-school sweetheart tell you how amazing and beautiful you are and how sorry he is that he hurt you.

It comes in the form of a journalism award when you doubt your future as a writer or finding a $20 bill in the washing machine.

It comes from having dinner with old friends or making a new friend. Happiness is having a good hair day.

It is also a compliment from a complete stranger or a joke that makes you laugh.

Happiness is finally understanding you are too good for the guy who broke your heart.

It is seeing a person you have known for a long time and finally realizing what you have been searching for has been right under your nose all along.

Happiness is getting to sleep late on a Saturday morning, and getting to stay up late on a Friday night.

Happiness is watching cartoons and feeling like a kid again. It is a column that sounds just right or a snow cone on a hot day.

It is seeing the girl you hated in high school and realizing she has gained more weight than you.

It is a shirt on sale or a good margarita. It is hearing your favorite song on the radio from start to finish.

It is a weekend off from work or a trip to the lake. Happiness is being able to look someone in the eyes and tell them how much you care, an unexpected visit from an old friend or a relaxing nap on a tanning bed.

Happiness is hearing of Britney Spears' engagement and realizing you might now have a chance with millions of guys.

Happiness is relishing the fact that I am finally happy.

Stacy Temple is a junior journalism major from Fort Necessity and serves as associate editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to slt019@latech.edu.