I ask you if you’re Happy
You say that you ALMOST are ...
But for that deal still stuck in the pipeline
The car you’ve had your eye on
Of someday getting into the privileged fold 
With a house in a gated neighbourhood

I ask you if you’re Hopeful 
You say that you ALMOST are ...
But for the country’s socio-economic situation
The children’s future, their education
And oh your eternally dismal luck! 
Your lottery ticket is always a dud

I ask you if you’re at Peace 
You say that you ALMOST are ...
But for the fear of contracting a dire disease
Of neighboring countries planning a seige
And that infernal noisy discord
From the red duplex across the road

I ask you if you’re Alive
You say that of course you are! 
You’re breathing, you’re living
You’re thinking, you’re worrying
You’re working, you’re hurrying
You’re planning and hedging
Against what might be coming...

Stop!     Breathe ....      Listen ....

Open up your mind and your heart
Cast off the spell of your self-doubting trance
Quit just living, come gloriously ALIVE!
Be happy and be hopeful even as you strive
Face the sun, take control of this time, seize the day
The magic is NOW, not in your ‘morrows or yesterdays.