December 9, 2009

Happy 101

Don't you wish there was a freshman class on this?  (I probably would have taken it twice)   Thanks to Jen, I get to take the online version.  No credit hours, final exam or CPDUs.  Yet, taking a moment to reflect on 10 Things That Make Me Happy is just the lesson I needed.  I learned a lot while preparing this post.

At 6 am, I quickly typed a list of the first ten things that came to mind.  Then, as I moved through our morning routine, additional "happiness" points came to mind.  I began to edit the original list.  What a wonderful way to start the day--realizing there are more than ten things that make me truly happy and that most of them are well within reach these days.   That thought, in and of  itself, is a blessing and life lesson.  Here's my list:

  1. Making both my children laugh at the same time.
  2. Sitting on the floor doing puzzles with Henry.   "Where this go, mom...where this go?" 
  3. Seeing Liam's impish smile when our eyes meet.
  4. A long chat with a good friend.  Remembering the past, processing the present and making future plans.
  5. Unexpected words of kindness spoken unconditionally.
  6. Even on the weeks when money is very tight and I can't afford Henry's Happy Meal, knowing that my children will be able to go to college.
  7. Spring Rolls and Pad Thai with Tofu
  8. Sitting, knitting and watching a good (but not too gory) BBC mystery.
  9. Having time to read and then discuss a great book with friends.
  10. Making connections with other moms who get it.   I need all the support and laughter I can get*
  11. Sitting next to my old dog who still loves me even though he gets a fraction of my attention.
  12. Starbucks Via and Peppermint CoffeeMate  (on those days when I can't get out for real coffee)
*That's why I'm passing this award along to the following bloggers
Demeter's 2 Joys
Skip To My Lou
Kimmyann's Journey to Motherhood..
Life With Eliza Grace
Kool Aid Mom Wanna Be
The Crooked Path
Twincredible Twosome
♥Whole Lotta Mama♥

Now you, too, can choose to:
List 10 things that make you happy.
Try and do at least one of them today.
Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day.
Link back to the person that tagged you.

4 comments:

  1. I've just come across your blog via Demeters2Joys. Your boys are beautiful - you are very lucky to have them! My husband and I can't have children of our own, but I have to count myself lucky to have his two son's from his first marriage. I do so wish I could have had memories like the ones you've captured in your slide show tho (meaning from when they were babies :) You have a beautiful family.

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  2. Lara ~ when Adam was about 7-8 he was a very pessimistic child. So I created a "happy, happy, joy, joy" journal for each of us to try and help him recognize things throughout his day that made him happy. Each nite we wrote 5 things down ~ even something as simple as he had pizza for lunch. Valuable lesson learned!!

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  3. I love your list of things that make you happy and I will do the same. There are so many things that make us happy, we should recognize them and realize how lucky we are!

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  4. Even though I feel like I was just thinking about things I was thankful for for Thanksgiving not that long ago, it was good to remind myself of things that make me happy. :)

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