Happiness Is?

What makes me happy? Write my list in my gratitude journal of what makes me happy? There is no time like today to live my life surrounded by people, places and things that makes me happy. I need to let go of the stuff that fills me with anguish and uncertainty and replace it with those that fills me with happiness.

Visualizing My Ideal Life

Yesterday I thought about my hopes and dreams that are yet to be fulfilled. I will close my eyes and visualize myself living my ideal life and I will feel the joy that this life is bringing me. Write down my ideal life on an index card and look at the card throughout the day. The card will help me bring my ideal life back into my thoughts. I will take the time throughout the day to see and feel myself living the life of my dreams.

Looking Back

When I'm 90 years old, I hope that I can look back on my life and be happy with how I lived my life and what I accomplished. Think about my dreams for my life, what changes would I make and what actions can I take to get closer to my ideal life.

Touch

I spent the last few days with my dad and mom, ages 90 and 88. My dad's hearing aid was on the brink, making it difficult to have a conversation. Even when it is working, hearing has become difficult for him. Feeling his frustration, I took his hand as we sat on the couch. We sat there silently, for a very long time with my hand in his. It was a beautiful thing and was very meaningful for me and I believe, my dad also.

I will be intentional with practicing touch with my loved ones: Holding a hand, rubbing an aching back, or a hug.

Take Out The Garbage

I was listening to a coworker talking about being upset with her husband over him not taking out the garbage. Again. Sound familiar. She wanted his chores to be things she would never have to think about. Then she talked about how he had gone out and bought her a space heater for her art room in her cold basement and how much she loved it. He went on to do a few more thoughtful acts, but she was still fixating on the garbage. Now I can relate to what she was complaining about, but in the scheme of things, does it matter. My husband goes out every Sunday to buy me the paper and I have never asked him to do that for me. It is just something he does because he is a great guy.

It's easy to let the things people don't do upset us, but now I'd rather focus on the things people do for me. I know their kindness and thoughtfulness will allow me to more appreciative of them and will make me a happier, more grateful person.

I'm letting go of the garbage.

A Year Later

A year ago today I started this blog and this journey to a life of gratitude. Sometimes I feel like I'm making real progress and other times I feel like I've taken several steps backwards. One thing this journey has taught me is when I'm not as gracious and grateful as I should be, there will be plenty more opportunities to try again. I am going to continue on my journey of growth, gratitude and graciousness. I need to be intentional with being grateful for what I have and gracious in my responses to those that are a challenge to me.

No Guilt Allowed

Allow myself a self indulgence: Savor the taste of a piece of chocolate. Shut the door and curl up with a good book. Leave the clutter and mess behind and go for a walk. Remember that no guilt is allowed.

Single Tasking

I know multitasking is thought highly of, but my lesson for today is to focus on just one thing at a time. Tune out the distractions or others wanting my attention and just focus on the task at hand. When I talk to someone I should really be engaged with listening, responding and talking. When I am working out, I should only work out, not also try and have a conversation with someone else. I hope this lesson will help me get the most out of the many parts of my day.

Dream Bigger

Write a list of my 5 top dreams. Now, dream bigger. Feel the freedom to stretch my thinking to what I really want in my life. Build on my dreams, transform my hopes, and go above and beyond my current thinking.

Job Well Done

Remind others how good they are. If you hear someone has committed an act of kindness, tell them what a kind, wonderful act they performed. It can be grand or something relatively simple: cooking dinner for a caregiver, picking up a neighbors mail while they are away, or giving a friend a ride to the doctors office. Appreciating others for their thoughtfulness is always a good thing.

Shopping Trip Experiment

My daughter and I did an experiment of niceness. We went to the food store and it was packed. We expected to be hit by shopping carts and other rude behavior. To keep our attitudes positive, we decided to be extremely nice and ignore any bad behavior we experienced. Everywhere we went, aisle to aisle, we were friendly and courteous, smiling, and letting others go ahead of us. The people around us responded by letting us pass first instead and smiling back. It really diffused a lot of the me, me behavior we expected. I guess like attracts like and the trip wasn't so bad after all.

Share Stories

Share positive, happy stories. Call a friend, sibling, or other loved one and share a wonderful memory you made with them. Sharing happy stories is a great way to feel gratitude.
In building community among groups, friends, workplaces etc., it is important to share stories.

Wag More

I saw a bumper sticker recently. It read, Wag More, Bark Less.
That is what I am going to do.

Wake Up, Wake Up

Wake up and appreciate the beauty of a sunset. I am lucky enough to see the sunrise each morning as I start my work day with the sunrise. Feel gratitude for the beauty of the sunrise. Enjoy the reds, oranges and intensity of the colors.

Will I See My Shadow

It's Ground Hogs Day and the yearly forecast from Punxsutawney Phil is an early spring. Winter snow and ice storms have hit a lot of the the US. Here in NJ, I'm witnessing my second day of an ice storm. There is the danger of driving on the roads, potential power outages, water damage from ice dams and other winter hazards. But, as I look out my backyard, I see the pretty ice covered limbs, the icicles dripping, and the birds landing on the snow. There really is beauty to be found in the most unpleasant of circumstances.

Today I will practice seeing beauty and feeling gratitude as I go throughout my day.

Update: I was grateful for the beauty that surrounds me and ever grateful for the beauty to be in a few short months.