Well for me, it’s not Folgers in my cup since I quit drinking coffee years ago. Now the best part of waking up is knowing that the new day brings the chance for a whole new world of happiness to come to me. New opportunities, new adventures, chances for laughter and time for reflection. Every day is like pressing a reset button and having the chance at a fresh, happy start. Because happiness is a choice, and every single day I get the chance to choose to be happy.
Every night before I go to bed I have taken the advice from The Magic and I hold my magic rock (it’s actually a rock I made in a class years ago at Kripalu) and think over all the wonderful things happened that day, pick the best thing and give gratitude for it. It has become something I really look forward to because it gives me the opportunity to see all the good things that have happened in my day – especially on days when I feel like not a lot of good things have happened. It’s amazing to be able to look back over them and say “oh yes, this… and this… and this…” Then when I wake up in the morning, I try to lie in bed quiet for a few minutes thinking about all the good things I want to happen during the day to come. It’s become a wonderful, peaceful way to start and end my day and I know I feel a lot better just by doing those little things.
This morning I slept in (!) until the alarm and so instead of having my centering moments, I grabbed my phone to turn off the alarm only to see that Jacob was already texting me to see if school was delayed and if he could have pancakes for breakfast (school was on time, I could make pancakes). I was dressed and downstairs in the kitchen before I realized that I hadn’t had my regular morning hatch. Not really knowing how to refocus myself on the day, I figured I should just keep on going and try and make the best of it. I turned on my Pandora radio and it went to the last station I was listening to – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (don’t judge). The first song was Friends in Low Places and the second one was Cadillac Ranch. Well, after turning those songs up, dancing and singing (badly and loudly) while I got the pancakes ready I was in as good a mood as I’ve been in a morning lately. Music is wonderful therapy.
Kids came down also in happy moods and we had a pretty smooth, calm morning. We even got to listen to Zack’s Angry Diary on the way to Jenna’s school which is something they both really look forward to – it provides some good laughter as they’re getting ready to start their day.
We dropped Jenna off and went to Jacob’s school. I pulled up in the drop off line and he opened his door, got his things out and turned back to me and said (outside and in public) “Love you, Mom”, then he gave me a big smile and started walking towards school. I was in shock and thought that I must have misheard. I drove up so I was beside him again, rolled down the window and said “Did i hear what I think I heard?” He smiled and said “Yes, have a good day mom.” And walked off into school.
Mommy heart melt. My teenager saying he loves me in public? Priceless. Let me tell you, it’s a great way to set up for a positive day.
