The boy and I went and saw Thor tonight – it sss much funnier and better than I had expected.
But my happiness moment comes tonight when I go to sleep. An extra hour of sleep! That is a huge happiness bonus
Tag Archives: love
Winner winner
I had a case of the blahs today – just too much going on. I decided to go to town and get some errands done – things I’d been putting off for too long.
I was delighted by a surprise run in with a soul sister at Winners. We were both struggling today and our impromptu visit and shopping time together did a lot to boost my spirits. A little ray of sunshine – happiness.
I know for sure I can’t do this without my tribe. Thank God for them.
He’s got this
It’s no secret that I’ve been feeling both overwhelmed and frustrated with God lately. I keep coming back to a passage in a book by Marianne Williamson that says when you ask God into your life, you think God is going to come into your psychic house, look around, and see that you just need a new floor or better furniture, and that everything just needs a little cleaning – and so you go along thinking how nice life is that God is there. Then you look out the window one day and you see that there’s a wrecking ball outside. It turns out your foundation is shot, and that you’re going to have to start building it from scratch.
I feel like the wrecking ball comes through and just as rebuilding is starting to happen another wrecking ball hits. And I’m tired.
Today in church I realized that maybe the wrecking ball keeps coming through because I’m building the foundation over and over again by myself instead of remembering to turn it over. I’m building on the same shitty foundation time after time and that needs to change.
The message of today’s sermon was to remember that God’s got this, and that He’s got you. At this point my life is so scary and overwhelming I don’t think I have any choice but to trust that those words are true.
This is a sunrise photo taken in my front yard last fall. The fact that we are here, we are safe, and we are loved is a miracle and that will always be a happiness moment. I’ll just trust that He’s got this, He’s got me, He’s got us.
Hell’s Kitchen
The weather was absolutely beautiful today and I managed to get out for a walk and soak in some sunbeams. On my way home I noticed my horse had made a steer friend and they each stand on their side of the fence grazing side by side. It’s cute. The evening was spent watching Hell’s Kitchen with the girl.
What does this mean? That even though I have days like yesterday where I feel like the entire universe is dumping on me, really life is pretty darn good. And it’s good because of all the simple things – pony faces, sunbeams, girl cuddles – that is what happiness is about.
Avoiding sadness
When I started this happiness journey it was my sincere desire to get to a permanent state of bliss. I naively thought that if I found something to be happy about every day I would one day be happy all the time.
I’ve begun to understand lately that I need to feel the sadness. Pretending it’s not there and only focusing on the happiness means I’m not open to learn the lessons that pain beings and the strength that comes from that. I believe it’s important to shine light in the darkness and not focus on the bad, but in order to grow from it I need to acknowledge the sad times too.
Sometimes life is just hard, some days have more tears than smiles, but every day is a gift. It really is. Feeling sadness also allows me to feel joy more intensely.
Tonight there was an amazing sunset. I stood at the window with my mom and we watched it go behind the mountains. And that moment of happiness – it was a good one.
The story of your life
I often feel unsettled when I think of the story of my life. It certainly didn’t go as I had dreamed and sometimes I question what I could have done differently to make things better.
We made it (late) to church today – just in time for the sermon. One of the things the pastor said was you can trust God to write the story of your life
And that’s it. Faith and trust. That’s what I need to fall back on. Knowing that is happiness.
It’s an every day thing now
I came home this evening after dropping the girl off at a friend’s place to find a text from the boy asking for a ride back from my mom’s house. Then he decided he needed to stay longer and I would have to come later. It seems that they were watching a show and visiting and he wasn’t quite ready to come home.
That is one of the huge perks of living where we do. I have so many memories of going over to my grandma’s to have tea, a visit, or just be spoiled like only a grandparent can. Now my kids are able to do that as well. It’s not once or twice a year like it was for so long, it’s an every day thing now. And that is happiness.
They’re back
I first noticed the swans on Wednesday, but today when we were driving home there were several pairs swimming on the slough. The swans showing up seems to be a real signal that the season is changing. The weather is cold and they’re heading for a more decent climate to spend the winter.
I’ve always loved watching the swans as they rest here before they continue their journey. We used to go out as kids and watch them, dad used to take awesome photos of them, and this year I (finally) got to go out and ride among them. They’re beautiful creatures and they seem to carry a sort of peace with them (when they’re not threatening to attack because you got too close!)
This is a photo Dad took a couple of years before he died. I’ve been missing him lately and when I see the swans it makes me feel closer to him again. I love the swans, they are a source of happiness.
Every girl needs a Ducky
The girl and I have a stomach bug that has stopped us in our tracks. Both of us were feeling pretty crappy this evening, so we cuddled up on the couch and watched some movies. Hotel Transylvania 2 which is an old family favorite, and Pretty in Pink – becsuse every girl needs to see that movie. And every girl needs a Ducky. Seriously.
Little trip back to the 80s. Happiness
Tea and TV
The boy and I have got into the routine of spending an hour or so every evening together watching tv and drinking tea. It’s become a really nice way to unwind and share time with him.
I find we often have to stop the show so he can tell me little things about his life, or to laugh at something funny.
Mostly I am just so honored that these teenagers want to spend so much time with me. Family, it’s what it’s all about. It’s happiness.
