I read this everyday through bloglines. I'm working on my own little happiness project. It entails finding and doing things that make me happy. That make life worth living. I do my best to find the joy in the mundaneness of every day. If someone where to ask me What makes you happy, Laura? This is how I would reply, in no particular order:
- First and foremost that little guy in the picture up there. Seeing his smile Monday to Friday as he gets on and off that bus never fails to make me smile.
- chocolate and lots of it, lately I've grown quite fond of dark chocolate
- spending time with the people I love under 5 feet. Ummm when "I" want to spend time with them and not when it's thrust upon me.
- eating good food with family
- eating good food alone
- sewing for Aaron
- sewing for others
- sewing for me
- shopping for fabric
- shopping for Aaron
- shopping for food
- reading books on how to better myself
- reading books for fun
- reading books with Aaron
- growing things
- listening to music
- watching movies
- going for a nice walk with Aaron and treating ourselves to ice cream (soon!!)
- doing nice things for others
- cuddling Aaron when he wakes up and when he goes to bed
- reading blogs
- browsing through flickr for sewing inspiration
- browsing through blogs for life inspiration
- There are so many more!!
I think the two things that have brought me the most happiness are one: Following a routine everyday. Preparing things ahead of time before they are to be done. For example preparing for the next day by laying out things the night before. I love a good routine. It will change somewhat in the next couple weeks once Aaron is home more often. I think once we establish a new routine our days will go as smoothly as they do during the school year. (I hope! I'm just praying for sanity for 2 months.)
The next thing that has brought me great happiness and stress free days is something I did last fall. I stopped wearing a watch. As mentioned above I'm very strict with my routine. By wearing a watch I was constantly looking at the time and not really enjoying my days much or even using the time wisely. Since I don't wear a watch anymore I feel so much freer and able to do more with the time I have. I'm not constantly looking at the watching. I'll glance at the nearest clock from time to time but not totally obsessed with WHAT TIME IS IT? I NEED TO DO THIS AT SUCH AND SUCH A TIME. The obsession was getting very annoying! I realized that everything gets done no matter what time it is, either 5 minutes early or 15 minutes later it doesn't matter. At the end of the day if everything that needed to get done that day did, then I call that a successful day.
7 comments:
THIS IS SO GREAT!! I love the happiness project! I love that we were cut out of the same cloth as far as time goes too! I haven't worn a watch in about 17 years. Since I've been home, I guess! It has made me feel less stressed as to when I get something done. If the sun's up there's plenty of time, right? If the sun's down it's time to sleep!! YOU make me happy, Laura!! Big Hugs and love!!
I just love your Happiness Blog!!
First of all thank you for coming by my little blog,I sorta new and trying hard, But yours today really struck a cord , what makes you happy , not enough people think about that in the way you proposed it.I think I will make a list of What makes you happy Diane ?? I honestly just love it!!
I enjoyed your sitting on the couch story, I could see myself doing that too,I always try and imagine what story goes with what ever I am attracted to and I will seek out the seller provided its not too busy and ask about the story behind an article, it makes it that much more fun.I enjoyed your blog and I will be back!!
By the way I don't wear a watch anymore either since I retired... AMEN !!
Diane
http://dianobe.blogspot.com/
LOL -if everything got done that needed to in my day, I'd call it a *miracle*! Good for you for being able to seek out the happiness!
LOVE the hands on sunglasses look on Aaron! Like "howdy ma'am" cowboy-style! He is SOOO cute gettign off the bus.
and woo for not wearing a watch! I've allways been told to wear them, but they just get in the way! and then the band gets soggy... great way to take control of your day!
This is a great post. I love your happiness list! Your little guy is cute! Amazing how much we love our kids from the first minute you lay eyes on them. Time with my daughter can be the most wonderful moments but also the most challenging and frustrating at times. I wouldn't change it for anything.
I also stopped wearing a watch for the last year. It makes a huge difference and I don't feel so constrained by time. I enjoy things a lot more now!
By the way I found your blog through the mini quilt swap group.
nice list.
i think its important to stop and breathe and take in whats around you from time to time.
what is that saying..we dot remeber days we remember moments. the richness of life lies in the memories we have forgotten.
~cesar pavese
I think that is a great list of what means happiness to you!
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