I won’t lie, I struggled with today’s Five for Ten post. There’s so much going on in my head most days that it’s easy to lose sight of what is really important. It’s easy to get dragged down with everything that is going wrong, or that could be improved.
To me, happiness is finding what is right and good, right now. Not what will make me happy a month from now (when the next iPhone is released) or what made me happy last week (a wonderful Mother’s Day). Happiness is found by looking through the cracks of everyday life and focusing on the little things that bring a smile to my lips
I recently found this quote on The Happiness Project that sums it up perfectly:
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet. ~ James Openheim
I took a good look at my life, and found that I have plenty of happiness growing under my feet. Here are a few of the everyday things that bring happiness to my life.
- Breakfast, chatting with the kiddo. We have the most fascination conversations.
- Watching the kiddo run shouting “eat my brains” while the Dad-oo-zombie chases him.
- Nap time. Beautiful, quiet nap time.
- Starbucks’ raspberry mocha’s, a good book, and some new music.
- Eating homemade pizza on Friday nights while watching a movie or catching up on Tivo with Dad-oo.
- Sometimes just getting through the day without melting down into tears. You know, one of those kinds of days.
- Being able to heal just about any boo-boo with a simple kiss.
- A quiet moment with a piece of good dark chocolate.
- Yoga, for centering my body and mind.
- My husband.
- My family.
- My friends.
- Puppy dog kisses.
- A sense of being exactly where I should be in my life.
- Big brown eyes looking deep into mine, asking me to explain the world, soothe fears and dry tears.
Also, chips and dip. Especially the chunky homemade salsa. Mmmmmm… (wondering what I’m talking about?)
What does happiness mean to you?
Don’t forget about the Thank Your Journal carnival starting this week. I hope to see you there.
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
HA!! You worked in chips and dip! Good for you!
My favorite item, by far, is #7.
.-= TheKitchenWitch´s last blog ..Veg-Head Monday: Zucchini Stuffed Tomatoes =-.
@TheKitchenWitch, I’m always amazed how much a simple kiss can heal. If only it stayed this way into adulthood. Although, sometimes a simple kiss does have an amazing healing power.
That is a great list. Isn’t it amazing all the things we can think of that make us happy when we really stop to think about it? I’ll try to remember this the next time I’m having a #6 kind of day!
.-= Jenn M´s last blog ..A Moment =-.
@Jenn M, I know, it’s so easy to miss the little things that make us happy. Especially during a #6 kind of day.
I love that quote. And your kid screaming eat my brains reminds me so much of my 6 year old. He is obsessed with zombies. I don’t get it, but whatever makes him happy.
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..The Pursuit of Happiness =-.
@C @ Kid Things, I don’t get the zombie thing either. It’s an obsession from my hubby that is being passed down. Sigh.
YAY for working in chips and dip!!
This week a shipment of new books came from Amazon. I have been reading and feeling the happiness that you describe. There is something about an enjoyable, new book that brings smiles. I love it.
Thanks for the reminder!! Awesome post!
.-= Amber´s last blog ..That Was Love =-.
I love how you wrote about finding happiness growing under your feet.
Zombie games are hilarious!
Doesn’t just the act of listing what makes you happy give you a huge lift? It’s like concentrated happy juice.
@Kelly, It really does. I need to do it more often.
Loved that you worked in chips and dip.
I like the kisses on the boo-boos because I know in the future it will take more than just kisses to wipe some of the hurt away.
.-= Rudri´s last blog ..Diamond Courage =-.
@Rudri, Gotta hold on the kisses as long as we can, huh?
I’m glad to see you focusing on the “happiness growing under your feet.” I’m a little worried about you! I’m here for you if you ever need…if only we could share those chips and dip virtually
.-= Christine LaRocque´s last blog ..Happiness From Trying Again =-.
@Christine LaRocque, Oh, thank you Christine! Life has thrown me a lot of things that I can’t control lately, which has gotten me down. But hopefully things will turn around soon. Thank you for your concern! I’ll take you up on the virtual chips and dip soon.
#6 I can so relate to. If you read my post from yesterday… you’ll see why.
#7 – oh how I love that. And wish it could last forever.
#9 i need to somehow fit that back into my life. I know how much more happiness I would appreciate if I could find the time.
Great list and you are so right – it’s the little things that we need to grab onto and appreciate before they do slip through the cracks.
@becca, It’s so easy to miss the little things too, if you aren’t paying attention. But oh so important to focus on happiness instead of everything else.
I also look for happiness in each moment…we are so blessed! There is always something to smile about!!
.-= Muthering Heights´s last blog ..A Fuzzy Moment =-.
Chips/Dip – Nice job!
And amen to most of what’s on your list, especially yoga, homemade pizza and naptime.
I should make a list every day. Good reminder of what makes me happy every day, even when the day doesn’t seem so.
.-= Justine´s last blog ..Two sides of the same coin =-.
@Justine, I LOVE yoga. I really need to do it more often, it’s the thing that often gets bumped aside. But I feel so good after.
How about this – eating chips and dips (you have your homemade salsa, I’ll binge on the store-bought heluvagood french onion) and sending each other texts from our new iPhones during naptime? BLISS!!
@ck, Sounds PERFECT to me!
Great post!
My Thank you Journal is up.
.-= sheila´s last blog ..A Bit of Wisdom With My New Treads. =-.
@sheila, Wahoo! Going to check it out soon. Thanks for linking up.
An excited YES!!! to 6 and 14. And major bonus points for mentioning Chips and Dip and making me laugh out loud while at work.
!!!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..The !!! of My Life =-.
@Sarah, Glad I could make you laugh. Love the !!!
Num Num BRAINS and CHIPS & DIP!! Something for everyone! Bravo!!
.-= Shawna´s last blog ..Without Borders =-.