I’ve always believed it’s important to take time out of your day to recognize your blessings, to be grateful. It could be a few words you whisper before bed, a mantra you tell yourself when things get hectic, a gentle breath in and out while you exercise. While I believe it, though, I don’t always remember to do it. Often, when I’m feeling flustered, I forget to exhale.
So when I complained last fall about barking dogs and leaf blowers at nap time, my friendly neighbor told me to download the Gratitude Journal app on my iPhone. (“Complain” might not actually be the most precise word for what I was doing. I wanted to gather all the leaf blowers and weedwackers, put them in my back yard, hack them to bits with an axe, and then set them on fire while I laughed maniacally. Then I would graciously release the dogs from their leashes so they could wander off my street, never to be heard from again.)
I did download that app, and tried to use it daily. But I’ve given up on it, which is a shame.
So when Gappy, my favorite British blogger, recently tagged me for what is called the “Happiness Meme,” I realized it would be a good exercise for me. I had already read the beautiful post by Modern Dilemma, in which she listed ten things that made her happy. She made happiness and contentment look easy. I was uplifted. And yet when Gappy tagged me, I had some posts already on the table and, well, I didn’t feel ready to find 10 things. Today, I am.
Is happiness contagious? You decide.
1. My husband gave the baby a bottle at 6 a.m. and got my son dressed so I could sleep until seven, which is quite a luxury in this house. When I woke up to a still-quiet house (The Boy is off to school today, The Girl still sleeping), I was able to get a shower in peace.
2. The sun is shining brightly through all of our windows, after days and days of wretched rain and wind.
3. I have plans to catch up with a good friend for lunch, even though I’ll probably be holding a drooling baby for most of it.
4. It’s payday! Now I can pay those bills that have been goading me from my mail desk. (Phew.)
5. I stepped on the scale. Despite my somewhat indulgent weekend of pizza and cheese, I lost two pounds! (Give or take weight for wearing clothes or not wearing clothes on the scale; either way, I’m heading in the right direction post-baby.)
6. Stopped for a coffee. (Doesn’t that sound nice?) Also picked up a couple of frosted scones for breakfast tomorrow. I’m excited to see The Boy’s face when I show him.
7. While on my way to an evil department store that sucks away all my money (you know the one), Cat Power’s “The Greatest” came on my iPod. Her voice really transports you. It felt like the perfect song for a slow spring morning.
8. The Girl was very happy to see me this morning. She is wearing an adorable new shirt decorated with colorful butterflies.
9. I finished my book last night, so that means I can start a new one today.
10. It will be warm enough today to wear sandals. I love feeling the sun on my toes.
There. Ten things and it isn’t even noon.
Now I’m tagging some other bloggers to see if reading what makes one suburban mom happy can inspire them to find happiness, too.
Christine at Coffees and Commutes
Suburban Correspondent at The More, The Messier
Stay at Home Mom, MD
Starr from Suburbtopia
Elizabeth at Spilt Milk
Jamie at Searching for Sidewalks
I’m off to my happy day….
Image: “Spring Flowers” by rkempjr via Flickr using a Creative Commons license
