I feel as if it is the beginning of the year.  I am feeling a huge sense of wanting to be better.  Wanting to be happier and I owe it all to two things: feeling overwhelmed all too often and The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  It is a book that I am finding I relate to more than any other book I’ve read.  I am finding it hard to put down.  It’s funny because the person who let me borrow it said to me “it’s not like it’s a book that you can’t put down”.  Haha  I love self help books and I feel that the author and I must have kindred spirits.  Before everyone starts thinking that I am sinking into a deep black hole I have to reassure that I am happy!  I still love Dustin and I love being a mom to Paris more than anything.  We have such flexibility and responsibility with our company that is extremely satisfying!  I love owning home and buying little things to beautify it!  Idaho is sunny most of the time and I am really enjoying having my blond hair again and that it is getting long!  I also really like the Mary Kay products I have started using!  My life is good!  Do I think that I could be happier?  Yes.  I am not having a midlife crisis, I promise!  I really relate to Gretchen Rubin when she explains: “I am happy—but I’m not as happy as I should be.  I have such a good life, I want to appreciate it more—and live up to it better.  I complain too much, I get annoyed more than I should.  I should be more grateful.  I think if I felt happier, I’d behave better.” 

So, I decided to first start with recognizing what really brings me joy.  The little (or big) things that only I can do to make myself happier.  There are so many things that Dust can do to make me feel joyful and now that Paris is here…oh my.  The list could go on FOREVER.  Her little smile makes my day.  Her cute face when she is eating is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.  But I don’t want to have to rely on other people to feel good.  What are the things that only I can do?  So here’s what I have so far…the things that make me happy!

*Making a to-do list and crossing off the tasks one by one when I am done.

*Opening all the blinds immediately upon waking up in the morning.

*Whistling.  I have never been very good at it but I love to do it! 

*Looking at a neatly made bed.

*Prayer. 

*The feeling of a cold drenched shirt after a hard workout.

*Baking a tried and true recipe. 

*Looking at home design and photography blogs.

*Going for a walk.  Rain or shine. 

*Laying out on a hot summer day with sunglasses on and music blaring. 

*Flossing my teeth.  I love every second of it. 

*Browsing through all the knick knacks at TJ Maxx.  I feel like it is a treasure hunt in there. 

My goal is to do these things more often.  The saying I want to start living by is “Today I will start becoming the person I want to be for the rest of my life.”