I read an article the other day which asked the question: What makes you truly happy? I've been pondering on that for a few days now. I think it's a question to ask if I'm truly going to be fearless. We spend a lot of time as mothers trying to make sure everyone in our lives are happy but then for some reason think it's selfish to make sure we are too. Or even worse, we don't really know what will make us happy.
A while ago as I watched my grandson jump and splash in the only puddle there was at the zoo he found pure delight. His whole countenance radiated because he was so ultimately living in the moment and finding sheer joy.
So what makes me happy? Not what should make me happy, or what do I want to make me happy. What really makes me smile inside just thinking about it?
What can't I just wait to do? What makes me giddy? Ooh, don't you just love being giddy.
I'd love to hear some of your responses. This morning a friend mentioned she once made a list of 10 things that really made her happy.
So here are some of the things that make me happy:
creating
doing things anonymously for others
talking with good friends
seeing a beautiful sky
eating fruit
listening to loud music and dancing
reading a good book
cuddling with my grand kids
talking late into the night with my kids
singing around the piano with my family
Just writing these down made me realize that there are a lot of things that make me happy. Really happy. I need to just run to those puddles fearlessly, jump, splash, soak in the moment and relish pure sheer wonderful happiness. And do it today.
I'm kind of giddy thinking about learning what makes you happy!
5 comments:
I like this exercise, I have a lot of the same things that make me happy as you--some others are:
-lying in bed at the end of the day with the TV on eating a snack.
-watching my baby do new things for the first time
-traveling
-the Thanksgiving Point gardens
-watching my 3 kids interacting peacefully
-being in the outdoors, just taking in the wonders of this world
P.S. Love the picture!
Partial list:
-entertaining & hanging with family
-learning something new
-scenic pathways to walk on
-enjoying & creating beauty--flowers, decorations, clothes, etc.
-walking & talking with inspiring friends
-reading & writing
-good clean comedy
-dancing
-eating (should have been listed first by I didn't want to admit it that early)
-experiencing new places
Ooo so good. I don't think I've spent very much time pondering that. I know I've spent a LOT more time thinking about what doesn't make me happy. I'm going to really think.
A few:
exercising with my family
dancing
learning something new
Now the key is to try and do these things, instead of filling my time with stuff that I think will make me happy, but doesn't.
You are such an amazing person! I love your list and your remembering who YOU really are and what really brings you joy. I'm with you on this! Check out Remembering Wholeness. Such a good book!
Your blog makes me happy :)
So does:
Travis - In every aspect
Clara - especially when she's just waking up from a nap
Pedicures (good ones)
Hearing the testimony of a new convert or from the youth
My nieces and nephews
Fresh pineapple
Rodizio Grill Meat
The breath that I take after a real good, sweaty workout
Post a Comment