New Beginnings

Well, it's a new year. I am beginning my Happiness Project. What is a Happiness Project you ask? Several months ago I stumbled across the Facebook page of Gretchin Rubin where she outlined a yearlong project to find out how to be happier. She's also written a book about it (same name) that I am looking forward to reading. It's been a challenging year (okay, 3) so I thought, "why not?" So now I need to get started.

First on the project list is to discover what brings me joy, satisfaction and engagement along with what causes me anger, remorse and boredom.

So...what brings me joy? Snowy days in front of the fire place with a good book, listening to my kids play a game or have a conversation without arguing (really, what mom doesn't find joy in that one?), an OU bowl victory (cut me some slack people it's been 5 years!), an underdog victory in just about anything (did you see Russell win SYTYCD??? Come on that was fabulous considering Jakob was the overwhelming favorite!). I am sure there are other things but let's move on to what brings me satisfaction...right now that would be having the house "un"decorated and put back in order...especially since I have been procrastinating on that one. Feeling good about a job I have finished at work or a project at home that I'd been putting off (believe me there are lots of those!).

Engagement is a little harder. At work I feel "engaged" when I feel like I am part of something. I think you can usually make a choice to be part of the team so maybe this one isn't so hard after all. I think it's harder to engage others in something you are passionate about than it is to engage yourself in something you choose to be a part of. What do you think?

So now it's on to the things that cause me anger, remorse or boredom. Anger is probably easy. I sometimes experience a mild case of "road rage" when driving. My husband would probably disagree...it might be "often" instead of "sometimes" and "serious" instead of "mild". But then what does he know? He drives like a little old lady most days anyway! Other than that I don't think I get angry very easy unless you are messing with my kids. Just ask the father of the kid who punched mine in the eye at football practice this year because his idiot father told him too... I won't go there but trust me when I say, it wasn't pretty.

Remorse is like regrets and I don't like to experience either so those moments are rare. I regret assumptions when I don't seek the facts. I regret not taking a time out instead of hollering at my kids or husband after a trying day. I regret that world peace probably isn't possible in my lifetime. Most everything else I don't regret because it has made me into the person I am today so that's okay. Maybe you have to experience the remorse so you can appreciate the happy moments when they present themselves to you. 

As for boredom...I am pretty sure I have ADD so I don't get bored, I just start a new project!!

Next post...making resolutions that can lead me to my happy place :)