At the beginning of this year I’d decided 2014 would be a year of positivity for me. Fortunately I stumbled upon this site here – 100happydays.com and have been focussing pretty consistently on finding one happy thing everyday, 100 days in a row.
It has done me a world of good. The traffic lights turn red right after I go across, my queue at the billing counter seems to be moving faster and the kids seem to be behaving better.
Two things I specifically gained from the challenge
To look for the good in not so good situations
This Saturday I got back from the gym and as I entered the house “Ta Da!!”, said the kids, “look what we made for you!” Even before I could see what they’d made I saw pink… Everywhere.. dry pink colour was over their hands, their faces, their clothes and all over the balcony. Yeah the instinct definitely was to let go. But one look at their smiles and I couldn’t. Then instead of focusing on this…
I focused on this…
and this…
After a few deep breaths I noticed they had kept the mess to the balcony and had also laid out newspapers just like I’ve taught them to, before they start something messy. And I felt the anger melting away. After exclaiming at their artwork, together we swept and mopped and then I sent them off for a bath. Bad situation salvaged!
The other thing the challenge has done is made me
think about ME..
..beyond the kids and family, I got thinking what makes me happy. Of course I love the kids and of course my life revolves around them.. a lot. However, I was glad to realise I find pleasure in so many other little things – watching the sun rise with the husband, a good book, a blogpost that made me go ‘WOW’, a quiet meal, a delicious salad, a hot cup of tea. Of course I was enjoying all of that all along, i just became more aware of it.
Sure, is fun.
Linking to ABC Wednesday
It isn't easy to keep your cool in that first situation. I am pretty sure I would have lost it. Hats off own for that. The thing you say about making time for yourself is so true. Yes, I am a mom and a wife. But I am also me. I deserve to be happy for my own sake and I am glad to say that, like you, I have managed to find my nook. I am happy there and for my own reasons, not those generated by any other role that I may play.
Absolutely right. Becoming a mum is such a wonderful experience that it's easy to forget yourself. A lot of women do it happily and willingly, yet at some point the 'me' IS important.
U'r H is infectious , it spreads and like what !!!!
keep going girl 🙂
Thanks Jyoti. You know you figure in my happiness too!
This is the essence of #100HappyDays. You must be proud of them. <3
Yeah… kind of. At times they do make me happy and then there are 'other' times too when they try my patience no end.
Great post. It is important to think about what makes you happy as an individual. Carver, ABCW team
Thank You Carver. Totally agree.
I wish you ongoing happiness in your 100 days, and counting. Your pink description is sweet, what nice things they have made.
Thanks Joy.
Happiness is a cup of tea : drink and enjoy when its hot .
lol.. right Kalpana it is about the here and now. Thanks for the reminder.
Great lessons to be happy!! Lovely rangolis too 🙂
Shilpa.. they almost made me blow my top. I'm dead scared of rangoli colour – it gets everywhere so faaast.
A happiness-spreading post indeed! Great job!
Thank you.
'H' is for happiness howsoever elusive it might be!
Wonderfully penned!
Thanks Amit.
reframing, making lemonade out of lemons, et al. Good ideas, not always easy to do!
ROG, ABCW
Yeah.. not easy at all but so great when you do manage it once in a while.
Children teach us to be patient! Very well handled situation. 🙂
Sure they do.. thanks.
Yap there is always at least one good thing everyday. Most of the times, there's more good than bad.
frankly my dear.
That's right, I'm having to pick and choose.
Such a good post! I think it's important to focus on oneself every once in a while so you can feel refreshed enough to appreciate everything else around you.
Leslie
abcw team
Absolutely Leslie. Thanks for reading.
Love your attitude and your face shows happiness.
Keep going on your 100 days. I think it's a world changer.
I'm sure trying hard. I hope to keep it going even after the 100 days.
Wonderful Tulika…glad you salvaged the situation just with the swift paradigm shift. Superb!
Als, the me time or the sense of it is very important, I feel, to keep your sanity! 🙂
Absolutely.. specially after you become a mum.. me time becomes more important than ever since it's easy to forget yourself with the kids.
Attitude is everything! And your *happy* attitude is showing in wonderful ways.
Thanks Lisa.. it takes a bit of practice.