Our Happiness is Measured by US!

     Are we letting ourselves experience joy or

are we setting our expectations too high?

Are we slowing down during our day to experience the small bits of happiness or

are we too busy checking off our list to get to the next thing in our day?

Are we taking time to listen to others as they share a story or

are we rushing off?

     As I sat down on my porch this morning with a cup of coffee, I heard the beautiful sound of a bird chirping! I stopped and thought how beautiful and then thought even deeper as to how happy I was that I was quiet long enough to hear the bird! So often I quickly drink my coffee as I am making lunches, laying out uniforms, and checking my phone. Recently I decided to start setting my alarm earlier, to give myself more time to sit and be still listening, reflecting, and praying before my day gets started and it makes me so happy!

     Next, I was standing at my kitchen island watching the clock, as Miles ate his breakfast so slowly, hoping we wouldn’t be late to our carpool! Instead, I decided to pull a stool up and sit beside him and talk to him about his upcoming day! Reflecting later, about how it must make our kids feel as we rush them around in the morning, when all it takes is an adult decision to shift the alarm clock earlier or start breakfast a little sooner, using different phrases; “if you’re in 2nd grade brush your teeth-instead of HURRY and brush your teeth!!!”  I was so happy as he ran off to school that I had made myself, stop, sit, and BE STILL with him!

     As the day moved on, I found myself checking out at the grocery store with a certain amount of time before I needed to rush to carline (I know you mom’s are nodding your heads!) when the checker started sharing a story about her son. My initial thought was please hurry, but I stopped, looked her in the eyes, and listened. Later thinking about all the  times we need someone to listen to us and how good it feels to actually have someone look us in the eyes and listen to us!

     Fast forward to bedtime. Tuck in time can be a parents least favorite time of the day. Kids don’t want to go to bed and if they do, they are probably so tired there is some sadness involved! But Evian, loves to talk at bedtime! Telling me stories that she has forgotten from her day. I am usually tired and ready for bed myself, but I lay and listen as she unloads her day on my shoulders; and I think about as I put my head on my pillow at night and unload my worries and cares on God’s shoulders. So, I snuggle up next to her and take a minute longer to say goodnight and my heart is so happy!

      And so the days go on, but there is a change! I am more aware, I am making myself stop and add an intentional state of being present! I am trying to pay more attention to WHAT I am doing and WHY I am doing it, WHAT is going on around me?! Tomorrow will I revert back to rushing through my day? Checking things off my to do lists? At times I’m sure I will: I’m only human and not perfect, habits are hard to break, but my prayer is that I will gradually slow myself down and hear the birds sing, pull up a stool and be still with the ones I love, look someone in the eyes and listen, or take a minute longer saying goodnight. I want to be evermore mindful during my day and let myself be happy! Not being pressured to rush to the next thing in our day, being in control of our happiness, and our outlook on life!

What are you rushing through in your day?

How can you slow down during your day?

Are you stopping during the day and letting yourself be HAPPY?