HAPPINESS COMMANDEMENT ONE -- CHANGE IT UP!

Now that I work a routine job with routine hours, I have found that it is easy to get into a rut. To keep things from being the same over and over (like Groundhog Day) it is important to change it up. Take a different route to work, listen to a different radio station, cook a new recipe. Dust or do a load of laundry during the week to allow for some fun time during the weekend. Do something new that you have never tried before. For example sky diving for those that are brave. (Well that is not me!) I did take a painting class. Exercise is also a good way to change up the routine. Walking , bicycling, dancing are all fun and various ways to spend your time. Not only is exercise a way to change it up, exercise clears the mind. Exercise gives you the energy to be inspired and allows for more creative ways to change up the routine. And not being in a rut makes for a happy me!

The Happiness Project

I had a wonderful day yesterday. I was blessed to wake in good health. Fate did not throw anything terrible my way. My husband and I went to look at campers. We shared our dreams of retirement together. We went shopping. We had a yummy lunch. Followed by my favorite, a cup of Starbucks coffee at the bookstore. While at the book store I came across the book The Happiness Project.

So this morning I decided to investigate "The Happiness Project". As I sit and sip my coffee and listen to the rain, I feel very happy, very content. I know without a doubt that God wants us to be happy!

So what does being happy mean? Wikipedia defines happiness as a mental state of well being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. So if happiness is a mental state than we can choose to be happy. By changing our narrative. and our way of thinking, we can choose to be happy in good times, as well as bad times.

In order to change our way of thinking and thus our happiness, we first must identified how we feel and react to our life situation. We must identified our core values. We can then write down our Ten Happiness Project commandments as suggested in the book "The Happiness Project".

So I have decided that I want to start my own happiness project. Not because I am not happy but to identified what makes me happy and to be more aware of all the happiness I have experienced and will continue to experience.

You can check out The Happiness Project blog to help you begin your own Happiness Project. I will try to be better at posting and will post my Ten Commmandments in this blog.

Happiness to All!

John 15:11-- I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.


A cheefrul look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
-----Proverbs 15:30 (New International Version)

My Mission Statement

Life is to embrace, to dream and to discover who I am---a child of God who loves me unconditionally and who forgives me for my imperfections. My mission is to encourage others to discover that they are also children of God who are loved unconditionally and forgiven. I will continously strive to implement my mission not only by my words, but by my actions of being loving, compassionate, forgiving and joyful.