The Happiness Challenge Recap! Kiss Your Life!

The Happiness Challenge Recap!  Kiss Your Life!

Recently I completed the Happiness Challenge: “Can You Be Happy For 100 Days In A Row?”  I think most of us know what it takes to be happy in our lives–heavens knows there’s plenty written on the subject of happiness; we just need to remember and make it a conscious daily decision to be happy!

Like most mother’s, mine wisely advised me that:

“Happiness is a choice!”    

I think any worthwhile undertaking like the happiness challenge, if taken to heart, can’t help but deepen the meaning of our everyday lives…it’s then that we are indeed reminded of the fact that there really is so much for us to be happy about!

Here’s a brief recap of a few of the other things that my happiness journey has helped me remember better…

Happiness is staying true to ourselves!

We all tend to pride ourselves on our personal uniqueness; but sometimes we need to do a better job at extending this individuality to our own brand of happiness instead of letting others determine what it should be.  I am a lot more creative when I take charge of seeing to my own happiness!

One of my favorite quotes on happiness sums this up perfectly:

Happiness is being realistic! 

Believe me, I love a good party, I love going on vacation and going out to lunch with friends.  Spending a fun afternoon shopping with my daughters, daughter-in-law and granddaughters is pure, blissful happiness!  However, if we’re being realistic, for most of us, our days are filled with family schedules, jobs, house upkeep…and the list goes on and on.  I’m so grateful that my dad showed me early in life that a light-hearted “Carpe Diem” is a better way to discover real happiness when going about those things that we may consider mundane and ordinary.

“I have noticed that some people seem to always be looking for some spectacular job or opportunity, a lucky number or what not–which will bring them great wealth or an exciting adventure; then they can relax on easy street for the rest of their lives–only concerned each day with what they can do that will be exciting and fun!  This attitude has had little appeal for me.  It seems so much of life’s pleasures come from caring for small mundane tasks.  Unless a person can learn to enjoy these, much of what life has to offer is lost!” from the history of Leroy I. Jorgensen

Every day can’t be like the 4th of July…but we can certainly make each day happier by seeing how special each one of them really is in their own right!

(Boston’s 4th of July fireworks taken this year by my daughter, Mandi.)  

A moment of unhappiness doesn’t need to ruin our whole day!

Just like how having a cookie or two doesn’t need to lead to unhealthy eating for the rest of the day, similarly a bout of unhappiness doesn’t mean the whole day needs to be a pity party!  (I’ve been guilty of this!)

Sometimes we just need to take a good look around us and find something to be happy about–then, like one of my favorite Mary Englebright card’s says…we can “Snap out of it!” 

It’s probably no mere coincidence that the songs “Let It Go”  from the movie Frozen and “Happy” from Despicable Me 2 are two of the most popular songs being played now…

…more often than not, if we let go of some of the things that make us feel unhappy–especially the ones we can’t control, we’ll experience a truer sense of happiness!  It’s easier said than done, but by taking on this challenge, I really did find myself focusing more on all the wonderful things in my life that make me happy!

It’s also good to remember that others deserve to be happy, so if we’re not “feelin’ it” we shouldn’t bring them down with our grumpiness!

If all else fails, we can do what my granddaughter, Marli, does that seems to add to her perpetual state of happiness and belt out our favorite song to the top of our lungs!

Happiness breeds happiness!

We all have those “go to” people who have that special knack for lightening the mood and putting a smile on our faces–and hearts.

I try hard to take notice and stay in tune with others so that I can be that person for someone else.

Sometimes it helps to just be silly together too!

In wrapping up my 100 Day Happiness Challenge, this quote pretty much says it all…I really do have so much to be happy about and grateful for in my life!

What I’m learning now is…

My happiness did not start nor will it end with this challenge, but I’m learning to be much more aware of the things that make me happy.  It sounds cliché, but the happiness of those I love makes me the happiest!

How do you stay upbeat and happy in your life?  What do you do to keep a positive outlook when life throws you a sucker punch?  

–Mary