1. Be happy

-Buddha

This quote could not be any more accurate. In my opinion, life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you deal with it. If you don't like something about your life, change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. 

Think about what makes you happy in life. Then try to do LESS of the things that don't make you happy, and MORE of the things that do make you happy. 

What makes ME happy?

• My church. I have been going to this church all of my life. It is funny to me how it went from being a routine in my life to now a necessity. My church provides a peace, comfort, redemption, grace, and assurance of love from my Heavenly Father that you just can not find in the world today. It really is my sanctuary in this crazy, mixed up, chaotic world. 
• Serving others. In my patriarchal blessing (to read more about what that is click here) it says "the key to happiness in this mortal life is through serving others." Why does service make you happy? Because it takes your mind off of your problems and makes you see someone else's needs. I was raised by a mother who is the greatest example of service I have ever known. She was/is always serving, whether it be in our church, to neighbors in need, or family. Now that I am a mother, I love teaching my kids the value of serving others and seeing their smiles as they notice that they have made some one's day by doing a simple act of kindness for someone else. You cannot serve others and NOT feel the warmth of doing good. 
• My family. Family time always makes me happy. When we are all together and not fighting (which is sometimes a rare occurrence), I seriously feel on top of the world. 
• Sunshine. Need I say more? Something about some Vitamin D just automatically lifts my spirits. And it gets me outdoors which is another bonus.
• Exercise. It has been proven statistically. Exercise prolongs your life, prevents disease, reduces depression and improves your mood. I read somewhere on facebook that said "if you have time to be on facebook then you have time to exercise." Ha ha! Guilty as charged. Make time for things that are very beneficial. 
• Music. Music has always been my go-to mood changer. It can brighten a gloomy day and make non-fun things fun. (ie: chores, doing dishes, exercise). 
• Target. Target is my happy place. It seriously is like my Disneyland. My dreams come true in Target. From the second I walk through those automatic doors, I take off the "mommy/wife/chauffeur/maid/cook" hat and become a "Target Shopper." It's magical, it really is.

***Be careful about putting your happiness in things. Houses, money, cars, toys, etc. are all great but if you depend on them to be happy, then what is going to happen if one day they are gone or you never get the ones you want? Material things fade and lose their luster. I see this everyday as a mom. My kids lose interest in toys in days. Sometimes hours. Put your happiness in things that don't fade.


Now that I sound like a mixture of Dr. Phil/Delilah.....time to end this post and start being happy happy happy! {Ok now I sound like Duck Dynasty. Which is awesome because I love them}.


Next up....Be Healthy.