Are you happy?

I’ll give you a minute to think about that.

“Yeah, I’m happy…..ish.”

“I’m not very happy today.”

“Yes! I’m very happy!”

“I’m so blessed!”

What makes you happy?

Family. Friends. A job. Pets.

How often would you say that YOU are the source of your happiness?

I’ll give you a minute to think about.

“My kids make me happy.”

What happens when your kids aren’t around?

“My job makes me happy.”

What happens if you suddenly lose your job? You see where I’m going with this?

YOU have to be happy with yourself FIRST, before other things.

If that’s not happening, a change needs to happen.

For a period of time, I tried to replace happiness with gratitude.

Sometimes it’s hard to be grateful when something is making us unhappy, but it’s so important for our mental and emotional health.

It can be small things!

Today, I’m grateful for the spring peepers that are peeping outside my window this very moment. That means Spring is coming. It’s my favorite season.

I’m grateful for the two sleeping dogs at my feet (mostly because they aren’t running around the house wrestling right now – ha!).

I’m grateful for the mess I left in kitchen Monday morning, because it allowed me to get other things done that I’ve wanted to do for a VERY long time.

It doesn’t take much to find something to be grateful for.

I’m grateful for the few extra pounds I’ve put on because it means I’ve had plenty to eat. Okay, maybe not that one, but Spring is coming and I’ll be able to get outside more.

Choose JOY! Choose HAPPINESS. Choose yourself FIRST! Everything else will fall into place after that.

Aunt Bubba