Happiness is...

It feels like I've been chasing happiness for so long that I was beginning to focus on the chase and not ever realizing that it was here already.  Always looking for the next book that would ensure happiness in 5 easy steps.  Writing about it.  Blogging about it.  Watching Oprah for God's sake.

Somewhere between changing diapers and endless bottle feedings, I have started to feel like myself again.  I'm walking and writing, setting crazy-unrealistic challenges, and above all, dreaming again.  My life feels like my own again, and just like that, happiness isn't something to chase anymore.

What I've learned is that happiness is a work in progress, a never ending intention at the beginning of every day.  For me, happiness comes in and out of my life like a season, or perhaps more like a sunny day in Michigan.  It has always felt as if I only noticed it when the moment has passed.  I haven't always enjoyed it when it graced me.

Life and/or work has always gotten in the way, but now it seems to be the catalyst for my lighter demeanor as of late.  One thing I know now is that happiness is a choice, and when your brain has a moment to slow down and actually make the choice, it comes to you more clearly.

Gratitude is another reason for the mood shift.  Happiness and gratitude should go hand in hand, because where there is one you'll always find the other.  I started a 28-day gratitude challenge 10 days ago (yes, even before the November gratitude month), and have found myself moved to tears most days.

In a nutshell, I am a bumbling idiot.

But a happy and grateful bumbling idiot.

It isn't perfect yet, but I am not worried about it.  My life is unfolding as it should, and I'm not going to miss any of it any longer.

I'm thankful for the messy days, because it makes the other days (okay, my days off) seem so much easier.

I'm thankful for the lazy moments, because I deserve them.

I'm thankful for kids that make mistakes, because that is how they learn.

I'm thankful  to live in a world with Blake Shelton, Ryan Gosling, and Bradley Cooper.

Seriously.  That is a given.

So what are you grateful for?  What happened today that was great, or even so-so?  What did you do today that made someone smile?

Answer these questions every single day.  And don't stop saying thank you.

This world can be a little unforgiving, and we can be really hard on ourselves.  The best thing you can do is start every day over with a grateful heart, thanking God for whatever you can think of.

Yes... even for Zac Effron :)

Who could forget about him?

Now, that is happiness.