Happiness Project

A whole ago...well last Summer at the beach in NC I read a great book called The Happiness Project. I highly recommend. It's about embracing each day, each event ( large or small) and really being in the moment and being grateful for what you have. In the book it talks about 10 promises or commandments to make for yourself to help you enjoy each day, each week , each month. I have the day off work and was cleaning out drawers that I tend to stuff a bunch of papers and junk in. I came across my list. Happy to report almost a year later...I'm doing most of the things on my list on either a weekly or day basis.

1) Laugh more.
- If you know me this comes pretty naturally in my life. I love humor and laugh a lot.

2) See the water everyday.
- Pretty easy to accomplish in SD. I live 2 blocks from the water so it would be kinda sad if I couldn't manage to do this everyday.

3) Always say "please" and " thank you" ...even to rude people.
- Cali people aren't the friendliest in the world but I bring my Southern hospitality with me each and everyday :)

4) Be more patient.
- A tough one for me...but my kids at work help me with this each and everyday.

5) See a sunset at least once a week.
- One of my favorite things to see, experience, and photograph is a sunset. Again...where I live makes this pretty easy. I think I accomplish this pretty much every week.

6) Give people the benefit of the doubt.
- I have high expectations for the people in my life. I get let down or my feelings hurt easily...trying to remember people generally are good and do the best they can.

7) Do one favor or act of kindness day...big OR small.
- I would like to think I do this daily, I try to think of others and be aware of those around me. I'm a kind person who is very fortunate in life... I hope I spread that wealth to others.

8) Hang out with quality people.
- I have amazing friends. People who I rely and count on. People I live and trust dearly...people who care about me and look out for me. Pretty much done with anyone who doesn't make my life better for having them in it. Sounds harsh but the older I get the more I understand my time is valuable...no time for people who aren't.

9) Learn to say NO.
- Not making too much progress with this one. I'm a Libra..a peoria easer. I do stuff I don't want to,..for fear of conflict or hurting feelings. Must. Work. On. This.

10) Keep in touch with good friends.
- Distance and time change make this hard but I try. Email, text, FB, cards, etc. I'm not a big phone talker but I'm always thinking of those nearest to me and genuinely interested in what's going on in their lives.