Happiness

1. hap·py

   ˈhapē/

   adjective

   1. 1. 

      feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.

      "Melissa came in looking happy and excited"

      synonyms:

      cheerful, cheery, merry, joyful, jovial, jolly, jocular, gleeful, carefree, untroubled, delighted, smiling, beaming, grinning, in good spirits, in a good mood, lighthearted, pleased, contented, content, satisfied, gratified, buoyant, radiant, sunny, blithe, joyous, beatific; More
   2. 2. 

      fortunate and convenient.

      "he had the happy knack of making people like him"

      synonyms:

      fortunate, lucky, favorable, advantageous, opportune, timely, well timed, convenient

   I have been feeling a lot better. Some days more so than others. I am still dealing with a lot of trembling which really bothers me. I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be happy. It is something that we want. We are told by society and most advertisements that we deserve to be happy. And they say stuff like if you get this or have this then you will be happy. Is it the feeling of euphoria when you are with your best friend? Is it that feeling of contentment when you look around a room you think is beautiful? I think happieness is a choice. It takes determination to be happy in the midst a situation you wouldn't choose for yourself. I think that in order to "be happy" it would require you to look around and choose things that you are thankful for and to observe the simple beauties around you. And in doing this I think you would descover that feeling of happiness and joy. My life can be really stressful and overwhelming. As I have been going through this season of emotions I often think "what the heck was I thinking?!" Having five kids in seven years is hard. It means I don't just don't get time for me. Taking a shower is pretty much a spa experience. It's quiet and no one is touching me. But those five healthy, beautiful children make my life matter. I adore them and I find joy in caring for them. I love when they have full tummys... I love when they are in bed and they have sleepy little eyes and they yawn.... I love when they wake up and their eyes light up when they see me.... I love when they squeeze my neck and their tiny arms just barely touch in the back.... I love to hear them playing and laughing with each other. I am glad that they have so much fun playing together. So part of me thinks that I must do stuff only for me and only then I will be happy. But I am going to challenge myself daily to choose joy in every situation and I really do think that I will find that I am happy. 

   
   

   

   photo credit - jenni dowling