“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song” Maya Angelou

This past week I felt a real desire to shout for joy about the election and the new hope that is in the air.  I took both of the kids to church mostly so I could sing my heart out and be in the midst of other people who were singing too.  Singing is one of the quickest ways for me to feel connected to joy and my inner peace, although I have no talent at all.  Since my kids are kids, they went a little bananas during the service.  I took them out to the place where all of the parents with small kids go, but the singing and joy just doesn’t resound out there like it does in the chapel.  My need to shout with joy was so big that I dumped Max in the nursery, screaming and crying, so I could get back to the music and connection with the group.  Back in the sanctuary during the exchange of peace with others, I apologized to the woman in front of me for the distraction we had caused during the sermon.  I explained to her that I just needed to be there that day so much, that I brought both kids without any help.  At the same time that I was saying this, she was saying that she was so glad I was sitting behind her.  I laughed and thought she was kidding.  She said that she thought I had such a lovely singing voice and that she “needed to sit in front of me” that day.  I will repeat, I can not sing.  Either a higher presence got into the air and translated the sounds of my voice into lovely singing or the sound of joy can transcend.

Posted under Connecting, Happiness Project

As I mentioned previously, I am working on a Happiness Project and am planning to share it with you in the hopes that you will get something useful out of my stumbling along.

I am thrilled to have my friend Jen join me in this as she is hilarious and has a wonderful perspective on many things — you’ll see.  However, Jen has decided that she doesn’t love the the term “Happiness Project” because, really, what is happiness?  She feels it is a little too demanding of a standard, I think.  So, she has chosen to call her project “The Life Project.”   But, her entries will still be posted here as “The Happiness Project” — sorry, Jen.    I know she’s already planning her own spin-off site, but I’m not worried (you saw “The Joey Show” after “Friends”, right?)

I do understand Jen’s sentiment though and I know many others may feel it as well — how can I strive to “be happy”.  That’s too fleeting — too silly — too “don’t worry, be happy.”   But, while reading “The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness“, I came across the author’s favorite definition of happiness as told to him by Sissela Bok: “Happiness is the feeling that life is going well.”   I like this definition and will be using it throughout the entries for the Happiness Project.

I have also been inspired by  ”The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness” to structure the project with certain areas of concentration — areas that Jen and I feel will be helpful for us to work on and examine so that we might continue to “feel that life is going well” and so that we can help our children to feel this also.  

The areas we will focus on in this Project are: (1) connection/relationships; (2) play; (3)Purpose; (4) Giving to Others; and (5) Learning. 

We hope to write about each category every week.  Let us know your thoughts — lena@lenasnotebook.com — stay tuned!

Posted under Happiness Project

One of the things I am working on with my son, and myself, is to reflect on and be more grateful.  I believe that stopping to recognize and give thanks for the little things, gives one a great perspective and contributes to your overall happiness. 

With Thanksgiving on the way, there are obviously lots of reminders to be thankful.  I love this “thankful turkey” craft I found on Tutus and Turtles as something you can do with your children to celebrate a month of gratitude.  Just make a cute turkey like below and each day before Thanksgiving write something for which you are thankful.  At the end you will have a glorious thankful turkey and a great experience that might even become a tradition.  See here for full  instructions (originally from Make and Takes).

One thing I am grateful for today is how my son’s first grade class has a fun name for each day — “Marvelous Monday, Terrific Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Thinking Thursday and Fun Friday.”  When we talk about what day it is, this actually helps provide a sense of optimism and joy to start our day.  Every day is special.  You just sometimes need a reminder!     

Posted under Connecting, Gratitude, Happiness Project, Holidays

“It’s been a long time coming. But tonight, because of what we did on this date, in this election, change has come to America.” — Barack Obama 
 

Posted under Random Thoughts

I have been inspired recently by The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  I love her idea of studying what makes us happy and then trying to apply it to our own lives.  Everyone’s happiness project would be unique, but I am sure would have many things in common.  She has challenged others to have their own “happiness project” and I am taking her up on this challenge !

I have enlisted a friend to do this with me — I’ll call her Jen.  And, I am trying to see if my husband will join in as well.  We will track our journeys together. 

Part of my interest in the Happiness Project is learning how some of the principles of happiness might also be applied to children.  I will be exploring this as well.  

And most importantly, I know that one of the things that makes me the happiest is to share what I learn with others.  So, it will all be posted here.  It should be fun! 

One the first things I want to do is read The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness and also Raising Kids Who Make a Difference.

I’ll let you know what I find out . . .

Posted under Happiness Project

Yet another reason to vote . . . 

Posted under Random Thoughts