international day of happiness

Did you know that today is the first International Day of Happiness??  When I first found out Pharrell's song "Happy" was on repeat in my head, because who can't listen to that song and not be happy?!  

Happiness is something that I love, it is simple yet powerful.  Not only is it important for us to be happy, but to spread that happiness to others.  As I've aged a bit I've quickly seen the injustice in the world, the bitterness that people hold onto, the anger they possess.  And I'll admit that there are times when it has been easier to be angry or hold onto negative thoughts.  So how do we cultivate positivity in our lives so that we not only feel joyful and complete, but spread that sweet goodness onto others?  For me, it is focusing on gratitude.  Thankfulness just oozes into a spirit of happiness.  There are days sometimes when it is hard to get out of that "funk" and only see the negatives, but challenging ourselves to start listing things that you are thankful for can instantly change your mood. 

And because I deeply want to be transparent over here, I'll share that the past two weeks have really gotten the best of me.  It has been much easier to hang on to negative feelings, and then take them out on my poor husband.  So I have been trying to tell him "thank you" more often, even over the little things like putting a dish in the sink for me.  And then this morning I woke up with coffee already set up in the coffee maker so all I had to do was press "Start".  This. Made. My. Day.  It was something so small, but to me it meant so much.  And my day was set into motion with an attitude of gratitude and happiness.  

So if you're feeling like happiness is just hard these days I challenge you to start listing things that you're thankful for, even itty bitty things like the sun shining bright outside or the fact that you got a good night sleep.  And then pass that sweet goodness onto others.  Smile at someone you pass.  Hold the door open for a stranger.  Spread happiness. 

And I thought I'd share some pictures of the two people that make me so happy!