Being grateful for my happy days so far:
I can’t quite believe I’m already one third of the way through my ‘100 days of happy’ project.
Wowser.
I can honestly say that I’m glowing with happiness and gratitude from the inside out and that feels really amazing.
I’m thrilled that I’m managing to write most days, and grateful that I’ve given myself permission not to write if I don’t feel up it.
I noticed after the first couple of weeks that I was putting myself under too much pressure to post something every day; my CFS symptoms flared up and I had to take a break.
After I’d paused for a breath or two, I knew I needed to be gentler and kinder with myself. I accepted that it’s completely ok if I miss a day or two. And if I do, I’m comforted in that I still look for my happy during those days and instead of writing this blog, I write a couple of lines in my gratitude journal.
And that’s ok.
I’ve accepted that my blog doesn’t have to be perfect. I’ve accepted that I don’t have the time to edit and re-edit, again and again. And that sometimes my energy battery has just enough in it to write a few lines. I’ve decided I can revisit certain topics I’d like to expand on, after the 100 days.
I initially worried that what I wrote was a load of rubbish and not worthy of anyone else’s eyes. But then I realised it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.
And that’s ok too.
I’ve noticed how ‘100 days of happy’ project has already had a hugely positive impact on my state of mind:
- Being grateful helps me see there is so much to be thankful for, and helps me keep a positive mindset, even on the most difficult days.
- Being mindful helps me stay grounded and present. It also helps to realise there is so much joy and beauty surrounding us, we only just have to take a moment and open our eyes to see it.
- Being kind gives me such joy and a sense of purpose. It’s true what they say about the giver benefits as much as the receiver.
I love doing my anonymous acts of kindness. It’s so much fun and if I can make the recipient smile, then that’s brilliant. If the recipient then pays it forward, what more can I ask for.
What I have found more challenging is being kind to strangers face-to-face. It’s pure ‘out of my comfort zone’ stuff. As I gently, and sometimes not so gently, nudge myself to do them, I feel so happy afterwards. That’s after I’ve got over my initial embarrassment of course. But I know this will get easier the more I do.
I’m also surprised by how kindness has come back to me in terms of others’ reactions to my kindness gestures. I hadn’t considered this before, and it’s a beautiful bonus.
All in all, I’m chuffed to bits that I thought of this project and started it. And here I am, 33 days on. I’m really looking forward to see what the next 67 days of happy will bring… and beyond.
So for today, my happy is being grateful for my happy days so far.
I agree about the gratitude journal-I started years ago when Oprah(!) suggested it and have done it every night before I go to bed-5 things- and it really makes me stop and think of the joys in my life. Of which there are many-but can get lost in some of the everyday happenings. Keep on Keeping on!
Absolutely lovely Eileen, I think it was either Oprah or Louise Hay who inspired me to start my gratitude journal – it really is life-changing 🙂