The Happiness of Today

Somehow, if I forget to be grateful, I find a friend in Ann, who spurs me on to remember that which I am deeply grateful. To remember that I am, indeed, Happy.

Believe, then you will see.
That is how it was for me. So, why wouldn't the same hold true in my wrestling for happiness?

Smile first, then you will be happy.
It reminds me of that little ol' wive's tale that goes: "if you smile, the muscles will release happy hormones to your brain, and you will actually feel happy!" I don't know if the science pans out; but it feels true to me when I try.

If you have not done so, I truly encourage you to read this beautiful post about smiling first, happiness second. or something like that.

Smiles. #22-30.

{#22} I am thankful for my sister, Tammy, who celebrated a birthday yesterday. She is beautiful inside and out.

{#23} for skype. I got to talk to my precious Agniya, in Russia, for free, for nearly one hour today. While I cooked dinner. I miss you like crazy, honey!

{#24} for Amtrak. It is bringing my Caroline to me for a much needed visit this weekend.

{#25} for my Classical Conversations community. Seeing all of you tomorrow. I have missed you!

{#26} for hot dinners, clean faces, and running baths. Not everyone has these.....

{#27} for making it through a trying day without yelling. Praise be to God.

{#28} for sleeping children. even if they were rascals today, they always look like pure precious love when they succumb, finally, to sweet still sleep.

{#29} for a date with my honey, the couch, and a new episode of Chuck tonight. The only t.v. we watch. strange, but us.

{#30} for the health of my loved ones. {I am praying for you Kathie.....}

A glorious morning.

My morning was filled with praises and thanks.

I did what I knew I needed to do. And doesn't that make all the difference? Why are we so stubbornly set against those very things that make our day better?

It reminds me of when I say to my sons,
"Yes honey. You DO need to go pee on the potty. I can tell that you do. You are crossing your legs and dancing. Now, honey. Don't you think it would be so much more fun to play with that toy if you didn't have to worry about crossing your legs, or thinking about going potty?"

and the Lord whispers to me:
"Yes honey. You DO need to sit still, in front of a pretty window, and read my word. Yes, You DO need to exercise and praise me this morning. Don't you think that the rest of your day will go so much better if you tap into my love and start it with victory?"

Yes. Father. I DO know. But, why do I do the things I know I should not do?
Why do I not do the things I know I must?

This morning. I started the way He wants me to. The way I know I should.
So gratitude came easy.

Here is the continuation of my list.
my gifts.
Today, I am thankful:

{#11} for bare branches, perched above cold iced snow. bathed in rising sunlight

{#12} for a room with a view of His creation.

{#13} that I don't find my inner self while doing yoga this morning. Instead, I talk to Him, and hear a lot of noisy beeping tractor-toy sounds. The sound that my house is full of love.

{#14} that school went well this morning. filled with lots and lots of snuggling, and just a tiny little bit of  mommy-nagging.

{#15} for Him. That we have a Worthy One. That I got to meet Him in Revelation this morning. A worthy and slain Lamb.

{#16} that we have a fun field trip planned this afternoon, and that I will not be the one dissecting a mammal heart. Very thankful for that one.

{#17} for a hubby who puts the football game on in the background and proceeds to do 3 loads of laundry and fold them and wash the dishes while I sit on the couch and work away at my dream. Oblivious to how awesome he is, until I see the boys' coats drying on the bannister. I noticed them while I was upside down in downward facing dog.
Matt, you are amazing.

{#18} for the little alfalfa sprout on Christian's head this morning. golly. he is cute.

{#19} that Caleb climbed into bed with me this morning and cupped my face in his hand, and kissed me on my cheek with a big proud smile on his face. Then, he pulled up the covers and snuggled in next to me.

{#20} today, I am thankful again for our heat. negative temperatures this morning.

{#21} that I am still in PJ's, and the boys are too. Yet we learned and did so much already today. Praise to Him who makes us able. and who created us to love snuggly warm comforts.