The Joy of Living

A few days ago I was looking through old photo albums of my wonderful kids and I was overtaken by sadness at the lost of time. So much time has passed these beautiful children have grown from babies to children and I pondered where had the time gone. It has seemed in a blink of an eye that time has disappeared; forever gone. I wondered to myself did I really appreciate the time or was I always looking ahead never really present in the moment, never enjoy the time, never fully absorbing the moments of life. That is when I had a mini epiphany, realizing that I have spent so much time rushing through life I have not been enjoying it. I know I feel happy and blessed with all I have. I look at my wonderful husband and beautiful children and I know in my heart that I have all I need, but although I am incredibly happy I rush through life never savoring the moments, never soaking up the little thing. Life has been a whirlwind rushing past me leaving me spinning. Just then my husband came through door from the library and with a smiling face and sparkling blue eyes ever so pleased with himself and presented me with the book
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin http://www.happiness-project.com/. As I begun to read the book curled up with my fleece blanket another wonderful gift from my husband I filled with warmth and happiness and I realized this was the answer to my epiphany. So I decided to create my own project called The Joy of Living, I have changed the name of my project mostly due to the fact I feel incredibly happy most days but I don`t feel that I am enjoy living. Happiness is defined as a range of emotion from contentment to intense joy, I want intense joy. I believe there is so much more out of life I can get, I want to super-size life. Therefore the joy of living is going to be my project where I slow down and appreciate everyday moments causing a ripple effect turning my incredible happiness into intense joy!

The starting point for me is going to be the list of the Secrets of adulthood in the book The Happiness Project Gretchen Rubin list is:
  • The best reading is re-reading.

  • Outer order contributes to inner calm.
  • The opposite of a great truth is also true.
  • You manage what you measure.
  • By doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished.
  • People don’t notice your mistakes and flaws as much as you think.
  • It’s nice to have plenty of money.
  • Most decisions don’t require extensive research.
  • Try not to let yourself get too hungry.
  • Even if you think they’re fake, it’s nice to celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
  • If you can’t find something, clean up.
  • The days are long, but the years are short.
  • Someplace, keep an empty shelf.
  • Turning the computer on and off a few times often fixes a glitch.
  • It’s okay to ask for help.
  • You can choose what you do; you can’t choose what you LIKE to do.
  • Happiness doesn’t always make you feel happy.
  • What you do EVERY DAY matters more than what you do ONCE IN A WHILE.
  • You don’t have to be good at everything.
  • Soap and water removes most stains.
  • It’s important to be nice to EVERYONE.
  • You know as much as most people.
  • Over-the-counter medicines are very effective.
  • Eat better, eat less, exercise more.
  • What’s fun for other people may not be fun for you–and vice versa.
  • People actually prefer that you buy wedding gifts off their registry.
  • Houseplants and photo albums are a lot of trouble.
  • If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough.
  • No deposit, no return.
    • My secrets of adulthood are:
    • If your take your time you are much more likely to succeed
    • Always eat when you are hungry
    • Sleep when you are tired
    • You do not have to own everything you like
    • Clutter in your house leads to clutter in life
    • Do not google medical issues, it will not make you feel better
    • Laugh daily
    • People do not notice you as much as you think
    • Outer beauty is a lot of work
    • Magazines do not show real people
    • Nagging is like glass in your mouth
    • If your kids act in certain way that you do not like, look at yourself you most likely do the same thing
    • nurture is stronger than nature
    • Do not over schedule time off
    • Act like a child often
    • Humor is a good way to feel better
    • Being positive makes you happier
    • Read the Bible
    This list of mine is going to be the foundation for my project. My goal of this project is to live a life of peace, simplicity, passion, laughter and fun, and reconnect with friends and family. The topics I plan to address in order to reach this goal are: purposeful passion, learning to play again, making time for friends, paying attention, enjoying the unpleasant, being serene and serendipitous, money and happiness, and patiently relaxing. 


    So far the lessons I have learned with the start of my project is to avoid frustration stop multi-tasking. Doing too much at once creates stress and then causes frustration which turns a calm, happy me into a mean mama and nobody likes a mean mama. 




    Next lesson I have learned is cleaning things that aren't dirty is a special kind of crazy. This lesson occurred to me while mopping the floor and I realized that I do not know the Queen so she most likely is not stopping by for tea (I know it`s shocking), I do not need a pristine house, nobody cares what my home looks like. Organized and tidy creates a relaxed environment, pristine is not necessary. 

    For my mom

    Katherine the Ballerina

    Win a $100.00 Gift Basket from Baby Gourmet

    With Mother’s Day quickly approaching Baby Gourmet wants to give one lucky Mom a $100.00 gift  basket of luxury feeding and baby products, including Baby Gourmet baby food! Simply send me your best memory from your first year as a mom to leronowich@yahoo.ca or by comment by next Friday May 6, 2011 and I will choose the winner and post it on Baby Gourmet Facebook page., Baby Gourmet would like to ask mother’s . where the winning story will win a $100 gift basket.




    The day you were born was a special day, the moon whispered your name and I held your little hand and your fingers wrapped around mine and I whispered in your ear “welcome home little one”. My world changed when God came and place such a precious gift in my arms. I have so many plans and hopes for the both of you and I hope that the days are long and the nights are short, and when one door closes a new one is opened. May you always show the world the warmth of your smile and choose the path that comes from your heart. Keep your worries small and your dreams big and always remember the door to home is always open. You are never alone and you will always be loved. I promise to support everything you do and to hold you when you are hurting, I promise to show you a life that is true, honest and with hard work anything is possible. You can be anything you want to be. I hope you always reach for the stars and never quit. You are a special beautiful person and this world changed the moment you took your first breath. I feel truly blessed to be a part of your world I learn from you, I admire you, and I love you. You are a star that shines a light down on this world. I pray every day to be the kind of Mother you need and I promise to show you kindness, patience and to nature all your talents and I will always be proud of you. My heart now beats because of you and I will give you the best life has to offer and you will always know my love. Never worry about the rain, or cold, or dark I will be there to hold you and kiss you and show you faith; in my arms you will always be safe. You are everything that is and that will be you are the wind, the rain, the earth and sea, and because of you the world is more beautiful.
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