1st month report!

Today, the first month of my Happiness Project is officially over.  This month was to work on being more positive.  Hmmmmm.  Of the thirty-one days in the month, this is the number of times I gave a positive comment to each member of my family:


Andy:  12 (...!!!...)
Me:  14
Ethan:  21
Olivia:  19


I was SO surprised to find out that Andy got the least amount of comments!  YIKES!  I thought I was in last place for sure!  I feel so bad about this.  I figured the kids would get the most because I'm around them the most but it gives me a new perspective on my relationship with my husband!  After being married for over ten years, I think I've become lazy in my communication with him.  My greatest lesson this month:  Don't take your husband for granted.  He's still a human being trying to do the best he can and he needs a few words of encouragement.  WOW!  I'm really glad this month is over.  Next month will be more hands-on.  I'm looking forward to that.  I feel a bit ashamed and embarrassed over the results of this month.  I might have to put it back in the cycle for another try.  It was a difficult one to start off with.  I'll be announcing my new resolution for August tomorrow!  Cheers!

A shipwreck...

"Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats."  ~Voltaire  


I don't intend to be a downer; I just intend to be honest.  I found this quote by Voltaire very fitting for my life.  It acknowledges the fact that life really is difficult but we always have a choice to find something positive.  This past week was a bit more successful than the week before so I do feel like I'm improving.  I haven't actually asked my kids or my husband if I seem more "positive"--I'm afraid of what they'll say!  But I think I will do that this week.  Ask around to find out if anyone has noticed anything different.  I'll leave with one final quote:


"If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one."  ~Cavett Robert

A slow week...

My intention was to post something yesterday but I was doing Shutterfly pictures instead!  This week has been harder for me to keep my resolution going.  Consistency is very hard!  Even when I would stand there toward the end of the day, trying to come up with something positive to say to one of my dear children, I would often draw a blank.  I have to say that that lack of response reflects my state of mind lately.  And by lately, I mean the past 18 months.  I was just saying to my husband how much I wish I could be consistent in my moods.  Maybe that would help me be more consistent in my actions and words.  My wish would be to have a stable mood for an entire month straight.  I think that since my mom's death, my brain has not functioned like it used to.  Maybe it will come back, maybe it won't.  I will wait and see.  So, wish me luck as I continue to find the positive in my life.  Now I'm off to Harry Potter!!!

My first week...

Coming up with a daily positive comment for everyone in my family has proven difficult this past week--mainly because we just got back from vacation and I tried to start while we were still gone.  It's been hit and miss because of that.  But!  I can see that it is becoming easier for me now that I'm home and can focus on it more.  I am becoming more conscious throughout the day as I focus on what my kids and husband have done that would prompt a positive comment from me.  I'm finding that it's easier than I thought.  It's harder to give myself the positive comment, but I'm working on that even though it takes me more time to figure it out.  I have discovered that a "positive comment" can come in all kinds of forms:  a compliment, an encouraging word, noticing something that would not have been noticed before, or just a statement that I can see makes my kids or husband feel better about themselves.  I'm glad I have a month to work on it.  Hopefully I will improve over time and it will start feeling more natural to find and focus on the good moments of the day.  So far, so good!

July: Be More Positive!

So I begin!  This being the first month of my happiness project, what better way to start than by trying to be more positive!  I printed off a resolution chart and here's what I've decided to do:  give one positive comment to each of my children, my husband and myself EVERY day!  I have a place to check off the box (and who doesn't love to do that?!!) for each day that I actually accomplish that task.  I think I will post once a week and write about how things have been going.  I'm also trying to come up with other things I can do that would help me be more positive this month.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know.  Otherwise, I'll keep brainstorming.  I think the hardest part will be giving myself the positive comment, but I'm determined to do it.  Wish me luck!  Happy July!