Happiness Pondered by a Favorite Blog

Do you have a favorite blog? Does it have multiple contributors? Is it a DIY, project-oriented blog? Is it a Mommy blog? Is it a blog about health and wellness? I feel like this particular blog, Pick the Brain, is a fantastic, comprehensive set of articles that serves to refresh me daily.

There's a recent article on four "Short Yet Powerful Quotes from Abraham Lincoln."

Below, is my favorite of the four:

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Does that strike a chord with anyone? It's a kind of conviction for me tonight, and I just wanted to share my answers to the questions that have been provided in this section of the blog post.

1. Who are the people in my life that love and support me? Hmm. Well, I think that my husband and mother are the top two people in my life who actively show me love and support. My grandmothers, all of them (I have 4). My grandfathers. I feel love and support from my brother. And there are several friends whom I can talk to about anything, finding love and support through almost every situation imaginable.

2. What freedoms, blessings, and gifts are you grateful for? First of all, I'm grateful for my immediate family. I've been blessed beyond measure with a healthy and happy husband, daughter, and pets (yes, they are my immediate family) :) I've been given a major gift- and that's to see the opportunity in almost any situation. I don't know how I've been conditioned/conditioned myself to see this, but I am beyond grateful that I discover a silver lining in some pretty shitty circumstances. And to be honest, Justin and I regularly talk about what a blessing it is to be born in America. We have experienced freedom. We are the curators of our own lives. We get to decide our futures. We aren't enduring the trials of a third world country, and we are aware of that in our sometimes short-sighted complaints. 

3. What are the beautiful and simple pleasures all around you? We live in Georgia, a state that values amazing food that can truly touch your soul. We get to step outside and see any of the four seasons. We are surrounded by trees. You could view it as monotonous, but I really think it's just a green oasis. We have ridiculous humidity, or weather that's incredible for someone with dry skin (uh em). We hear our daughter's voice each day, pet our two loving dogs, and snuggle with an old cat. Oh, and I find time to drink wine whenever the time calls for it.

4. What are the purposes that you fulfill, that give your life meaning? I'm still figuring this one out. I'm a mother and wife, so keeping my family together, healthy, happy, and creating a legacy with them is a purpose of mine. Connecting with people and actually improving their lives is something I seek to do, but I don't know my purpose. My life has meaning if I can simply learn from everything that occurs in my lifetime. 

5. Where are you learning and growing to become a better you each day? How appropriate?! I'm learning in almost every area of my life right now. I've made a conscious effort to be present, to challenge myself in already challenging times, and to read everything I can get my hands on, just so I can get it right, or follow a strong example.

If you were to ask yourself these questions, for the sake of recognizing your level of happiness right now, how would you answer?