Happiness Project

Summertime is usually a very happy time of year for most people.  School is out, families travel to their new fun destination for vacation, picnics, sun....blah, blah, blah.  Not necessarily fun for me.  I am bored, sad, and alone during the summer months.  While I enjoy my independence, I do not like to be lonely.  When Rennie works out of the state during the summer, my emotions turn into a sad pity party and I mope.  Living in a city away from my family who really no longer need me because they have their own lives, having four doggies to care for and the cost of boarding them is tremendous, dealing with bad days where everything seems to go down the tubes, and cramped finances, makes one stay at home most of the time and that just makes me sad.  I constantly deal with bouts of depression and dark days.  Ok...enough of that - moving on!


Thankfully, I have had angels come to the rescue that remind me to be grateful for the little things and for things that go right.  Sometimes it is the simple things that make ones day, like someone sending me a note, a text, or calling me just to check in on me - those things usually cheer me up a bit.  Spending time with a friend at the movies and chattering away for several hours, visiting a quaint town with other sweet friends, scrapbooking at my favorite scrapbook store and making new friends there, or just having a conversation about next year's school planning keeps from falling into the black hole - like Alice in Wonderland.  


One angel this week came to my rescue when I was stranded in the parking lot of Wal-Mart.  My car battery died while I was in the store and I had no way of changing it out - no one in the store would/could help me, I had no tools, I was hot and mad and unsure as to what to do. After I made a crying phone call to a friend, this wonderful person came to my rescue. They changed the battery for me and didn't make me feel as though they were "put out" about helping me, did it all with a smile, all along while telling me everything would be alright!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! May your kindness be returned to you ten fold.  I am forever grateful and thankful!


Today as I enjoy my morning java and complete my regular morning computer routine of emails, Facebook, and Pinterest, I came upon this site. As I read about her summer project I wanted to participate in it also.  By focusing on the positive things in my life and things that make me happy and not the negative stuff, I will hopefully make it through the summer being less depressed and sad than I have been.  You can read her blog and see her idea, here. 


In a nutshell, her idea is called "Mapping Happiness."  I quote her, "The premise is simple.  For the next three months, I plan to categorically set-out to identify who, and what, makes me happy.  I figure that by focusing on the more positive aspects of my life, I'll know which to invest in when life throws me a curve ball.  Also, rumor has it that by practicing acts of happiness, we, in turn, "feel" happier.  I figure it's time to put the theory to the test!"


She has a craft project that goes along with it and I enjoy love craft projects.  I'm sure I can come up with the supplies that I have around the house to make my Mapping Happiness project.  


How many will join me?  Let me know what you think!


Until next time... ~Pamela