Good Monday morning! I hope you all had a great weekend. I usually get excited to hop on here and share our weekend antics, but this weekend rolled by under the radar. David worked all weekend and the rain never ceased, so it was just the girls and me hanging out. Though it means there aren’t many stories or pictures to share, it was quite nice.
We caught up on laundry, decorated for fall, stayed in jammies for hours more than we should have, built castles from magnatiles and made a proper mess in the kitchen.
It was quite relaxing over all and in its own way, refreshing. Though being tucked inside all day with a four year old and 16 month old is far from relaxing, the weekend brought me a lot of joy.
In fact, it had me thinking (uh-oh, introspective on Monday? Here we go….)
Last week a friend of mine asked me if I’m actually as happy all the time as I seem to be. Bold question. It stopped me for a second, then made me giggle because I’m sure if she would have asked David he would get a good chuckle, as the poor man definitely sees me at my wits-end moments.
But as I continued thinking about it, I concluded that yes, I really am a pretty happy person and I kept rolling over that in my head. Why? Why I am so happy?
Of course, the obvious is that I have my health, a hard-working, loyal husband, two healthy girls, a solid roof over my head and good food on my table. Honestly, that’s enough right there for a lifetime of gratitude. I am highly aware of that.
Still, I think a lot of my joy comes from my willingness to see the good and focus on that. I have an odd quality that I’ve had as long as I can remember of purposely focusing on what is good in my life at that moment.
It’s strange enough that I have a vivid memory of being NINE (9) years old and thinking wow, I’ll never be a single-digit age again, I better really enjoy this.
I couldn’t make that up.
From there, it’s followed me from each stage of life. Innately I’ve focused on the positive on each life phase, rather than the negative despite every age/stage having pluses and minuses. In terms of where I am now, I am aware of the negatives. I have little time to myself. David works odd, sometimes crazy hours. I don’t get to catch up with friends as often as I’d like. We can’t just pick up and go do things. There is always laundry to do, lists to catch up on, bills to pay and babies (they’ll always be my babies) that need something.
But all of these pale in comparison to the joy I feel. The joy of being loved and needed so much. The satisfaction of running the household. The memories I am blessed to making to tuck away before life speeds me through to the next phase.
So I remind myself I can focus on the mess (because goodness knows there is plenty of that to go around),
or I can focus on the memories.
And 95% of the time, the memories win, leaving me sitting in a pile of ripped pieces of paper masquerading as “salad” with a goofy grin on my face.
So my message to you on this Monday is to seek the joy and choose it. Wherever you are- what is the good? Find it, grab onto it and let it carry you through.
Because at the very least, it beats the heck out of focusing on the negative.
Now go kick Monday’s booty!
Carla says
Oh wow. I love that story about your nine-year-old self and I’m sharing that with my nine-year-old now.
John J. says
Great message! You live it, display it, and encourage others to see the world through joyful and optimistic eyes. Keep sending it out there. It’s contagious!
Molly says
Love this post so much! You’re an inspiration!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
What a perfect post to start the week! After a rough night of our smoke alarm going off twice in the middle of the night (for no reason) and knowing we have a long week ahead, I have to admit I wasn’t feeling my most positive π But you’re so right that we just have to focus on the good!
julie @ peanut butter fingers says
and THIS is one of the many reasons you are one of my favorite people. when you choose joy the way you do, it makes others want to be around you. your positivity and enthusiasm for life are contagious! π
Cornelle says
Wow, thank you. As a working mom of a 2-year old this is just what I needed to hear and be reminded of today. Here is to a positive week with my wonderful family and hope the same for you :-).
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Your happiness shines through in your blog posts as well, and and that’s one of the main reasons I keep coming back for more (and the ridiculously cute kid pics!).
Believe it or not, I had a similar convo with myself around the same age!
Erin says
This is just what I needed to start my week after an exhausting weekend! Thanks!
Laura says
Wonderful post! It’s a good reminder to focus on the present and keep the negatives in perspective.
Christina says
What a great post for a Monday! This post is one of the main reasons I think so many of us enjoy reading your blog – you are so positive and optimistic.
I had a similar moment as you, but not until I was 21. I was in the first week or two of my semester abroad program in college, and I was feeling lonely and homesick and wondering if I made a huge mistake. Then, one day we were out hiking in the rainforest (I studied abroad in Costa Rica) and I took a moment to look around me, and it suddenly hit me that I was experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and I wanted to enjoy every moment of it. And from that moment on I did, and had one of the best experiences of my life. I always remember my “Costa Rica moment” when I lose sight of the joy!
Kate says
It is always good to be reminded that happiness is a choice. The ball is in our court π
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
Love this! It can definitely be very easy to just focus on the messes and the poopy parts of being a mom (or life in general!) but it’s so important to try and focus on the good parts and making memories. Also, those rainy, messy, not doing a ton other than using our imaginations inside weekends hold some of my best memories as a kid!
Heather says
Here’s to a positive week! For me… I kind of enjoy seeing people post the good things that are happening in their lives. Sure, not every day is a great one, but why do we need to focus on those? I think it’s inspiring when other people can look past the bad days and still see the good in all of the less than perfect moments.
brynn says
Yes, yes, yes! I love this post. Such a great post and reminder. Happy Monday!
Alyssa @ RenaissanceRunnerGirl says
Such a great sentiment to kick off the week and something we all need to keep in mind. I didn’t have that big realization moment until I was about, well, 23. But from now on I try to live every day to the fullest and find joy in the little moments, and trust that things will work out in the end how I want them to.
Kate says
Great inspirational post! There are definitely days on which I have to choose joy. But in my experience you never regret being positive…
Hope you have a happy week…
whitney says
Thank you for being introspective on a Monday. It’s a nice way to get the brain juice flowin’! Hope you have a good week!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I needed this today! π And your car looks just like mine.
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Oh how I needed this reminder today … thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! Your joy definitely radiates through your posts, but you always do a great job at keeping things real too.
SHU says
LOVE THIS. YES!! I try to choose joy at work AND at home. So much to be grateful for. Including your blog π Love this post!
Emily says
I really love this post! I definitely need to have this kind of mindset more often. Thank you for sharing! π
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Wow I feel like our brains work the same way! I had the same thought at turning 9! It felt like such a monumental year for me and one I really wanted to take advantage of and remember. Being able to see the joy and blessings in life truly make life an amazing thing! Even when I’m having a bad day I’m just so grateful to be alive. Kind of weird, but true!
Lauren Brennan says
I ? this! After a particularly rough weekend, this “introspective Monday” post is just what I needed. π
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
Decorating for fall! I love it, and it makes me remember when I was Haileyβs age. Itβs a really sweet and special time with my mom, and I bet Hailey will feel the same when she is 19.
Cynthia says
Aww, I love this post. So often, I find myself planning so hard for the next stage of my life that I am not enjoying the present and where I am at now. That is something I must work on for sure.
Gena says
Such a great post and a great reminder!!! It’s so easy to just keeping saying it’s just a phase, but to find the joy in the phase – now that’s where the magic is. Thanks for sharing!