I want to get happy. Maybe not "Africa" or "Snoopy" happy, but certainly more than I am now. Don't get me wrong; I'm not unhappy, but I know I could be happier. I'd like to laugh more, frown less and be more fun for my kids. I'd like to view others with kindness, instead of doubt. I'd like to be driven to sing in the shower and spontaneously skip down the street (despite what my kids might say). These things would make me feel happy, be a result of being happy and probably make others happy too. Couldn't you get behind some more happiness? Easier said than done, right?
Wrong. Right now I'm reading a new book called "The Happiness Project", by a new (to me) author named Gretchen Rubin who had an epiphany on a NYC bus one day. She too realized she could be happier and decided to do something concrete and real about it, instead of just complaining or contemplating the idea. She read everything she could find on happiness (which saves me the trouble) and came up with a plan on how to be happier each day. Her project is broken into 12 major sessions that correspond with each new month. In it she does things like organize her closets, create a gratitude list, spend out and commits to more exercise.
Gretchen's project sounds overwhelming, but it isn't. At least I don't think so. Her extensive research, appropriate and applicable quotes and detailed explanation of her steps to happiness make it seem like creating my own happiness project would be a piece of cake. I'm inspired to start one of my own.
Earlier in the week I shared my enthusiasm with my husband and he came up with a list of things he knows makes me happy. It was somewhat predictable, but telling of how well he knows me as well as a testament to how comfortable our marriage is.
Kevin's "Things that Make Meg Happy List" in no particular order:
1. Fresh flowers (so true, but sadly I end up buying them for myself more than he)
2. Zumba ( Latin dancing in a club with a hot young Latino man would make me happier)
3. Red wine (naturally)
4. My kids (goes without saying, and almost doesn't need to be on the list)
5. Reading the Sunday edition of New York Times (but only Sunday cause of the magazines)
6. Taking the ferry home (so chill)
7. Petting Alfie while he lounges on my lap (despite him being a tad jealous)
8. Getting my hair done (thanks Kat and Savannah!)
9. Trips home to Toronto (except if I have to fly)
10. Dinner parties (food, drinks, friends...universal)
There are plenty more things that make me happy which might take hours to write down. I can't think of them all right now which is why I'm going to keep a gratitude list and add to it every few days. They won't all be monumental things like trips and new cars; often they'll be rather small and insignificant like having an abundance of sticky notes. Each of them will be responsible for bringing a smile to my face or a silent nod of appreciation to the universe. I can't wait to get started.
What things make you happy? Please share.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Parenting Class
Earlier this week I saw one of the most ridiculous parenting stories ever and it spurred me into action to start yet another blog. Parenting is what I know (notice I didn't say "parenting is what I'm good at") and though I have a blog about New Orleans, I feel the need to dedicate a blog to parenting from this city. It is a unique enough experience to warrant another blog. So, here goes.
So often I find myself saying "only in New Orleans" while referring to extremely strange, cool and unusual happenings. Now the news story about the very juvenile delinquents I'm referring to is not unique to New Orleans. But Bay-bee, I don't recall seeing such a sad story any place else. So, through guilty by association, I'm going to call this one "only in New Orleans".
Here's the ridiculous skinny - mom leaves two six year olds and a three year old with a "cousin" while she goes to a parenting class for foster parents. She must have forgot to set some ground rules for the kids and the cousin cause those babies broke into someone else's place and stole two garage tools, a CandyLand game, some fudge and a pack of smokes. The police finally arrived to find the kids across the street playing. As they approached, one of the kids took out what looked like a weapon. It was a realistic-looking pellet gun.
I'm trying hard to reserve judgement but DAMN!! WTF kind of lessons are going on at home? Obviously the cousin isn't responsible enough to watch the kids. Obviously the kids are a little fuzzy on stealing and what's right and wrong. I get the fudge and the game but a hammer and a pack of smokes??? Were these intended to be presents?
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say there is a sort of thug mentality of "if I can get it, I can have it" that seems to be prevalent here. Should we leave things on our car seat that are attractive? NO. But, does it automatically mean its fair game for someone else? I'm not saying my kids have never taken anything that didn't belong to them. But not giving back a baseball is a little bit different than walking into someones home and taking whatever you fancy. Sorry, but it is.
Seems to me the whole family could use some more life skills classes. Classes on safety, sharing, on the law and oh yeah, boundaries. And the fact that this woman is a foster parent is a whole other post. Anyone want to chime in?
So often I find myself saying "only in New Orleans" while referring to extremely strange, cool and unusual happenings. Now the news story about the very juvenile delinquents I'm referring to is not unique to New Orleans. But Bay-bee, I don't recall seeing such a sad story any place else. So, through guilty by association, I'm going to call this one "only in New Orleans".
Here's the ridiculous skinny - mom leaves two six year olds and a three year old with a "cousin" while she goes to a parenting class for foster parents. She must have forgot to set some ground rules for the kids and the cousin cause those babies broke into someone else's place and stole two garage tools, a CandyLand game, some fudge and a pack of smokes. The police finally arrived to find the kids across the street playing. As they approached, one of the kids took out what looked like a weapon. It was a realistic-looking pellet gun.
I'm trying hard to reserve judgement but DAMN!! WTF kind of lessons are going on at home? Obviously the cousin isn't responsible enough to watch the kids. Obviously the kids are a little fuzzy on stealing and what's right and wrong. I get the fudge and the game but a hammer and a pack of smokes??? Were these intended to be presents?
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say there is a sort of thug mentality of "if I can get it, I can have it" that seems to be prevalent here. Should we leave things on our car seat that are attractive? NO. But, does it automatically mean its fair game for someone else? I'm not saying my kids have never taken anything that didn't belong to them. But not giving back a baseball is a little bit different than walking into someones home and taking whatever you fancy. Sorry, but it is.
Seems to me the whole family could use some more life skills classes. Classes on safety, sharing, on the law and oh yeah, boundaries. And the fact that this woman is a foster parent is a whole other post. Anyone want to chime in?
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