On happiness

As mentioned in a previous post I've been practicing gratitude for over a year now. And I can't even begin to describe how much happier it has made me.  Honest to God, being grateful has changed my life for the absolute better.  I wish I would've started way sooner.  

I used to be the biggest Negative Nancy in the world.  I thought the world was out to get me.  I was beyond stressed out.  I was unhappy and ungrateful.  I was a bad friend and person in general. I was always counting all the bad things that could happen in any given situation.  Manipulating, mind-fucking relationships can do that to a lady. I tell ya, if you're unhappy in a relationship, GET OUT. It's not worth the pain and agony you're suffering.  And I guarantee there's someone a billion times better out there for you.  I found one, and then totally screwed that up, so maybe I'm not the best at giving out relationship advice... But seriously don't ever stay in a lousy relationship because you don't want to "hurt him" or you think you're in "too deep" already...you're just hurting yourself.  End rant.

ANYWAYS!

I mentioned way back in March that I celebrated 100 days of gratitude by writing in a Gratitude Journal (<click to see all the awesome features and what not).  My gratitude journal is an app on my phone. It costs $.99 and if you're against paying for any apps on your phone, I'll give you a dollar for this one.  Seriously though, I promise it's worth it.  Reflecting on your day and jotting down everything you're grateful for is so simply rewarding. And looking back to the things you've been grateful for on previous days is a great and quick way to cheer up on a bad day.

I write everything I'm grateful for that day. Little things, big things, silly things, obvious things, things others take for granted every day, everything. I'm thankful that my heart is beating, that I'm healthy, that I'm mentally fit.  I'm thankful for pancakes for dinner, kitty kisses, finding a new favorite song to listen to on repeat, happy hour, helping others, the smell of book stores, sunshine, clean water to drink, laughter, finding the courage, supportive friends, smiles from strangers, the way sunlight plays through someone's hair, life-changing opportunities, letting go, that warm and fuzzy feeling when incredibly happy. Seriously, I could write the biggest book on the planet describing all the things you could be grateful for.
And the best thing is, I've come to notice that by appreciating even the littlest things in your day make you appreciate the big things a bajillion times more.

My point in writing this post came from Toni's New Year Project prompt of how can you put more happiness in your life? Simple...be grateful. 

You can see my list of things I do that make me happy, grateful and help me de-stress here from earlier this month.

Gratitude, my friends.
It's worth it. I promise.

xo

100 Days of Gratitude

This year, my number one biggest goal for 2013 was to 

be more positive.

So far, so good!
Thanks to a few key things, but mostly an app I found for my iPhone that I want to share with you.

I downloaded The Gratitude Journal back in December (12/12/12).

(it costs $0.99 but it's completely worth every penny)

Thursday, I celebrated 100 days of Gratitude.

This simple app reminds me that every single day there is something to be grateful for.
I've struggled with happiness and remembering to be grateful in the past and this is the perfect thing to keep track of everything good in your life. And there's SO MUCH to be grateful for, friends.
Sure I'm grateful for the obvious things in life (family, food, shelter, etc.) but I'm also grateful for little things like kitties purring, cranberry green tea, sleeping in, hugs, relaxing evenings, not being hung over, foggy mornings, children's laughter, sunrises and sunsets (with the perfect amount of clouds), taking walks, blue skies and sunshine, hearing birds sing, the sound of rain on the rooftop, sweet wine, the list is endless.

Every single entry, the first thing I add is the simple fact that I'm alive, happy and healthy.
Yes, I'm simply grateful to be ALIVE.
Every. Single. Day.
(How's that for positivity?!)

And every single entry, I end my gratitude list with Kevin.
Always.
Doesn't matter if I was in a mood, or he was in a mood.
I'm always grateful for finding the love of my life.

Here's a little peak at a few entries over the past few months:

                                                                                    Cupcake bullet points because it's my birthday month!

The app has the cutest touches that you can add to everyday entries, too.
Such as:
 bullet point symbols
 font style
font size
a photo
photo frames

They even have a daily quote you can add to each entry!
(my favorite part)

There's a quote I once saw that really hit me hard, which is the reason I decided to download this app.

"What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday."

The first time I read that quote, it took my breath away.  I would have nothing.  That quote made me realize that I need to start being more grateful and thanking God for everything he has ever given me.

Be grateful, friends

xo