happiness is the new black

http://www.theyearsareshort.com/

1 minute movie. Great message.

Editor’s Note: April was super low on the happies. Let’s hope for a happier, more fruitful May!

#63 Happiness is a day in the sunshine with my kids and good friends.

#62 Daffodils after a long winter.

#61 Date night with your husband and agreat conversation of hope the next morning.

#60 …falling asleep lying next to you, holding your hand.

#59 I absolutely love to soak in the pink glow of my little girls’ room when the sun is shining through their window. Never thought I’d be the type.

#58 if happiness is a place, that’s where i’m going
if happiness is a choice, that’s what i’m picking
if happiness is a battle, that’s what i’m fighting for

we all go to places, make decisions, and fight battles that don’t end up so happy. but as long as happy is what we aim for, we will get there.
so live not for those moments that make up tear up and hide away, but for those that make your heart flutter, your smile widen, and that are simply…happy
xoxo

#57 Seeing your son and daughter kiss and hug repeatedly each and everyday – it’s affirmation that you have done a good job as a parent and there is plenty of love to go around in this here home.

Editor’s Note: (3/1/09) Well, that was a bit of a bust. Hope you enjoyed a wonderful LOVE-filled holiday. Onward!

Here’s your opportunity to gush about your beloved without anyone rolling their eyes. ha ha ha Or tell us a wonderful story of love that you hold dear or has inspired you. It’s all love, all the time this month. Let’s hear it!

Submission Deadline: 2/13/09

Editor’s Note: Happy New Year, everyone! Times are hard for many, if not all, of us. Just remember that love, grace and hope are free and ever plentiful. More than ever, I encourage you to submit early and often. Consider “happiness is the new black” your own personal gratitude journal. Your posts are all so lovely, I practically have to sit on my hands not to reply to each and everyone that comes to my mailbox. Let’s dig deep and make 2009 our happiest, most fulfilling year yet!

#56 I love sharing my life with you. Good or bad, it’s nice to always have you in my corner and by my side.

#55 PRESIDENT OBAMA!

#54 Happiness is your best friend telling you that you deserve the goodness that you have received after everyone else has told you are unworthy of it. Even though she may not be as happy as you at that moment, she can be happy for you.

#53 Happiness is knowing that the man who got you a last minute Christmas gift really does love you even if he isn’t so good with the forward planning of gift-giving

#52 I worked really hard on a project that meant a lot to me and it was very successful.  In the process I made a lot of friends and learned a lot along the way about people and life in general.  Happy DONE

#51 happiness is watching your son sing “Silent Night” in church while holding his little candle.

*Editor’s Note: When I started this happiness project, my goal was to get at least 100 “happies.” I’m thrilled that we’re half way through. Thank you so much. Please, keep the happiness coming, everyone. It is such a beautiful thing! Happy Holidays to you all.

#50 The world turns [and burns] on a thought. Let’s send some good ones out there that will help this man and all the suffering people in the world.” Daily Kabbalah, 12/18/08

#49 Hot married the-kids-are-at-school daytime sex.

#48 On this cold, blustery Chicago morning commute, the bus driver addressed the passengers, “Welcome happy Chicagoans to the Happy Bus. We will be running express until our first happy stop, happy Wacker and happy Columbus. Have a happy day at work and a happy weekend.” Nearly every person thanked him as they exited the bus with smiles on their faces.

#47 When my son woke up from a nap yesterday, I got such a kick out of watching his reactions as he traveled from room to room, discovering holiday decorations he hadn’t yet seen. “WOW! Wookit THAT!”

#46 Happiness is hearing my 3-year old squeal with delight at the mere idea of seeing SANTA today:)  Can’t get better than that!

#45 Happiness is….listening to your 1st grader read you a book!  It fills my heart with love and joy!

#44 Happiness is watching my 3 year old son make his own “bean bag chair” using his wild imagination. Love it!

The Happy vault is almost empty. I know the holidays are super busy for everyone but won’t you please share just a tiny bit of your happiness with us? It only takes a second and it doesn’t hurt, I promise. In fact, when you submit a happy thought, magical unicorns and fairies fly out of your computer screen and kiss you lightly on the cheek. I hear it tickles.

(OK, I made that last bit up. Please DO take a minute to submit though. We have such a good thing going here.)

It’s that time of year. Won’t you please share with us what you’re grateful for? Feel free to leave a comment on this post, email thehappyblog@gmail.com or DM @thehappyblog on Twitter.

Thanks so much!

#36 “Happy Soup” for the cold months ahead

#35 Happiness is realizing your 3 year old hasn’t asked for his “binkie” in 3 days and listening to my 6 year old read a book…love it!

#34 It sounds cliché but service and kindness to others and good old fashioned fresh air chases away the blues for me every time.

#33 Finding the correct medicine and dosage for my son’s ADHD so I can enjoy the real and genuine HIM. Not wanting to swat him and his ADHD away like a fly (and feeling so awful for it) is more happiness than my heart can stand right now. Gotta go give hugs!

#32 I randomly stop everything I’m doing and dance with my kids around the house. They love it and so do I.

#31 Happiness is looking at how sweet your child looks when he is sleeping… and then going to bed yourself knowing all is well.