Week #223 – Have a “Happy Heart-mas!”
Greetings Happyness Tribe — Happy Holidays, Blessed Solstice, and Merry Christmas to all!
Christmas arrives next week! (And…we’re throwing in a full moon just for good measure!)
Many of you know I have been keeping up with my own “Gratitude Challenge” in the 33 days leading up to Christmas Eve. (And, I’ll be “Going for 40” through New Year’s Day!) It’s a way for me to ensure I’m keeping my own heart happy during one of the most stressful times of the year.
As I wrote during the first Gratitude Challenge (Week #119), keeping focused on finding one thing a day to be grateful for actually primes me for keeping an eye out ALL DAY for the things that I appreciate, the things that are going well, and the things that make my heart happy.
Whatever holidays you are celebrating, we’re about to enter one of the most stressful weeks of the year. If you are grieving a loss, a relocation, or a big life change — it may be even more stressful than usual. Before you focus on trying to make others happy (or expecting others to magically return the favor) — take some time to figure out what makes YOUR own heart happy!
Which reminded me of this challenge from Week #14 — just a few weeks after Rob passed:
Your Happyness Challenge for the week ahead: Have a “Happy Heart-mas!” It will be easy to focus on the things that go wrong this holiday week. Instead, pay attention to what makes your heart happy! It may be as simple as your silly niece or nephew (or cat or dog), words to an old song that take you back, an irreverent or inappropriate joke you can share only with dear friend, or a quiet star-lit night…or maybe it’s a bigger challenge like limiting your time to only people you enjoy, getting that extra sleep your body is craving, or saying no to something you honestly don’t want to do. Take note of the moments when you feel your heart lift and your body relax. Keep a list of what makes you happy…and check it. Twice! (And then do more of THAT!)
It may be the difference between naughty and nice this holiday week!
Spread Happyness — tell me, what makes YOUR heart happy?
I wish each and every one of you a “Happy Heart-mas!”
12/21/18 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com
If asked about the positives in my life I would need to say there are none. Not health. Relationships. Career. Finances. Travel plans. Changing lives of others. Security that my loved ones are safe and happy. Peace. World stability. Publish my book. Cross out items on my bucket list. I wanted to ‘make a difference’.
In the past few days I have had a review of what is really important to me
My faith. Friends from church came over and sang carols. My secret goal was my atheist neighbors would hear, see their joy.
My 3rd grade friend, who was provided with the reality of my life in recent months came 4 visit. No 2 people could be more different and yet, our friendship has lasted.
She brougt filet mignon, fries cheesecake, dishes and everything for a nice Christmas Eve with my loved ones.
Today, a beautiful arrangement of flowers were delivered from another Christain friend.
Now, lets not forget my Bella. A cat, who is 100% cat. Independent and stubborn. She is grey with stripes, tiny with polka dots on belly. She is allowing me to rub her sweet tummy and joins me to cuddle.
A candle of hope has been lit. Knowing that Jesus came to earth just to be killed for us. I cannot grasp that knowing i could not suffer and die for sinful, hateful people
I am thankful the peace i feel tonight
Thanks for your comment, Anne. Here’s to a happier and healthier 2019 for you…may the best be always yet to come!