Day 2

Day 2 of my happiness project has gone quite well.  I'm feeling happy!

I was the recipient of an unexpected surprise this morning.  That definitely started things off good. Unexpected tokens of affection are definitely the way to this girls heart.  <3

I am finally back on my Irish cooking adventure.  After a bout with the stomach flu, food had become less than desirable.  But, I'm back on the happy track.  Tonight's culinary delight was cookies.  Irish Ginger Snaps.  They turned out alright.  Not my favorite cookie, but not terrible either.  The color needs some improvement and they could be a little sweeter, but this would probably make a perfect cookie to dunk in coffee, if you like that sort of thing.

I spent the rest of the evening watching the hobbit and working on a crocheted baby blanket I plan to donate to a children's hospital in Dallas.  

It was a nice, low-key day.  Happiness level is good.  Now, I'm off to do some meditation.  

Day 1

And so it begins...

I've been lacking in happiness for several months now.  I need to take control of this situation and make some changes to improve my state of mind.  So, I'm beginning a happiness project.  I'm going to start with some of Gretchen Rubin's recommendations, but I'm searching for my own methods as well.

I want to find my smile.
I want to make a difference in the world.
I want to be loved.
I want to give love.

Today, as my first move to make some changes in my life, I joined a group meditation practicing Sahaja Yoga.  It was interesting.  I found it calming and peaceful and something I'm definitely going to explore further.  The teacher recommends meditating twice a day and joining the group meditation weekly.  I'm going to stick with it for a while.

The group meets at the library down the street from me and in one of those crazy life coincidences, I walked in to find the Jen Lancaster book I am currently listening to at work for sale on the withdrawn table.  I have the audiobook, and learned that I am missing out on all of the illustrations that help accentuate the stories in the book.  And, Jen Lancaster is guaranteed to improve your happiness.  If no reason other than the laugh out loud hilarity that she describes during a trip to Michaels.  So, for $1, I picked up the book.  Take that 2014!  A little bit of happiness is already working it's way in.  :)

Then I found the meditation group and learned about the practice of Sahaja Yoga.  We had a very small group and a couple of kids joining us as well.  We start off sitting in chairs, removing our shoes, and placing our hands, palms up, on our legs.  The little girl to my right, I notice, is wearing Dalek socks.  This girl is cool.  We worked on learning about our inner energy and power.  I will be working on self-realization and finding my true self.  The peaceful feeling I got from the class is definitely a step in the right direction.

Here is a link to learn more about it:  http://shrimataji.org/