I have been inspired by Mel, over at Stirrup Queens to participate in what may end up being an eye opening ongoing exercise for me…. recognizing happiness, understanding how it plays into my everyday life, recognizing that happiness can co-exist with emotions that aren’t very happy.

No, I am not experiencing a Dr. Phil moment.

Well, maybe I am. All I know is I read Mel’s first post about this topic and it hit me on the head that my background “color” to my life for the last couple of years HAS been shades of grey. Fleeting moments of happiness painted over a colorless, grey background. How can I alter that background so that happiness is the major undercurrent in my life and the stressful events end up as the blips on the radar (not the other way around).

Mel’s question:
What is happiness? As in, what is your definition of happiness?

Happiness to me are the little things in the course of a day that bring me great joy. Driving my car with the windows down and a cool breeze wafting though my hair. A quiet moment in the corner of the house sitting in my chair watching a candle flicker. Watching my son dance and sing and twirl. Anything that stirs the emotion of peace and serenity.

So my challenge over the next 30 days is to find it.

Oh, pshaw, I know what you are thinking. Shelli, you have lost your ever-lovin mind. On the contrary my dears.

Challenge One is establishing a Ritual Break. Choosing a ritual to incorporate in my day that will make me happy.

Sooooooo….

Well, how about that, I just lit my first candle. Kinda nice to see it in my office as opposed to my fireplace mantel.

If you want to join in this experiment, click on the links I provided above and blog about it. Considering my mood has been pretty dark lately, I am hoping that this might be a little life-changing idea. At the very least, to paint a little yellow on those grey walls of mine.

Thank you Mel, for thinking up this exercise.