Happy People
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Happy people are fun to be with. How can I be one of them?
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We have this interesting dynamic going on at our house. Some of my kids are really into laughing, clapping, humming, dancing. Others? Not so much.
Recently, an older sibling was shushing a younger one for expressing that joie de vivre. I commented, “He’s just happy. Happy people are fun to be with. Be one.”
Off the cuff, I sounded a little snarky. And I was. This was my man child talking who is still dancing that line between childhood and adulthood. He’s feeling his way, and so am I. I’ve never parented an adult before.
But, we joked around and turned the light on the moment.
Perhaps both of us have forgotten what it is to be younger and carefree. It’s hard to be happy when the cares of your world are on your shoulders. It’s the same when you’re fifteen as when you’re forty.
Yet the truth is that happy people are a joy to be around.
My friend Jodie is one of the happiest people I’ve ever met. She is enthusiasm incarnate. She juggles home, school, teaching piano, parenting four kids, and a myriad of other concerns, but she’s genuinely enthusiastic and encouraging.
She can find beauty and good in whatever she sees. And then she shares those observations.
It’s a bummer I only see her every couple years. We all need Jodies. In fact, we could all use a little infusion of Jodie in our personalities. Happy people are fun to be with!
I don’t know about you, but I want to be fun to be with. I want my kids to want to hang out with me.
Of course, this starts when they’re little. We can’t wait until we have more time. We need to be pleasant company as soon as possible. Today will become last year before we know it.
A joyful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22
How do we become happier? How do we exude enthusiasm and encouragement to our kids even when we’re weary? How do we balance the cares and responsibilities on our plates and still keep a smile (a real smile) on our faces?
I’d love to know what works for you. Because I want to be a happyier person.
I’m going to be following this & coming back & reading more. i was just thinking I need to change to be more positive & ‘glass half full’ on Sunday
I’m working on being a happier person. A few months ago I realized I was feeling angry a lot. I was focusing on all the “things” I didn’t have. By “things” I mean sleep, seeing my husband, a clean home, etc.
I’m working on counting my blessings, choosing to spend time only with uplifting people, creating more down time (putting less on my calendar), prioritizing. But the biggest help for me feeling joy in a day is when I make my kids laugh. I’ve actually set it as a daily goal. We have lots of tickle sessions lately and it’s AMAZING. My oldest boy (3 yrs) has an amazingly contagious laugh that anyone around him will get out of a funk when he laughs. It’s a wonderful gift he’s blessed with. I’m very blessed by it too.
I actually have a checklist of things I do each day to stay happy. Last year after reading the book by Gretchen Rubin, I decided to do a Happiness Project and had a little discussion group too. This year my theme is JOY. I’m reading books and making changes to add more joy and fun and laughter to my life. It’s something I want to model for my kids 🙂
Sometimes happiness is a choice and sometimes it is not. I once had a friend who was chronically depressed and I actually felt guilty for being happy around her. I think also sometimes people are jealous of people who are happy. It’s what they would like to have, but can’t quite get a handle on it. I love being around optimistic people and try to be optimistic myself. I think if we have those little moments of contentment and happiness throughout the day, the epiphanies follow in time. I’m not sure we can be deliriously happy all the time, 100 per cent, but we can sure as heck try. Sometimes I feel happy on the inside when I look at someone I love, but teenagers balk at the mushy stuff.(peer pressure) I think they think they have to be all grown up and tough the minute they hit their teens. I still do the hugs and kisses even if it isn’t always well received. I think my teen will remember it when he is grown and knows that he has been loved.
I think my happiness comes most when I know what I am doing is right. When I start the day off getting frustrated and loud with the kids, my happiness does not come. When I am being kind and patient and helping them and others, not just happiness comes but really, joy. I guess I am happiest when I forget myself and get over my “woe is me” attitude! Thanks for your thought provoking posts.
Amen. That’s exactly how I feel.
love that verse! Have you heard of Songs for Saplings? They do scripture set to music. I think your kids would really like it, mine do. That verse is one of the songs I really love on the album.
Singing makes me happy!