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15 Days of Happiness :: Enjoy the Flowers

May 17, 2013 jennifer Musings on Life and Beauty

In my flowerbeds I planted Ranonculus several years ago. In my climate it’s supposed to be an annual, but apparently there’s a little micro-climate in my yard that they survive in. I wondered when we had sub-zero temperatures for so long this winter if they would make it or not. Imagine my happiness to see their leaves poking out of the ground a few weeks ago.

They’re small flowers, but are possibly my favorite flower ever. They come and go quickly in my garden so I have to consciously stop when I notice them or they’ll fade by the time I remember to go back.

So many things in life are like this. We think they’ll still be around for us to enjoy when we have time, but the world keeps spinning and many of life’s simple joys must be appreciated NOW.

I’m a big fan of enjoying the flowers in life. Studies have shown repeatedly that fresh flowers boost our spirits and increase happiness. So head out to the garden and enjoy yours. Stop along the side of the road to look at some. Pop into a flower shop and treat yourself to a bouquet, or if that’s too much, buy a single bloom and bring it home. Maybe you could buy two and share one with a friend. It doesn’t matter if you buy them yourself or if they’re given to you; they bring happiness just the same.

Study your flower. Smell it. Notice the layers of petals, the lines, the curve of the stem. Notice how saturated with color they are. Study them and remember that the God who created these masterpieces also created you.

I wish I had a field of flowers I could cut, bundle and send to everyone I know.

I think I need to head outside for another look!

Happy Living, Jennifer

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15 Days of Happiness

May 13, 2013 jennifer Musings on Life and Beauty

I woke up last night every hour or so with the realization that I’d been trying to solve one difficult problem after another in one tense dream after the other. When, at last, it was time to wake the children for school, I already felt mentally worn out. While the things I was stressed about in my dreams were completely unreal, the feeling of dealing with successive problems was. As I look at the calendar and try to merge it with my to-do list for the duration of the month I wonder how we will possibly accomplish all that needs doing.

My next thought was that this is it. Today, right now, this month, is what I have to work with. While I know the stress of May will decline when my children are grown, it’s my reality for a good many years and I want the next few weeks to be fantastic. I want to accomplish much, feel happy and energetic, and help my children do the same. Much as I look forward to summer vacation, today is the time to be happy. It’s my responsibility to make time every day to feel and recognize joy.

To keep myself on track, I’m going to post a little series called “15 Days of Happiness.” Every day I will share something I’ve done that day which nurtured happiness. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in the last 18 months is that happiness is a choice, but it’s also a skill. We can learn to do things in ways that naturally enhance our happiness, making it easier to greet life’s challenges with equanimity. I’ve come a long way in developing some of these skills, but feel that I need a little brush-up course. It will help me finish up May with a happy heart and should also be a great springboard into summer. (I picked these flowers from my garden to help get me in the spirit.)

~~So come back tomorrow for Day 1, and let’s make these next 15 days the happiest of the year so far!~~
*edited to add: It seems there should be a spot for a list “15 Days of Happiness” posts, so here it is:

Day 1: Wear A Smile Day 2: Make Time Your Friend Day 3: A Deep Breath Day 4: Enjoy the Flowers Day 5: Give a Gift Day 6: Try Something New Day 7: Live in the Moment Day 8: Do Something you Enjoy Day 9: Paint Something Day 10: Pull Some Weeds Day 11: Plant a Garden Day 12: Memory Lane Day 13: Rearrange Something Day 14:

Day 15:

Happy Monday, Jennifer

One comment abundance, flowers, happiness

Pretty

July 31, 2012 jennifer Color

I’m loving the colors on these hydrangea blooms right now. The pale grayish blue at the edges, dark blue in the center and a hint of green. These blooms have lasted since Easter! What a feast of color they’ve been all these months.

HH