An Atmosphere of Growth

As my Happiness Project continues, I am on the last question before my next phase begins. Do you have sources of an atmosphere of growth? In what elements of your life do you find progress, learning, challenge, improvement and increased mastery?

I love this question! Finishing our Leadership Academy in 2010, I was inspired to continue my professional development and am currently enrolled in a governance certification series as well as the Certified Aging Services Professional certificate program. I'm always looking for ways to grow in my career.

Yesterday, I started exercising again (finally). It is an area I struggle with so I am taking one day at a time and celebrating the little victories along the way to keep myself on track.

I just enrolled in an online Italian course as well. Having studied the language in college, I've always wanted to get back to it so when a girlfriend told me she is getting married in Rome I thought, why not now?

In my relationship, I'm continuously trying to grow as a person. Trusting, listening, supporting, choosing happiness. And each day it becomes more of a way of life than a challenge.

Last Christmas I challenged my inner Grammie and created a scrapbook. I mean the real deal! Including aimlessly wandering the aisles of Michael's, feeling completely overwhelmed and getting glitter everywhere. But it was one of the best Christmas presents I've ever given and I will continue to fill the pages as the memories are made.

Wow, this post makes me really happy! I always was a good student and guess I continue to be as I mature. I wonder what I will learn next!

Feeling Right

As I continue my Happiness Project, the next questions to reflect on are: Is there any way in which you don't feel right about your life? Do you wish you could change your job, city, family situation, or other circumstances? Are you living up to your expectations for yourself? Does your life reflect your values?

Now THAT is a BIG series of questions! I wouldn't say there is a way I don't feel right about my life but there are obviously areas for improvement or I wouldn't be starting this journey. You should ask me next week if I wish I could change my job. I do wish I could understand my family (and specifically some members) better. I wish there wasn't the rift that exists between my brother and me. I wish people in my family could be kinder and value one another more, but there is a reason you pick your friends and not your family, right?

I don't know that wish is the right word but I do hope I will still have the opportunity to be a mom. It has always been a dream of mine and one I haven't completely given up on despite my rising age. I do wish I could live a life without secrets... one that means being open and honest in all relationships.

I am not sure what expectations I ever had for myself at age 38 other than being a wife, mother, successful professional, good friend and daughter. Well, 60% isn't bad, is it? Seriously, though, career is (obviously) extremely important to me and I am happy where I am thus far. I do feel that I am good to my family and friends although should probably poll them for their perspective. And I am now positive that the right relationship is more important than being able to say I am married. And I have also learned that having that right relationship is the most important foundation for parenting.

And lastly, does my life reflect my values? Two years ago I would have had to say no. But today, I believe for the most part it does. Having said that, I need to spend some time thinking about my values...

How about you?

What Makes You Feel Bad?

So today's Happiness Project question is What makes you feel bad? What are sources of anger, irritation, boredom, frustration, or anxiety in your life? I hope this is a tougher list to come up with than the what makes you feel good list!

• Being stuck in any type of limbo
• Not being a mom
• People who are totally self-consumed or just don't "get it"
• My mental block about exercising
• Sometimes drinking too much
• The people I love realizing I'm not as special as they think
• Stella's chronic illness and not being able to help her
• Home invasion
• Family drama
• Any type of bigotry (It is 2012 for goodness sake - let it go!)
• Spending what I don't have because it gives me instant gratification
• Letting the people I love down
• Self-loathing (I am way too hard on myself and get stuck in my head a fair amount)
• Not having financial or emotional security
• Death
• Lies
• Nightmares
• Having to own up to this list!

Now this, too, is an extensive list and makes my chest constrict just writing it. What makes you feel bad?

My Happiness Project

I just finished reading the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. For the last couple of years, I wanted to pick it up every time I saw it in a bookstore but since every book I own is from my Mom (and there are shelves and shelves yet to be read), I hadn't purchased it. Until I finished the book I was reading from DC to CLT and needed something else from CLT to MIA.

The book outlines Gretchen's 12 month happiness project but recognizes that everyone's happiness project will be different. As soon as I started reading it, I was taking notes and I'm now ready to start my own. She claims she was happier after completing hers, so I hope for the same outcome. I also hope my happiness will cause others around me to be happier too.

I hope you don't mind, but I am going to chronicle my project here. And since shoes alone can't make me happy, not every post will include footwear. I'd also like to challenge you to start your own happiness project. You never know where the journey will take you!