Over the years, my idea of happiness has changed. I imagine this is not unusual.
There are some things that remain constant: a good book, an episode of anything with vampires or demons, a good cup of tea, an excellent glass of fizz. These are the little things in life that can lift my mood, make me feel content, turn a bad day around.
But, as I get older, I wonder more about the essence of happiness. What is it that makes us, rather complex human beings, truly happy? In an increasingly frantic, pressured, busy and, at times, frightening world; what makes us stop and revel in the moment, realise that we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else?
At its core, my happiness is now directly linked to my husband and children. This is wonderful, exciting, inspiring, uplifting and terrifying.
Realising that much of your own happiness is inextricably linked to another’s is both beautiful and frightening: for a control freak like me, where is the control?
But, it is also mind-blowingly amazing!
Happiness for me now is simple, and less selfish.
It is sitting with my husband, watching our children grow; and getting the odd hour to myself to enjoy that book, TV show, cup of tea or glass of fizz :)
So, on this Valentine’s Day, this is my happiness:
- Waking up with the man I love, and rolling my eyes as he tries to pretend the alarm hasn’t gone off, again.
- Hearing the 4yo get out of bed, potter about his room, building things and humming.
- Hearing the 7yo groan and pull the covers over his head, a teenager in the making.
- Hearing the wee girl call for mummy, daddy, mummy, daddy and then sing to her rabbits.
- Waving my husband off, already counting the hours till he’s home again, and not just because it means I can hand him the kids :)
- Dropping my excited boys at school, their love for learning and for their friends makes me smile everyday.
- Taking a class with the wee girl and watching her learn and grow; each milestone a moment of joy.
- Baking with the 4yo, his infectious enthusiasm making me blind to any mess.
- Watching the 7yo read.
- Listening as my husband tells the kids about my magic tummy.
- Hearing my husband telling the kids that he’ll fold them up and put them back…
- Hearing my children laugh.
- Watching my children play together.
- Hearing the wee girl saying lots, lots (love you lots).
- Seeing my husband (big kid) play with the kids.
- Knowing that my husband was meant to be a father.
- Putting the kids to bed and collapsing on the sofa with my husband.
- Going to bed knowing I get to do it all again tomorrow.
I may grumble and groan, I may complain and criticise. I may see that damned glass as half empty at times. But, I wouldn’t wish to be anywhere else, and I cannot imagine my life being any other way.
They say we make our own luck, and perhaps that is true. Perhaps it is simply a case of recognising happiness when it comes along and grabbing it with both hands, and trying not to screw it up too often.
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So true… your idea of what happiness is seems to change as you grow older, more mature, more engrossed in people other than yourself… having a family changes you for the better! Lovely post. Mel
Thank you, making your own family changes everything really x
i seem to have got a bit mixed up and mistook the glass prompt for the prompt prompt!! lol. Hope thats okay x
No problem at all, I loved your post and actually think it fits with both xx
Beautiful post Sara. So fitting for Valentine’s Day xxx
Thank you x
I love that you’ve devoted your list to your husband and kids – I’ve been a bit more selfish with mine! I forgot to put that hearing my little one laugh in his sleep always makes me feel incredibly happy and lucky too! X
Well, my husband and I don’t really do Valentines Day, so it felt like the right post :)
You are so right how scary is it that our happiness in the arms of other’s happiness. our children and our husbands can affect us so. But how lucky are we to have them there to create such happiness too! Fabulous prompt this week, and lovely post. Thanks for hosting.
Exactly, it’s scary, but so completely worth it!
That pretty much sums up a Mother’s happiness. Nothing makes us happier than our children. OH makes the cut too :-) x
Absolutely :)
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This is so lovely. Made me smile and tear up! Gorgeous post and tribute to your husband and family x
Thank you Jocelyn xx
As we get older and so does our marriage, I think it’s about the little things that we so often take for granted. A lovely post, thanks for the reminder :)
Thank you Suzanne x
I really needed your prompt and your post today. I was so down and it reminded me how lucky and happy I am!
This comment completely made my day xx
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It’s so true that happiness changes as our lives do. Beautifully written piece which I kept nodding my head to … and by the way I’m a vampire show fan too :)
Thank you x A fellow vampire show fan, fabulous :)
They are brilliant reasons to be happy :-)
Thank you x
I’ve finally linked up better late than never hey!? It s true how our idea of happiness changes through out our lives. I’m with you and Kriss on the choice of TV shows too! ;-)
Thank you! Can’t beat a bit of vampire action :)
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