Happy Books

Happiness runs in a circular motion...

Just like the little boats upon the sea....

You can be happy anytime, anywhere,

You can be happy if you let yourself be.

That was a song that we sang at Girls Camp ... and there is so much truth to that.

Happiness doesn't just run in a circular motion but it is contagious.  The happier that we are the happier the people around us are.  I have a dear wonderful friend who has a "Happy Book" (she has 6 such books actually).  Inside each are numbered thoughts of people ... the things that make them happy.  I was priveleged to write in her book a few weeks ago.  It has been years since I was able to do so.  The number that my happy thoughts started at?  25,128.  That is a lot of happy thoughts from a lot of people! 

What kind of world would we live in if we all practiced writing our "Happy Thoughts" down at the end of the day?  If we all kept a "Happy Book" and focused on those good things that happened during the day? I think that there would be less depression, less arguments, less contention.  It is a choice to be happy. So,   just grab a note book, a sheet of paper, a journal, a BLOG; anything will do.  And just start writing those thoughts.  The simple things: watching the leaves turn colors, carving pumpkins, wrapping Christmas presents, being able to go on a walk, a clean house, your children, your spouse, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Write down anything and everything that made you happy during the day.  It will surprise you.  Once you get started those things that made you smile just pour into your mind and onto paper. 

I challenge each of you to start tonight.  Take that empty notebook or journal and start with the number 1.  Write ten things tonight.  Just ten.  And see where it takes you.  See how you feel.  Remember we are asked to be grateful.  Focusing on our Happy Thoughts is a great way to do that. 

So if I am issuing the challenge I had better take the challenge myself!  Here are my Happy Thoughts for this day:

1- Technology that allows me to communicate with my husband when he is far from home.

2-A healthy body

3-Cyvanna

4-Riley

5-Cale

6-being sealed to my Richard for eternity

7-Friends who infulence my life for the better

8-My Mom and Dad and for all that they taught me

9- walking during the cool mornings

10-having 5 amazing sisters who teach me with their example

11- being a mother

12- homemade bread fresh from the oven

13-baking

14-Training for a 5k

15-Facebook and Blogging

16- Dawna Clements - founder of the Happy Book

17- Myndi Jones Smart and her friendship

18-Jesus Christ and his Atonement

19-The Resurrection

20 - Cross-stitching

Start now.  Start today.  Record those happy thoughts.  You will be blessed with a sense of wonder as you realize all of the things that there are in your day that made you happy.  Good luck and God bless in your happy lives.  Remember that happiness is not a destination but a journey.