Finding Your Happy in the Midst of Sadness

I wasn’t ready for this number!

I almost hit the “generate” button again when I saw that the number 52 came up. I remember browsing some of the Happiness lists when I received my journal as a gift from my daughter, and I recalled that the 52nd list was to be some sort of reflection of your past year. (Click HERE to go directly to the website where you can read more about the 52 Lists for Happiness) I thought, “wait, the year has just begun!” Ummm yeah, but, since I’m picking these lists randomly I figured to stick to the plan. I then again almost hit the “generate” button because I was not sure if I could fill out this list. The list has you looking back at your year and highlighting your happiest moments. Hmmm.

Y’all, youz guyz, (whatever your fancy) know that 2019 for me was a year that signified loss. My Dad, my Sister In-Law, Harry’s Uncle and a treasured volunteer. It was a difficult year filled with grief and sadness and I really just want(ed) to shut the door on the year. How easy it would have been to hit that button and move to the next list – but here I am, forcing myself to look back 365 days and remind myself that even during the saddest of times, you can find a glimmer of happy. You know what? It wasn’t that hard.

I think one lesson here is that no matter how difficult life gets, you can find some happiness. No matter how small, if you look really, really hard, there is something there. Another lesson is not to let a year define you. 2019 will go down as a year of loss and sadness, but it will also go down as a year where we took an amazing vacation with my mom, a year we played in the garden, added a new puppy to our homestead, celebrated birthdays and holidays, grew closer to friends and family, and so much more.

Here is my self-indulgent slideshow of happiness. This is in no way captures all of the great memories and apologies if I left any of my close friends or family out. You all know how much I love you and how happy you make me.