The New Tag (thenewtag.wordpress.com) writes about happiness in a Blog entry entitled: Want kids to be happy? Teach gratitude.
“The biggest difference between people who are generally happy and people who are generally not, is this: Happy people recognize, focus on, think about, talk about and attribute value to what is good in their lives most of the time. Unhappy people don’t. It really is that simple.”
This entry reminded me of a draft I started months ago and finish here. It was after a tough day at school. I asked two different kids these 2 questions: Are you happy? What makes you happy? The first child responded “I don’t know. I am not really happy.” The second child responded: “Yes I am happy. A lot of fings make me happy like. . .” and then she answered in this exact order in about 3 minutes:
popsicles
playing with Haley (friend)
sunshine
school
reading
spelling
playing
Mommy
Daddy
Having Tea
Gavin
Playing with Gavin
Helping Daddy
Counting and Math
Richie
My whole family
Avery the cat
Having dinner
Grandmas
Music and dancing
“The biggest difference between people who are generally happy and people who are generally not, is this: Happy people recognize, focus on, think about, talk about and attribute value to what is good in their lives most of the time. Unhappy people don’t. It really is that simple.”
This entry reminded me of a draft I started months ago and finish here. It was after a tough day at school. I asked two different kids these 2 questions: Are you happy? What makes you happy? The first child responded “I don’t know. I am not really happy.” The second child responded: “Yes I am happy. A lot of fings make me happy like. . .” and then she answered in this exact order in about 3 minutes:
popsicles
playing with Haley (friend)
sunshine
school
reading
spelling
playing
Mommy
Daddy
Having Tea
Gavin
Playing with Gavin
Helping Daddy
Counting and Math
Richie
My whole family
Avery the cat
Having dinner
Grandmas
Music and dancing
I learn so much from kids everyday. Especially from the contrast between those at work and those at home. Thanks The New Tag for reminding me of this event in my life. I attempt to bring the kind of happiness my daughter feels to the students I work with everyday. We all have so much to be thankful for, to be happy about. According to my daughter’s list they are one and the same I presume.
This is a simple answer for me: It is people that makes me happy and I believe my daughters are becoming me in this sense. I love being around people, watching them, talking to them, and listening to them. My children are the same way. Often the first question out of their mouths each morning is: Is there anyone coming over today? Not that they cannot entertain themselves but I believe they are just like me and would rather be with people.
There are many other things in life that makes me happy but it is the interaction with others that is most satisfying and lasts the longest.
By the way, when are we going to get togther next with our families?
Here’s my list of what makes me happy:
dogs greeting me at the door
favourite songs on the radio
hearing kids laugh
listening to O’ Canada
sleeping in my own bed
thunderstorms on hot days
starry nights at the campsite
Each day you have the opportunity to choose to be happy. It is up to you, not your circumstances to make that happen.
Mrs. Moroz
KE Lions