posted on June 27, 2012 by
46 Comments

I’m Choosing Happiness

My head pounds with thoughts and fears and worries swirling inside of it.

It’s overwhelming. Tiresome. Draining.

It’s powerful, grabbing a hold of my heart and yanking the happiness from under me.

It wipes the smile off of my face and quiets the laughter into sadness and tears.

There are so many thoughts and endless concerns that I’m not quite sure where to start.

I could stress over my body image, but I stay quiet.

I could complain about the mess, but instead I leave it, choosing to walk over the toys rather than pick them up for the billionth time.

I could complain about the sleep deprivation but I won’t.

I could worry over the stresses and situations, but I don’t. I push it aside, glazing over the fear it produces.

Instead, I enjoy it.

I ignore the negatives and soak up the sweetness.

I cherish that my kids are playing. They’re happy. They’re engaging. And they’re learning.

I bask in the laughter that bounces from the walls, echoing straight into my heart and filling my soul.

I treasure the late night snuggles and quiet rocks, back and forth, soaking up his sweetness and relishing the baby stage.

I trust in my heart that it will be okay, that we will prevail, and things will turn out okay in the end.

I close my eyes and inhale it all.

I soak it up and let the happiness seep in.

I wash the worries away and set the stresses free.

I could be worried, stressed, frustrated and miserable.

It would make me sad. Short. Angry.

I don’t want to be that person.

My kids deserve more.

My husband deserves more.

I deserve more.

So instead, I choose to be happy.

You have my whole heart in the palm of your tiny hand.

 

*This is written in response to the prompt: “If you want to be happy, be.” ~Leo Tolstoy, linked with Little White Whale.

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Kimberly

I am a busy mom of four, trying to keep my head above water as I swim through the sea of testosterone that has taken over our house. I'm a coffee addict and book lover. My family is everything to me and I often write about my journey through motherhood. This blog captures those special moments in life. This life isn’t easy. It’s not always full of sunshine and rainbows. It’s hard. It’s a struggle. But it’s MY life. Welcome to it. Don't want to miss a post? Be sure to subscribe to my RSS feed.

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Comments

  1. angela says:
    June 27, 2012 at 11:08 pm

    This? Made me smile. Because sometimes just making the choice is the difference between a good day and a bad one.

    Reply
  2. Alison@Mama Wants This says:
    June 28, 2012 at 12:08 am

    I like Happy Kimberly :-)

    Reply
  3. Barbara says:
    June 28, 2012 at 4:03 am

    Beautifully written. Sometimes it is a choice, isn’t it?

    Reply
  4. Erin
    Twitter:
    says:
    June 28, 2012 at 6:25 am

    Yes, you all deserve to be happy. Listening and watching the little ones is often the best cure!

    Reply
  5. Jackie says:
    June 28, 2012 at 8:37 am

    Sounds like you are happy… a perfect place to be.

    Sometimes ignoring the mess around you & simply taking the time to enjoy life is all you need.

    Reply
  6. Life As Wife says:
    June 28, 2012 at 10:05 am

    To hear that happiness is a choice really hits me today. Maybe I need to choose to be happy too!

    Reply
  7. Runnermom-jen says:
    June 28, 2012 at 10:14 am

    Beautiful, Kimberly. Sometimes it is HARD to look past all of the daily stresses and choose happiness. But in the end it is SO worth it.
    Beautiful picture :)

    Reply
  8. Robbie
    Twitter:
    says:
    June 28, 2012 at 10:35 am

    simply beautiful. the choices we make for happiness…perfection.

    Reply
  9. Jessica says:
    June 28, 2012 at 10:42 am

    It’s all about our attitude.

    Just be happy and you will be.

    Reply
  10. molly
    Twitter:
    says:
    June 28, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Good for you, hon. It’s not always easy. Sometimes we choose to sulk instead. But you go ahead and step over those toys instead of picking them up. No one will fault you for that right now ;)

    Reply
  11. Mrs. Jen B says:
    June 28, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Yep, it’s all about what you choose to see. What you change what you look at, what you look at changes. And such. :)

    Reply
  12. Mrs. Jen B says:
    June 28, 2012 at 10:58 am

    Or, *when* you change what you look at. ;)

    Reply
  13. Stasha says:
    June 28, 2012 at 11:41 am

    Love hourglass half full attitude. Always have!

    Reply
  14. Debra
    Twitter:
    says:
    June 28, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    Let is all go and take in the love and happiness…such a good mantra to live by.

    Reply
  15. Mandi says:
    June 28, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    Great post! I needed this little reminder today.

    Reply
  16. Kristin @ What She Said says:
    June 28, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    I’ve learned that while it’s easier to be grumpy and negative, it definitely feels better to be happy and positive. Good for you for choosing happiness. :)

    Reply
  17. Jessica says:
    June 28, 2012 at 5:00 pm

    I’m so happy you’re choosing happiness. It truly is a choice, I’ve realized and once you’ve made it your days will feel much more easy and lovely!

    Reply
  18. Cassie says:
    June 28, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    I was reading this post and getting chills. It was almost as if I were reading my own thoughts. You’re absolutely right, that if you get soaked up and wallow in all of life’s daily stresses, it’s rare that you’ll find your happiness. I love this post!

    Reply
  19. Sarah Reinhart @littlewhitewhale
    Twitter:
    says:
    June 28, 2012 at 11:08 pm

    I’m right there with you on this one. Everyday is full of so MANY choices. And some days I do choose to let the mess and the stress take me down. But, at least (increasingly) I’m aware that I have the option. And it’s okay to let stuff go. Just be. Happy! Thanks for linking with me. Loved reading this post!

    Reply
  20. AnnMarie
    Twitter:
    says:
    June 29, 2012 at 1:00 am

    I’m going to try really, really hard to remember this and to choose happiness. It is sometimes so easy to slip into the other stuff. If I need help, I know where to find you. :)

    Reply
  21. Jackie says:
    June 29, 2012 at 9:07 am

    I do believe you are right Kimberly. Some days it has to be a choice to be happy, and it’s in those moments I usually find those surprises that make it worth smiling.

    Reply
  22. Tonya says:
    June 29, 2012 at 6:32 pm

    Happiness is a good thing. A really good thing and that picture? Swoon.

    Reply
  23. Kimberly says:
    July 1, 2012 at 9:52 am

    I love you.
    That is all.

    Reply
  24. Elena says:
    July 1, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    Awesome glass half full attitude. I need to take a swig from your cup. ;) Glad you’re looking on the bright side.

    Reply
  25. Galit Breen
    Twitter:
    says:
    July 4, 2012 at 8:01 am

    This choice, this way? Is beautiful and lovely and inspiring.

    {truly}

    xo

    Reply
  26. Robin | Farewell, Stranger
    Twitter:
    says:
    July 7, 2012 at 6:40 pm

    Does it work? I saw that prompt and was going to write about how it’s not that simple. At least not for me. But I hope it truly is for you.

    Reply

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