I'm finished with week one (or quite possibly, I have worked on this for 2 weeks?)  anyway!  ....whew!!!  Showing gratitude or thinking of things every day that you are grateful for is not as easy as it seems, but definitely worth the effort to do.  Now, I have learned a few things about myself so far.  I learned that just because I want to be a happier person doesn't make me one.  I have to put the work in to get the reward. I also learned that being a happier person doesn't mean that I won't EVER get pissed off again, but it may take more to get me to that point than it used to.  I also found that taking time each day to think of things you are grateful for does put a lightness in your step.  Unfortunately for me, that lightness doesn't show on the scales!  Maybe after some time I won't have to make an effort to be grateful - I will just BE grateful. 
Here are a few things that I am grateful for:
1.  a much needed rain storm
2.  seeing a movie with my children
3.  having parents who I know love me
4.  that God gave my brother a second chance in life
5.  knowing that someone in this world loves me
6.  knowing that I am not alone in this world

So..whenever I feel like I'm sinking in the "negative pot", I will remember these things that I am grateful for and become more light hearted each time I do.  I think that may sound a little zen!  Again, not a tofu-eating, robe-wearing, shave my head live in the mountains type of zen, but definitely a less chaotic person. 

On to step 2 of the "becoming a happier Jen" project.
Step 2: Cultivate Optimism. 
Try to identify your pessimistic thoughts and replace them with more favorable viewpoints. Ask yourself, "what can I learn?"
Think about what you expect your life to be in one, five or ten years from now. Visualizing a future where everything has turned out the way you wanted. 

Let's see how this goes. There are so many possibilities!!! Will pessimistic thinking reign supreme or will it become the BIGGEST LOSER? 

Step 1

 I've decided it is time to make a few changes to ME!  I want to live a stress-free and joyous life but I'm not sure how to get to that.  I'm not saying I want to be like some eccentric that lives on tofu and spouts off things like, "the flower is life and light to all"!  BUT, I do want to be a more gentle, more loving, more focused person without all the drama that others bring into my life.  I feel that all the drama is weighing me down and killing my spirit and I will not have anymore of it!  This is where in life I get to be selfish!!!!  YEAH!!  OK.  So, the first steps in reaching these goals are.....hmmmm.....ummmm hummmm........*crickets chirping*........hummmmm......consult google.....found an article "Take these 12 steps to a happier you". Let's try it, why not!  So....each week I'll work on a new point and let you know how it goes.  Then at the end of 3 months let's see if I am a happier person!  I like it!  I'm ready to start today! 

Step 1:  Show gratitude.  Each day think of three to five things you are grateful for and acknowledge one ungrateful thought and replace that with a grateful one.  Think of someone who has been important in your life and tell them in a letter. 



So, this week will be the week of gratitude!  I will update when I am done with this step and starting a new one.  Wish me luck and if you are a person in my everyday life - hold on to your big girl panties!