practice 'Happiness Manifesto' periodically

After a long, hard think, I’ve decided it’s time for me to retire this goal. It’s difficult because I’ve become quite attached to this wonderful group of people and I’m not certain I’m making the right decision. On the other hand, it’s not as if it’s irreversible. I believe this goal has contributed a lot to my self esteem over the last year and has helped me grow into a more confident person. Now it is time to move on.

And even though I’m finishing up with this goal, I’m going to make sure I keep up the habit of gratitude.

So in that spirit, thank you to all the wonderful team members out there. It’s been a privilage to have your support and share some of your journey. You are what I am most grateful for.

Today I am grateful:

1. for a quiet day—it’s a welcome relief after the business of the last few days.

2. for special friends who keep in touch

3. for progress in self-confidence—I feel much further along than where I was last year.

4. for another job application handed in—continuing to move forward, step by step.

5. for a chance to regather—Eek! Only 5 days until Christmas! All those presents still to wrap!

Exercise
Made about three-quarters of an hour today. It felt good. I still need to work harder on my Tai Chi though. I’d be more confident if I knew all the movements.

Today I am grateful:

1. that my dearest darling was accepted for his Masters degree—He’ll be studying clinical psychology. He was the happiest he’s been for a little while. You can almost visibly see the pressure has lifted from him.

2. that we could spend some unexpected time celebrating—even if that means eating leftovers and watching anime.

3. for Homeland progress—It’s nice to be working on a story again and have it moving along well.

4. for actually making a start on writing my Christmas cards—I’ve been so terribly slack!

5. for a productive day generally—I like it when things get done.

Phone a friend
Spoke to the Countess today after she’d gotten back from her holiday. It was nice to reconnect.

Exercise completed.

Today I am grateful:

1. for Sherlock 7437—such a wonderful person deserves a birthday full of fond memories.

2. for progress on Homeland—at last! It’s nice to be easing back into it.

3. for chocolate soy milk—is there anything better in the world? Except tea, of course!

4. for a chance to catch up with Merceria—as always it was a real pleasure.

5. for the spectacular sunset—it seems bushfires are good for something at least.

Still keeping on top of this exercise bit, which is good.

Today I am grateful:

1. for the sound of magpies—they sound so cheerful when they carol

2. for the smell of peppermint—in my oil burner

3. for the taste of avocado—one of my favourite foods

4. for the sight of my lovely room—filled with such beautiful things, and gradually becoming less cluttered.

5. for touch—I’m not generally a tactile person, but life would be so much poorer if I couldn’t feel at all.

Today I am grateful:

1. to make my 100th entry on this goal—I believe this is what Saafir calls “cultivating grit”

2. for an unexpected postcard—from the Countess, currently holidaying over in New Zealand. I hadn’t realised how much I missed her until then. It made a nice surprise after the fuss and bother of shopping today.

3. for cricket—you know it’s truly summer when there’s cricket on the TV. Another welcome respite after shopping today, plus an excellent bonding activity with Dad and nice to have on in the background as I’m putting up the Christmas tree.

4. for cool showers—on a hot summer day.

5. for friends that look out for me—and send me job ads they think I’d be interested in. It’s nice to know I’m being looked after.

Today I smiled at strangers on my way to donate outgrown clothing to charity as part of my daily kindness

Exercise
I did some work on the exercise bike and some floor exercises for 20 minutes today. Then later I went for a half hour walk with my dad. Feeling good.

Today I am grateful:

1. for a good night’s sleep—it was just what I needed.

2. for a productive day—I managed to get through everything I wanted to do today, with the exception of putting up the Christmas tree.

3. for some reworked priorities—I realised I needed to make more time to get to the things that were important to me. It’s like that analogy I heard: if you put large stones (the most important things) into a jar first, the sand will still be able to fit in around it, rather than filling the entire jar with sand (or the little things that aren’t really that important). So far it seems to be working.

4. for a cleaner house—it’s been very gratifying to notice the difference.

5. for quiet moments—nothing like sitting in an armchair with a cup of tea, listening to a favourite song.

Exercise
Did an hour and a half of Tai Chi on Saturday. It was just what I needed. I must remember to relax my wrists though. Next week we’ll be having our last lesson for the year, so the teacher had decided we’ll train at a local park instead of in the training hall. I’m really looking forward to it.

This weekend I’ve been grateful:

1. for peace—my entire weekend has been far from peaceful, but there have been moments where it has been that I’ve absolutely relished. December has been a good month so far.

2. for the chance to catch up with friends—it’s been a while since we were all in one place. It was so good just to relax and banter.

3. for the cooler weather—it’s been a nice change from the blazing heat of late.

4. for respite—my back was causing me a lot of pain last night. But the instant I get up and move around I’m fine, which means very little pain throughout the day. For which I’m very grateful.

5. for the chance to go to bed early tonight—I could use the extra sleep after last night. Back permitting, of course.

Plant something
I haven’t done anything with my garden lately, but I did notice that my lavender bush has a second flush of flowers, which pleases me no end.

Today I am grateful:

1. to have finally caught a sunrise—and a gorgeous one too.

2. for a feeling of peace—an auspicious beginning to the new month

3. for Assam tea—I used up my last this morning.

4. for a clean house—I’ve been working hard!

5. for a chance to spend some time with my boyfriend—we see so little of each other during the week.

Plant something
Gave my garden a water this afternoon. It needs to be dug over. The only green things left are the lavender, the irises and the weeds. Of course, the bulbs will bloom again eventually, but in the meantime…

Treat yourself
Polished off the last of those extra specially delicious raspberries today.

Today I am grateful:

1. to be who I am—when you get right down to it, very few people I know would climb onto their roof to watch the dawn, even if it didn’t work out quite as hoped.

2. to live in a country as blessed with birdlife as mine is

3. for routine—after my little jaunt this morning I was exceptionally tired. My routine was one of the things that helped me overcome the fatigue and get back on track.

%{color:blue}4. for George and Vienna Teng %—whose music always manages to uplift me.

5. for Saafir and his gorgeous photos—the world is truly blessed to have seen an individual like him.

6. for thinking about what I’m grateful for during the day—instead of just when I sit in front of the computer. I know it means I’m creating a habit, a mindset.