The Crankiness Crusher™

Lately I’ve been a grump. A somewhat closeted grump (meaning I still smile brightly and answer “I’m doing great!” when people ask me how I am), but none-the-less I’m simply not as chipper as I used to be. Granted, it’s been a loooong winter, and I recently threw out my back, and I haven’t had my parents to lean on since they’ve been in Florida the whole month–all not easy when you have two little ones to entertain constantly–but I could still find my happy place at the end of the day chilling on the couch with my hubby and a glass of vino. Sadly, that hasn’t been the case recently: I’m more “bitchy Tara” than “fun Tara” and I don’t like it.  But yesterday, I saw the light–literally.

I was driving my 4-year-old to swim lessons and as we crossed over the bridge into Red Bank (the next town over), I pointed out how pretty the river looked with the sun reflecting off of it. My son agreed, but said that he likes it more when the sun sets “because it’s orange”. When I told my husband about our little exchange over breakfast, he said, “Who doesn’t appreciate a good sunset?” As I sipped my coffee, this comment got me thinking about happiness–and how simple it is to feel a moment of joy when looking at something you like or even just envision it.

I used to write a monthly column for REDBOOK called “Time For You” and on that page I’d list 5 things to be happy about. While sometimes it was hard to come up with stuff–particularly when I was on a tight deadline!–I always smiled while reading the list I had turned in to my editor. So you know what, peeps? Right HERE and NOW I’m going to change my way of thinking, and this blog is going to encourage me to do it–as are you (I hope!). I’m going to shun the woman I refer to as “Dr. Crankenstein” and start focusing on something that makes me happy every day.

Today’s happiness for me is:

Sniffing my daughter’s little feet. Sure they’re sometimes a little stinky, but they’re so tiny and cute and I just love who they’re attached to!

Delicious baby feet!

I hope you’ll join me on this journey towards living a more positive lifestyle. Please free to chime in with what’s making your heart smile today!

XOXO

~Tara