Day Two - My Quest for Happiness

How did I experience resistance in the last 24 hours?

First of all, I am just getting to this reflection for day two on day three.  Instead of making my scheduled time for reflection a priority, I let other things occupy that time.  I thought, I will just do it when I get home from work.  But then, I let my responsibilities of the night take that time, too.  Thus, here I am today "catching up" and it's only day two.  If that is not resistance, than I don't know what is.

Also, on the way to school yesterday morning, I was frustrated with Alex.  He was in a bad mood already and being quite spiteful.  He hadn't completed his Math Attack and I knew if I told him one to do it, he would completely shut down and not do it at all.  However, if I just kept quiet, I knew he would pull it out and do it, even if it was in the very last minute.  I tried and tried to bite my tongue, but I didn't.  I still said something and that lead to an explosive argument which pretty much put everyone in a bad mood to start the day.  I knew staying quiet would lead to a happier morning, but I could not resist opening my mouth.

The thing is, I know the things that make me happy.  I just don't always do them.  And that is just dumb!

By giving focus and priority to the most important relationships in my life, I am much happier.

I know that silence, solitude, scripture and sacrifice make me a happier person.  But for some reason, those are the first things to go when I feel stressed or anxious or just don't feel like I have enough time.

What I am starting to figure out is that either resistance is going to win or I am going to win.  And let's be honest, I like to win.  So why am I constantly letting resistance defeat me?

It is a challenge to defeat resistance, but there is no middle ground.

In reality, I am an extremely happy person.  But, I don't always let myself fell it because I am focused on something else.  I tend to let little things like worry, anxiety, frustration and comparison drown out my happiness.

Am I as happy as I could be?

Focus:

Find out what really makes me happy.

Act:

Identify 3 activities that increase my happiness.
    1.  Quiet Pray and Reflection
    2.  Long Walks at the Lake
    3.  Road Trips with my kids

Pray:

Jesus, help me to stop chasing the things that destroy my happiness, and fill me with the desire to pursue the things that will bring me lasting happiness.

Amen.