It works for me

When I search for happiness, I seem to come up empty.  It's like I try too hard with all the analysis and pondering.  I just had a thought, though, that I'm missing the things that make me happy just because.  They are little things that seem small and maybe even mundane or trivial, but I think it's those things I should focus on.

For instance, I realize I feel happy when I accomplish something as basic as a grocery shopping trip.  Food in the fridge and pantry makes me feel more secure.  Hey, hey I can feed my kids!  A full (or even half-full) gas tank in my car fills me with relief. 

I used to do this all the time, but got away from it:  preparing for the next day the night before.  The nights I get all the lunches ready and the kids' outfits laid out are worth it.  Yeah, I feel lazy and tired and just want to decompress, but getting all that stuff done provides a sense of achievement for me and I can't even describe how much easier the morning is because of the preparation.  Without the rushing and stressing, the morning is lighter and the moods of my family are lighter as well.  Happy kids = happy mom.  Happy mom = happy kids.

It works for me, so I'll take it.