The Happy 30 - Day Seven

Hearing Caitlin 2.0's voice on the phone - after eight days of not being able to speak to her - made me happy today. I have missed her sense of humor and how naturally conversation flows between us. We picked up easily where we last left off ... and that warmed my soul.

The older I get, the more I feel like I have less and less true friends. In my high school years and during college, I felt like I had the LARGEST circle of friends. Heck - I had multiple circles for whatever the occasion. The older "we" get <and the busier> the less time "we" really have time to check in and connect with people. Furthermore, its sometimes becomes harder to pick up where you last left off with someone. I have a handful - literally five or less - friends with whom I can pick up and feel like nothing has ever changed.

 Unexpectedly, Caitlin has become one of these friends. She was the most unexpected friend to gain ... looking back to the day I first met her in the halls of RMES, I never would've guessed we would become as close as we have. Nevertheless, I am grateful for her friendship and the crazy energy and understanding she brings to my life.

The Happy Thirty - Day Six

My final grades are in for my first year of graduate school ... drum roll please ... and I finished with a 3.9 GPA! What has made me happy today?

This positive feedback on my final [ten page] paper for my summer course: "Christina - Outstanding job on this case study. You provided a very well-written analysis containing sound advice and excellent ideas. You applied knowledge gleaned from reading and class discussions. Terrific work!"

I have absolutely no idea how I made it through my first year of graduate school ... it was not easy by any stretch. But I did it and I did it well ... and I am ever so thankful for the big man upstairs watching over me through this journey.

I am also feeling happy after finishing a 4 mile run around my neighborhood. The weather is 84 degrees with a cool breeze, which are excellent conditions for running. I felt light on my feet and air in my chest. My running music play list was on point and I felt alive. This concludes a fantastic weekend with friends. I am looking forward to the work week and what positivity I can experience and find within it.

The Happy Thirty - Day Five

As much fun as the Fourth of July was ... I think we partied a little too hard. My Saturday morning hangover - indicated by a massive headache that took the ENTIRE day to pass - reminded me that my twenty-five year old body cannot hang like it used to. A sign of old age I'll tell you.

So what made me happy as I lay hungover on the couch all day? A burrito bowl from chipotle, lots of water, dosing in and out of sleep all afternoon with a fan blowing cool air on me, finishing season two of Orange Is The New Black and an unexpected visit from my good friend Terwilliger.

Although it was a lazy day, my body get the rest it needed.

The Happy Thirty - Day Four

Fourth of July. Independence Day. Merica. Perfection.

Tradition says that I celebrate the 4th of July with my family. We barbecue at my mother's house then travel to a nearby *spot* to see the fireworks. Always have done this. Thought I always would. However this year I wanted to change things up a little. So I celebrated the 4th with dear friends from college. It was a wonderful time and filled my soul with happiness.

I may not see my Towson friends everyday. We all come from different sides of the track. We all relate to one another in different ways. However I truly feel like this group of people have become family. Our ties back to those tigertown days are unmistakable. Our fellowship together always feels irreplaceable. No matter how much time goes by - or how much our lives change - we are all interconnected and it's always a damn good time when we see each other.

While I may not remember all of what occurred that evening, I am blessed to have celebrated the holiday with some of my best friends.

The Happy 30 - Day Three

With tomorrow being the 4th of July, our camp is closed. So today was my Friday. That makes me happy. I LOVE four day work weeks. One of my most difficult campers was absent today. That made me happy as the remaining campers were better behaved. My second most difficult camper behaved today. Not once did he elope towards the highway (in comparison to doing this 10+ times the other day). That makes me really happy.

However the moment that truly filled my soul with joy today, was an impromptu happy hour with two old friends. We literally sat in the restaurant for over three hours and conversation never dulled ... not even for a minute. We shared our joys, our fears and some of our tears. We laughed and reminisced. We spoke of our families and our hopes and dreams for the next ten years. We complimented one another on the qualities we admire the most about each of us. We ate delicious food and drank delicious drinks.

My heart feels whole. It was refreshing to sit in their company. It felt like home feeling their sincerity and warmth. I felt joy ... thinking that our friendships have come full circle.

It was not too long ago that one of these old friends and I had a falling out. And things were not right between us for quite some time. Today, I rejoice in the beauty of time. Time certainly changes things. Time definitely heals all wounds. Most importantly, it takes a long time to grow an old friend.

I cherished my get together with these two ladies. My soul feels happy.

The Happy 30 - Day Two

What made me happy today?

A full night of sleep. Waking up feeling well-rested and restored. Listening to Hillsong's Ocean on repeat this morning as I prepared for the day. Hearts full of laughter at camp today. Laughing to keep from crying, when my campers were losing their minds and so was I. A great tutoring session with Tyler. Stopping by Mamma's house and her sharing that she had ordered pizza for dinner. Eating three slices of pizza for dinner, while basking in the company of my mother and sister. Being quiet for once ... and listening to my sister share news about her day. Listening to my momma share news about her day. Listening to both my sister and momma share news.

I forgot how nice it is to have company in the evening. Even better, I forget how refreshing it is to stop talking sometimes and listen. To listen to those around you speak and share insights about their lives. To hear about how others are doing and to take an interest. To think about someone other than yourself.

My soul feels peace tonight and I feel blessed. I am grateful for the good in today and the simple things that gave my heart such joy. Here's to the happy people and finding something to smile about everyday.

The Happy 30 - Day One

I think I have forgotten what it means to be happy. The term 'happy' seems elusive to me these days. Lately, I have read several articles and books trying to define happiness. I think what I have come up with is this:

I did not come up with this image or the quote myself. However - to me - this image is spot on. Several people on instagram are participating in #TheHappy30. This trend asks followers to post a picture each day, for thirty days and to state why the posted image makes them happy.

I would like to post thirty blog things, one each day, during the month of July. I tried to start something like this in June, however the end of the school year craze kept me away from my blog. July should be a quieter month and it is my goal to remain committed to this.

Today, I am thankful for my summer camp co-teacher. Bethany and I have been teaching together for two or three years now, and she is wonderful. I admire her heart, her sense of humor and her passion for working with this population of kiddos. She is my rock at summer camp and the reason I return each year. We have so much fun and work so well together, something I do not take for granted. I am looking forward to a great five weeks with her full of laughter and lightheartedness as we work hard to help each of our campers make progress on a multitude of goals this summer.