I love you all. I got 6 fantastic uplifting, encouraging comments on that last post of mine, if only more than one of you lived near me. You helped me realize that I do have fantastic friends, they just don't all live here in San Antonio.
Last year I read a book, The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin. She basically discusses that everyone has their own optimal happiness level. For each person it is different, and for each person different things can help them reach that optimal level. She spends a year doing her own Happiness Project, choosing different things to focus on each month, and measurable goals for each month.
A friend mentioned to me a few weeks ago (or was it a few months? I don't remember) that she had recently gotten the book and was reading it, which reminded me that I wanted to read it again. As I started reading it I compiled a list of things that bring me happiness and have been creating my own "happiness project." It helped me remember that there are all sorts of things that I want to learn how to do, or get better at, or just do more of, and that few of them have anything to do with how many friends I have that I can actually get together with. And it doesn't matter that I don't have friends at church.
I've got books to read, scrapbooking to do, want to do some canning, and really take the time to practice the piano more (just to name a few things from my list). I have some crafts I want to do that will be really hard to do when I have kids, especially some things that I want to have ready for whenever we do have kids. I do have friends that I get together with, and that is awesome. I can be happy doing things on my own when I'm not doing things with my friends.
3 comments:
That's the spirit, Marci!
I assume it can be hard to adjust when you are such a people person and you are finding yourself more alone than you want right now. It can be disappointing to not connect with other ward members enough to instantly bond with them(believe me, I know), but perhaps they just need time to adjust to you. I'm glad that you have been reminded of the other things in life that bring you happiness. But perhaps you should also just invite random people over to your house every once in a while no matter what stage their life is in. You make delicious food, I'm sure anyone worth spending time with will appreciate a dinner invitation. And if you invite couples with children, I would clarify to them that their children are welcome and that you'd be thrilled to have them in your home(as long as you are truly ready for them to visit). I know I'm rambling so I'll stop now, but I don't want you to give up on the relationships you can build with the other church members.
Sounds like you have it all together! I sure wish I did. Some days the to-do list is so discouraging...
Sandy
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