A Merry Heart

One of my personal goals for the last couple of years has been to be a more cheerful, fun person.  By nature, I am not grumpy or grim, just a work horse.  Once we get our basic chores done, my idea of thrills is to organize and clean out a closet.  Woo hoo!  Not surprisingly, this is not my husband or children's idea of fun.

The basic beginning of cheerfulness is just to smile more often.  I made a point of smiling at each of my family as they enter a room.  After a while it actually became a habit.  Next, voice modulation was the thing to tackle.  No hollering.  Unless, of course, your toddler heads down the stairs loaded with puzzles while your nursing the baby.  You might want to holler then, unless  picking up all the puzzle pieces at the bottom of the stairs sounds fun to you.

After that it gets trickier. You want to be more energetic and fun.  That combines attitude with doing.  I made an effort to have a fun attitude about the non-fun things to do.  Like chores. We sing, dance, race, or listen to music while we work. Thats attitude.

I made a list of fun things to do.  I don't actually refer to it but after writing my fun list it became part of my overall vision.  This is the doing.

• go to the library (yes, in our family, that is a blast)
• play at the park
• say 'yes' to having a friend over
• have an unexpected treat
• eat a snack while watching a movie (IN THE LIVING ROOM!)
• do 'cheers' with our drinks
• pick up new bubbles/sidewalk chalk/glitter glue from the store (anything fun, small, cheap, consumable)
• help the children call or email dad or their grandparents
• let them actually use our art supplies  (instead of hoarding the supplies for some grand project down the road)
• hug them, smile, laugh, encourage

The list probably sounds lame to people who are naturally fun. I would love more ideas to add to it.  It has been such a help to me.  I'm not exactly a barrel of laughs but I hope my children will remember a cheerful mom and a merry home.

Comments

[Anon]

Go on a date w/you husband ;-)

[Jenn Miller]

I LOVE this list! You are always so positive and inspiring! Thanks so much!

[suzgallus]

This is a great reminder for me too! I HAVE to remember to smile and laugh and just be goofy more. I, too, can relate to the "work horse" trait!

[kristina]

Bridget,
Your family sounds like loads of fun. The only one we could add is board games and card games. You have me inspired to stop hoarding the art supplies and let them create more often. Thank you!