With US Thanksgiving having just passed and Christmas around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I have to be grateful for. And when I think about all the things that I’ve been blessed to have (the best of which is my wonderful family), I feel quite happy with my life.
This is probably one of the reasons that I was drawn to Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project. I’m not sure about you, but being happy is something that I continually work at to achieve. I find that happiness is the ultimate paradox: it can be found in the simplest things, but at the same time it can be incredibly hard to find.
In her book, Rubin tests out different happiness theories to see which ones really work and which don’t. It is definitely an amazing read. Rubin has even created a fantastic website that helps you discover your own happiness project and ways to implement it.
One of my clients, Matilda Jane Clothing, believes that happiness is best kept by being given away, so when they decided to do a contest that gives “The Gift of Happiness” you can only imagine how thrilled I was to help spread the love!
Contest Details
I will be giving away a copy of The Happiness Project as well as 3 lovely outfits from Matilda Jane Clothing. That’s one for you (pick one closest to your child’s size or just the one you like the best) and two that you have to share with friends! Please note there will be no requests for styles or sizes, and the clothes are not returnable or exchangeable.
To enter, you only have to do two things:
- Sign up for Matilda Jane’s newsletter
- Leave a comment on this post telling me about something that makes you happy (yes, even that first cup of coffee in the morning counts!)
Contest closes on Wednesday, December 7th. I’ll be choosing the winner via Random.org. Please make sure you check in on December 8 to cheer on the winner!
Good luck everyone and I can’t wait to hear what makes you happy!
Elena is founder of a technology PR agency that works with startups to billion-dollar companies. She is passionate about helping marketers and small business owners with practical publicity strategies.
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And more 
Kisses from my sweet children make me oh so happy!!!
What makes me happy is snuggling in bed with my daughter. It’s the simple moments!
I love decorating our Christmas tree. I keep my ornaments individually wrapped in tissue and I love to see the joy on my kids’ faces as they unwrap each one.
When I return home to children that come running up to me yelling moms home!
My children bring so much happiness to my life! What a blessing! Merry Christmas!
When all four of my kids are in bed AND asleep by 8.
A warm bath and a good book to read make me happy.
Subscribed to MJ’s newsletter! Hearing my littles giggling for no reason at all makes me happy!
Hearing my kids laugh makes me happy.
What makes me happy? Thanks for asking. Here are just a few things….My kids laughter and their cuddles, The warm sunshine on any day, Bubbles, the beach, flip flops, an afternoon in the hammock, a swim in a pool, a good book, a good movie, a great song, teachable moments, helping others, my hubby’s hand holding the small of my back, a cozy winter fire, a snowy day, a midday nap, Moss (I like how it is so green and soft, if I could have my yard full of it I would), A newborn baby all swaddled tight, tiny feet, tiny hands, tiny anything really, Love, watermelon, ice cream, chocolate, dancing, the very first moments at any live performance (I am bursting with excitement for what is to come) the list goes on and on…
my two beautiful daughters (22 months and 7 weeks) make smile everyday thru the pure exhaustion!
I have so much to be grateful for and makes my life special and beautiful and makes me truly happy! My family are the theworld to me, my baby girl’s smile, and saying “you my mommy”…I just love that. And when I give her a bath at night, and she is all cuddled up in my arms and I can still see her as my little sweet innocent little tiny baby, even though she is 3, she will always be my my baby:)
I already get their newsletter and lots of things make me happy. Coffee, new shoes, a good book, hubs changin’ the diapers – yep, pretty much!
My happiness is when I hear my girls tell each o-ther “I love you.”
Watching my kids hunt for and finally discover their elf on the shelf’s new hiding spot every morning- makes me smile just thinking about it
Most everything makes me happy …. but the best is …… watching my husband laugh with my daughter.
My daughter telling me she loves me and giving me the biggest hugs and kisses is what makes me the happiest
When I hear my children tell each other that they love each other
The smell of Christmas trees makes me happy.
Watching my daughter’s face light up as she watches young girls’ dancing.
My daughter telling me “I love you a hundred million thousand”
<3
All of the family sitting on top of each other on the love seat rather than anyone sitting alone in one of the oversize chairs. We all squish in and even though someone always thinks they don’t have their fair share of space, no one ever sits anywhere else. This makes me happy.
Hearing my daughter talk and entertain herself in her crib when she wakes up in the morning starts my day with a happy smile!
SO many things make me happy, but nothing is better than spending time with my hubby and our two beautiful children, doing something fun (as simple as going to the park)!
It makes me so happy to watch my 5 children; how very different they all are, and to know they were made that way for a reason. I can’t wait to see their dreams realized as they grow up!
I am thankful for the life God has blessed me with, not perfect but perfectly imperfect. I have just had my son, which was a miracle considering I developed and liver-related condition ontop of my kidney disease and he survived that only arriving 4 weeks early! I am blessed to see his beautiful face alongside my 4 other children. I strive to remind myself to be thankful for what I have been given the opportunity to partake in with my children…you’re very right, happiness is often something we teaching/remind ourselves to be:) I have love and life and am thankful for so much…for just being here to breath & enjoy my babies.
My family makes me the happiest. I love making wonderful memories with my husband and kids that we will remember forever
Ok it’s silly but my 2 little ones like to get under the desk and touch my feet. I pretend it’s a little mouse and they just love it. I’m the only one in the world that has mice that giggle.
As for the MJ newsletter. I already get it and save each one in my MJ folder. Yep, I do have one
Cuddles with my kids makes me happy
And hearing them laugh together.
Something simple and strange: A warm towel, fresh from the dryer. Warmth just makes me smile!
My husband checking on my children before he goes to bed. He can not fall asleep without knowing they are warm (haven’t kicked the covers off) and are sleeping peacefully. He has done it for 9 1/2 years – since our first baby was born – and it makes me smile every night!
When I find my 6 year old playing on the floor with her 8 month old brother makes me happy. His squeals of delight at having her in front of him is priceless.
When my 6 and 8 year old help each other to do things without being told – they are just doing something helpful to be nice to each other.
I am happy about many things, to have a warm home, and food to prepare for my family…but, also putting on my old pink fluffy robe at the end of a long day and a snuggle with my little ones.
I love the smiles of my three year old in the morning and how he wants to snuggle forever. I also love the look of my seven year olds hair when she wakes up. It sticks up everywhere and always makes me laugh so hard in the morning.
Eating popcorn at the movies, when my husband gets up to cook breakfast, hearing these words first thing in the morning “Mommy, I want to snuggle”, chocolate chip ice cream, getting to leave early from work
this time of year makes me happy. Leaving surprises for friends, watching the excitement of children. Seeing the good in people and how that effects others. Such a wonderful time of year!
Seeing my daughter’s smile every morning when I go in her room makes me truly happy. I know she has had a nice nights sleep and is excited to start the day! oh and that huge “hola mommy”, hug and kiss can’t be beat either!!
I am happiest when my daughter comes up to me unexpectedly and says, “I love you momma.”
Making my daughter laugh makes me so happy! At 14mo old realizing she thinks something is funny is so sweet! Thanks very much!!
My wonderful family!
My children’s laughter makes me happy….It is the most wonderful sound in the world.
Watching my son play baseball makes me SO happy!
My daughters’ eyes when they discover the latest hiding place of our elf, Hermie (Elf on the Shelf). Their looks are a combination of pride and excitement. Love it!
My three children and wonderful hubby make me the happiest. Also, I can’t leave out my Mom and Dad who I am truly thankful for every day! Have a wonderful holiday season!!!
The smell of my sweet babies after a bath
Signed up for the newsletter….spending time with my family makes me one happy girl!
Christmas lights
My daughter’s laughter makes me happy.
One thing that makes me gush with happiness is seeing my 19 month old baby girl help give her 8 year old multihandicapped brother a bath or pat his back to keep him happy and make him smile. That’s true love from the heart and nothing could make me happier!