Happiness is “simple.” We just have to follow this little flow chart.  I don’t think we should always expect to be happy though. Sometimes we need to wait until we’re ready to change again.  I think being aware that we are unhappy is healthy too.  We just have to decide how long we want to stay where we are.

If this was my own creation, I’d add another arrow leading from “Change Something” back up to the continuos happiness cycle, asking the question again after you change something to determine if that leads to happiness or not. Just because you change something does not necessarily lead to happiness again.  I think we have to always be asking the questions and making decisions, every day. We’re never done.

The only thing that is constant is change.

Today I was happy having a mother daughter date with my teenager. I love that she wants to be with me and that I want to be with her. I love her company and watching her grow up, although today I wanted to slow down time. We both went to get haircuts together. Her hair is curlier than mine and we both had ours blown out and smoothed, the way only a hairdresser can make it shiny and sleek.  Seeing her look so beautiful and grown up made me proud and awe struck again. She looked older and I think I looked a little younger, somehow. It’s weird to see me in her and her in me.

Celia made me think of parenthood this week with her FB post that said:  “When you become a parent, you stop being the picture and become the frame.”  Looking at Juliana today, I saw the picture developing and love my role as the loving boundary and frame.

I am happy.