If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy

While I realize making a New Year's Resolution 17 days into the new year seems a little late, I need to justify it by saying that it took me this long to come up with one, (maybe 'Stop Procrastinating' should have been in the top three). 17 days late or not, here it is: This year, I will be happy.

Sounds simple, right? Wonderful husband, two beautiful sons, crazy yet supportive family, amazing girlfriends.

Happy.

Not always. In fact sometimes, although I don't quite know why yet, I actually find myself rather unhappy. I think it might have something to do with that nagging, self-deprecating voice that tries to tell me I'm not doing it right. I'm not a good mom, a good wife, a good daughter, sister, friend, housekeeper, whatever. Well, not this year! This year is about a new beginning, a better outlook and the decision to be happy no matter what.

I know, I know, puking noise. I get it, trust me. But I've decided this: It'll be a good thing, a snow-ball effect. You know that old saying, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"? Well, I think it'll apply here. Happiness is contagious. It spreads around like a disease. When you are in the midst of a happy person, you find yourself in turn being happy. Like it or not. So, I figure, if there are those around me that don't catch the disease, they are probably people that aren't supposed to be around anyway.

I have tried this before and it didn't work. I'm not promising results here people. What I am promising is to take you along on an adventure with me that could end up being a really fun one. I have learned one thing, happy for me isn't happy for you. And what I thought happy was supposed to look like hasn't worked either. There is no "one" way to be happy. June Cleaver looked happy and if I had to live her life, I would have ended it a long time ago. Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey looked happy and we all know how that one ended. I just read a list of the top ten happiest countries in the world...America is #17.

Yeah. I'm throwing my old ideas about happiness out the window.