Who are your favorite people to be around?

I have a small handful of fellow moms who I especially love to be around. I’m not even necessarily close to all of them, but anytime we’ll be together, I eagerly anticipate those events.  They’re different, these 5 women–different stages of life, different numbers of children, different careers, wildly different personalities.  But I didn’t have to think twice when I wondered what they all had in common…

They’re happy.

I know they’ve had struggles. Things haven’t gone perfectly with their children or their husbands. They don’t have it all together and they’ve experienced loss and grief deeply. But as I watch them, I’m always struck at how they approach their life, even its struggles, with a positive, hopeful outlook. I feel light when I’m around them and I come away feeling restored and energized.  Their happiness is infectious.

Are you happy around your children? I know I’m often not. Exhausted, grumpy, and anxious might be fairer ways to identify my moods.  When I have to spend time with exhausted, grumpy, or anxious people, I know I don’t enjoy it.  Why on earth would I think my kids would feel otherwise about being around me when I’m in those moods?

I don’t expect to be my children’s favorite person to hang out with, and I do want my home to be a safe place for everyone (me included) to let our hair down and experience all the emotions, even if they’re negative. But if I’m not careful, my negative moods can beget more negativity in me, negativity which can put off everyone around me, my children included.

On our way home from dinner last night, we stopped at Michael’s so I could pick up supplies for a Christmas project. On my way out of the store, I could see Jude eyeing me, and I indulged my silly streak and ran toward the car, waving my arms wildly. I’m sure anyone else in the parking lot thought I was crazy, but he thought I was silly and happy and he smiled.

That was a win in my book.

Here’s to capitalizing on happy this week and choosing the bright outlook even when things seem hard.