Go!
"Happy are the people whose God is the Lord." Psalm 144:15
As I searched the word "happy", it's really not as common as cheerful or joy or some other words we relate to happy. But that short verse I began with? That really is key, for me, to happiness.
You see, I'm guilty of losing my happy sometimes. Lysa Terkeurst talks about getting your happy bumped, I think. I'm actually celebrating tonight after completing a 6 week course (3 credits, grad-level) for teaching Mathematics. I needed 1 credit to count for my 2 year license. Those are difficult to find, so I hope that I'll bank some of my credits toward my next renewal.
As I celebrate, though, I was on the Twitter party for FMF and was asked what my happy style was. Here's the link to take the five minute quiz yourself: http://jenniferdukeslee.com/the-happiness-dare/
Jennifer Dukes Lee has just released her book "The Happiness Dare" and her quiz was insightful. I find happiness best with people. When I am giving to them, and helping them. This past year was my first year on staff at our daughters' private school. I loved doing little things for the other teachers. Little notes and gifts, it's something I have always enjoyed. I like to outwardly encourage and express my appreciation for other people. So my ranking was Giver, Relater, Doer on her quiz. (there are five matches you can have, one being your "primary" and one your "secondary".)
As a child? I even cross-stitched "I'm a little doer". But really? God wants me to delight in Him and know He delights in me. My happiness at being loved unconditionally spills out and spreads that love, extends that love to all His children around me.
I enjoy giving compliments to complete strangers. It's kind of a game of mine. I will watch for people who just look like they need a boost (usually women, later in the evening, often the grocery store or Walmart) and find something I genuinely want to compliment them on. It's just so much fun! I don't get anything back except the satisfaction of their response. So many times, they are shaken out of their focus and surprised. I've never made anyone angry, so I'm going to keep doing it.
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| Happy to have had help from a fellow teacher and friend finishing this mural. Even happier that I did it-it's the mascot of our school and I got it done in six days with her help on the final day! |
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| Happy to have a husband who humors me with silly self-timed kissy-face pictures on a waterfall hike with all three of our girls. |
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| Happy when I'm pretending to be a character out of the Bible times for the children at Vacation Bible School. (Fellow worship team member-we both wore wigs and costumes for the week in Egypt) |
So, if you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it, right? I need to practice my happy face around my kids and laugh more. Sometimes Mommy gets waaaaay too serious!
Here's the Sesame Rendition of Shiny Happy People..."Furry Happy Monsters". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BVSvjOY4g4
-Tammy
P.S. Please include your linkup number or url if you would like me to visit your post as well! :)
Great post, Tammy, and thank you for sharing the pictures!
ReplyDeleteOne thing...not everyone shows their happy. I sure don't, being the Inscrutable Oriental...or the Golden Retriever from the Far Side cartoon, "How to Recognize The Moods Of A Golden Retriever". Here's a photographic representation, as the original's copyrighted -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rldaly/3528103122/
It used to discomfit Barbara when she'd ask me 'are you enjoying yourself?' and I'd say yes with a completely neutral expression and tone...but the emotion was genuine.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/08/your-dying-spouse-190-mustard-seed-of.html
Andrew,
Delete'not everyone shows their happy'. So true. My husband comes from a less expressive breed of humanity. His parents did not have much of a reaction at all when we told them we were going to be having their first grandbaby. My mom, on the other hand, shrieked (we were on skype) and my dad almost went deaf!
:)
Love,
Tammy
Giver and relater...two peas in a pod! "A shared happiness is a double happiness." Oh and o had completely forgotten that song "If you're happy and you know it." Love that. I'm in the 5 spot this week.
ReplyDeleteTara,
Deletelove you so much friend! We are peas indeed. The only pod people I want to be with are peas like you! ;)
Love,
Tammy
I love your complimenting game! What a sweet, thoughtful thing to do :) And thanks for the link to the Happiness Dare quiz - turns out I am a 'doer' which really is not a surprise haha
ReplyDeleteEmma,
Deletethanks for letting me know. Doing is definitely high for me, just not the highest! :) So thankful for you!
Love,
Tammy
Well done on completing your course! I loved The Happiness Dare and the happiness style assessment was really interesting. I am a thinker/ giver.
ReplyDeleteI like your game of encouraging and complimenting people- I might have to try that! I liked the video- I haven't heard that version before but i definitely made me smile. I'm at #20 this week.
Carly,
DeleteI would love to hear how it goes if you try it! It's so much fun. It's like a game of 'compliment ninja'. ha ha ha!
That video is a result of the ages of my children a few years ago. I grew up watching Sesame Street as well.
Love,
Tammy
Hi Tammy - you're also a giver of beautiful words. xo I think I'm #21
ReplyDeleteSusan,
Deleteyou continue to bring a smile to my face. Thank you again and again!!
Love,
Tammy
Tammy, I always love your posts. And your pictures? Priceless! :) I love your idea of giving compliments to strangers who look like they need a lift. I need to step outside my busy-ness long enough to look around me. I think I'm going to take up your idea of giving compliments to people who look like they need them. :)
ReplyDeleteJeanne,
Deleteoh I'd love for this to spread. We can call it 'compliment ninja'. We can even make a hashtag. Because that legitimizes everything today. *insert eye roll*
Love you!!
-Tammy
Tammy, congratulations on completing your course and getting extra credits for the future! Way to go! I love the game you play in complimenting strangers. I'm going to try that... and spread some happy! Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteJulie,
Deleteoh I'm so excited that this could become a thing for other people too. It's so much fun! I'm going to call it 'compliment ninja'. :) Thanks for the feedback!!
Love,
Tammy
Love your photos!! You make me HAPPY "Tammypatra"!
ReplyDeleteTondra,
Deletebringing happy your way makes my day!! Especially if it's while I'm wearing excessive amounts of eyeliner and blue eye shadow and a wig. *grin*
Love,
Tammy
Marie,
ReplyDeletethank you. I love seeing you operate in your gifting too! It's beautiful to behold. :)
Love,
Tammy