happiness list

Last month I asked some Seven Cherubs readers to share what makes them happy.

Here are a few lists to inspire you and uplift you during your day:

From Danimezza:

Light: the way it reflects, shimmers, effects moods, gives depth and enhances everything in our world. I never thought something so simple could enchant me my entire life and lead me to so many positive things in my life. Capturing light is a major part of my life and the way I express inner self.

Family: The way Aidan is the perfect mix of me and the person I love and appreciate most in the whole world, my best friend, my husband. When we have group hugs, get in tickle fights, read books and make meals together... just being.

Marriage: I didn't know it could be this good, this fulfilling. I make him laugh and he wipes my tears. Not to sound too cliche but he's my best friend and I'm glad he's the one I spend all my time with.

Sex: It might not be as often but still blows my mind every. single. time.

Fashion: Shopping alone or with friends, constructing outfits (even if just digitally via Polly Dolly) being inspired by magazines, photographs and the whole industry. The way I feel when I slip on my favourite jeans.

Camera: It's my craft, my trade, my passion... my photos.

Hair: When my hair looks and feels awesome, I feel confident, pretty and positive. One of my never-fail self esteem boosters.

Food: Cooking a meal for my family which they devour and beg me to make again. Just watching my son's face as I carve a roast is so flattering it's almost hilarious.

Friends: Talking, sharing, laughing, consoling, planning, praising, apologising, loving, fighting... I couldn't live without them and they know who they are.

Blogging: It's a way I document everything in my life that makes me happy. My interests, my loves, my happiness. It's allowed me to connect to people who would otherwise be strangers and it's given me a greater sense of self.

From Rebekah:

My boys
My hubby
Family
Marking off items on my to do list
My first coffee of the morning
Listening to Garrett learning to read
Listening to Ande sing Happy Birthday
Hearing Ande say 'My mummy my best friend'
having Garrett give me cuddles and kisses, just because
Getting random midday love messages for Jase.

I hope that you can find a dash of happiness in your day today.

We are off to the playground for a picnic lunch and I know it is going to make me happy!

How to be happy * Never Give Up

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One of my blog dreams is to help women be happy. By writing out my thoughts and ideas, I hope that I can especially uplift mothers at home. Many days as I have been writing and working on my blog I have felt discouraged. I have even felt that keeping up with this blog has been too hard with seven children and that I am really not making that much difference.

On these days, I have to give myself a serious talking to and remind myself that helping just one person (even if that person is me!), makes it all worth while.

Several times I have seriously thought I should give up.
To let it all go and to just plod along taking care of my family.

I know if I stopped my blog, nothing drastic would happen.
Life would go on for me and for everyone else.

Except now that I have started, my heart is tied to so many others.
I care deeply about them and want to continue to help them in any way that I can.

At time in my life when I really wanted to give up more than I could count, was when I was studying at University. It was a hard slog keeping up with assignments, working to support myself and wondering if what I was doing was worthwhile.

All the hard work and effort seemed to fade away into the background the day I stood on a stage to receive my degree. Even though I was about 6 months pregnant and had to have a spew bag with me because I was throwing up continually, it was a wonderful feeling knowing that I had worked hard to achieve my goal.

I felt great and relieved that I did not give up.

So to help you (and me!) keep going and to never give up here are some great tips I found:

22 reasons to never give up - here.
5 reasons to never give up on your dreams - here.
13 reasons to never give up - here

If that does not help you out then maybe you need to listen to a little:
Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give you Up here.

Even if his song does not put you in a better mood his dance moves will surely make you smile!

To help you smile a little more today I thought I would share with you a couple of happiness lists that some wonderful Seven Cherubs readers sent to me:

Jen from Hospital Healing Hampers:

1. Comedy and the ability to laugh at oneself
2. Respect for each other
3. Camping at Coles Bay (soul food and healing place)
4. Art
5. Knowledge and the wanting to learn and open ones mind
6. Protecting our planet
7. Kids and animals
8. My garden
9. Respecting yourself and staying true to your values
10. Helping others
bonus extra (shoes!)

Amy from MahliMoo:

1. Picking up my eldest son from Kindy and him being so excited to see me that he is jumping out of his skin
2. See the joy that my eldest daughter gets from creating her artwork
3. Watching my youngest son discover a new thing that day. Be it how to clap/hi five his brother or a new taste etc. Can you see a theme here!
4. A bright necklace whilst wearing a dark outfit
5. Driving by the beach everyday to and from most destinations where I live
6. Snuggling on the couch with hubby watching a movie. This rarely happens at the moment but when it does it makes me so happy
7. Silly dancing with my kids. Hubby joins in and we dance around like complete loonies. The kids have a ball and secretly so do we
8. Random cuddles and kisses from my kids for no reason at all
9. Creating something for myself or my kids and learning a new skill. This year I have taught myself how to knit and have made scarves for myself and my daughters. I am currently trying my hand at crochet. My kids love it when they watch me make them new clothes or assessories. They actually asked me to make them certain things.
10. Waking up in the morning and realising that NONE of the kids have woken up over night and that I feel rested!!!

Have you had a time in your life where you have wanted to give up??? 

What motivated you to keep going???

*linking up with Maxabella today*

Blog Makeover and Happy List

As you can see we have had a little blog makeover here at Seven Cherubs. The awesome Katrina from Media Mad has worked her magic and I love it! 

Katrina has been a delight to work with and has been so patient with me as I have changed my mind on many little details through the design process. My original idea for the design is just plain old boring compared to the inspiration that Katrina came up with. Thank YOU Katrina.

I decided to give myself a little makeover to celebrate Seven Cherubs being 1 year old. What a year it has been. I have been overwhelmed by the support, love and encouragement you have shown to me as I have written about our family and motherhood. I have loved meeting so many of you online and some of you in person. I am a better wife, mother and woman because of the new friendships I have made. 

Thank YOU so much.

This week to celebrate I will be sharing the "Seven Cherubs 1 Year Giveaways".

I have one giveaway for the 'Cherubs' and I have one giveaway for the 'Mum's'.

I so love to do a giveaway!

As you know I love to promote happiness so here is what is:

currently making me happy:

* passion fruit on my vines *

* empty lunch boxes *

* new books to read *

* a child saying sorry *

* butterflies in the garden *

* a cheeky smile from a cherub *

* clean teeth *

* skinny cow icecream *

* scented candles *

* new blog friends *

if you would love to share your happy list here on Seven Cherubs

email me at: sevencherubs (@) gmail (dot) com