5 Things for a Happy Rachel

I can accomplish a lot in a day but when bedtime rolls around, there are five ingredients my day will include so that I go to sleep happy and content.

Truth: I have to spend some time in scripture study, prayer and meditation. I find that even a small amount of time trying to see the "big picture", makes my day more productive and hones my focus. I am thankful for the time and the opportunity for this in my life.

Beauty: Doing something creative. It can be something as simple as trying something new with the girls' hair or framing and hanging a new picture. It can also be as involved as giving a party or taking a class and learning a new skill ~right now I'm knitting socks.~ Using my brain in a creative way is such a pleasure and it makes my heart happy.

Family: Spending time with Paul and each of my children. Again this can be something as simple as a hug or a text or something that takes more time; a family outing or a date. Everything just feels right when I am snuggled in bed with the ones I love reading a book or just talking and laughing.

Vegetables: It must be some kind of mothering instinct but I am always feel great when I have fed my family good food that includes a lot of vegetables. Even if I had to hide them in the smoothie or spaghetti sauce. (Gloria is pretty sure anything green is poisonous.) I find it so gratifying to know that I am supplying our bodies with what they need to be strong and healthy.

Work: I need to do something physically hard everyday. Exercise, gardening, yard work, hiking. I feel so great when I have made my body work hard. It all feels even better if I have been outdoors. For me there is a real connection between physical work and spiritual peace. It is hard to beat the feeling of showering and relaxing after working hard in the heat of the day.

My favorite days are when I get to check off everything on this list. It doesn't always happen but it what I am always striving for.