Words of wisdom

So we were at Dave's parents house and I was upstairs feeding Levi. Their t.v. in the kitchen was on and I was listening to a random show. The people on the t.v. were asking if money could buy happiness? I've always thought no, but it can make things a heck of a lot easier. The people on the show (no clue who was speaking or what channel it was) said that as long as you have food, clothing, and a home to live in, money does NOT equal happiness.

I used to hear people say "Money doesn't buy happiness," and thought well how do people ever survive if they don't have any money to purchase things as basic as food? If those things are given, I totally see how this is true.

The mysterious person speaking said that three things cause happiness in humans.

1.) Having meaningful relationships with others
2.) Having hobbies we are passionate about
3.) Doing things for others

Every single day I have thought about these three things and what I can do to incorporate them into my life more.

I think sending texts is great, but I need to get out and visit my friends more often. Even if I'm tired and a certain little somebody wanted to wake up every two hours so much for sleep training! It's only the second night... Dinners, games, walks at the park! Let's meet up!

I love love love to read, I think that is a given. I've really taken a interest in cooking recently. All those days of healing in bed, post-baby, watching the Cooking Channel or Food Network totally sparked something inside me. Pioneer Woman's chicken spaghetti was super good (even better the second day). I would really like to run a marathon this year. I may post pone this goal to 2014 because I think the training is so intense, and a little baby takes up a heck of a lot of time as it is! We're going for nightly walks though and that's a start.

This third piece is where I am sorely lacking. I don't volunteer whatsoever. After I heard this (tt was like Christmas Eve eve) I asked my mom if it was too late to "adopt" a family at church to provide some Christmas presents for families in need.  Of course it was too late, next year I am jumping on board as soon as the list is available. When I was growing up, our church helped us out during Christmas for a few years because our family was one of those "in need". It would be so nice to help others going through something similar. Sort of like the opposite of a vicious cycle, a kindness cycle? A family helped us out when we were in need so we help out a family in need. Yea! Being able to open presents at Christmas means so much to little kiddos!