A Happy Heart: It's Up to Me!

Anyone who has ever had a toddler, KNOWS this face.

Accompanying this face was the phrase, "I can do it!"

Needless to say I was cleaning her ears out, so I had to decline.

But, this is a phrase I am hearing VERY often.

She wants to make her choices. She wants to try things. She is wanting to grab life and make it what she needs it to be. I love that my little Lucy is becoming independent. It's sad knowing she's my last one, so I find myself savoring the little things that I can still do for her. 

I was talking to my sweet friend Kay the other day and she told me a quote that they say often in their family.

I LOVE IT.

It reminded me of my little independent Lucy, and I have had many thoughts.

If I am to be happy.....it's up to me.

If I am to accomplish good things in life.....it's up to me.

If I am to be a good person.....it's up to me.

If I am going to be content with life.....it's up to me.

My list could go on and on.

I love my life, but one of the things I love most about my life is that it's MINE. It really can be anything I want it to be. In spite of any challenge or hiccup, I can mold it and shape it however I like. It doesn't mean that is easy. But, the older I get, the more I learn that I have more control over things than I once realized. Even on days that are hard, I can still decide to find joy and to be grateful. Even if it's in small doses.

I am also learning that you can't blame others for your own unhappiness. I can't control anyone but me. My kids remind me of this awesome truth all the time. They are such great examples to me. They have all been through some hard things. They have each one had to make decisions at different times to find their own happiness in spite of challenges. They each have grabbed hold of their lives and they know that it is up to them to make it what they want. And they are off and running to create great lives for themselves. I'm so proud of them.

So, today, when I think about my life, my heart is happy.

So far it's a great life. 

And the rest will be so also.....

because it's completely up to me.

Just like Lucy says, 

"I can do it!"