Month 5: Positive Thoughts

For the month of February for my Happiness Project, I worked on having positive thoughts about other people--no judging, giving the benefit of the doubt, and in general just being more loving.  I was surprised how many times I had to dismiss a judgmental thought from my mind.  This is sad, but it took a conscious effort each day to choose to think positively toward other people and/or situations instead of assuming the worst.  I didn't become perfect by the end of the month, but I made huge strides :o).  The reward of my efforts was I felt happier choosing to have loving thoughts about a person rather than thinking negatively.  Dismissing uncharitable thoughts from my mind will hopefully be a habit that sticks. 

Also this month, I completed indexing 200 names, almost finished turning another year of my blog into a book (just finishing up some editing), I finished the church novel I started in January about having more holiness in my life, and I ran my 5th half marathon!

The visiting teaching message in February inspired my goal for March and my February goal leads into this one nicely.  I want to work on being more friendly.  I didn't realize just how shy I am probably until I married Matt.  He is on the opposite scale of the spectrum than me when it comes to being friendly.  He and I will have discussions all the time where he'll say something to the effect of, "Going up to that person and talking to them is hard for you?  Why?" [said in an incredulous voice].  I've learned a lot from him: he always initiates a conversation with a cashier when checking out of a store; when talking to a cashier or a service person on the phone, he always calls them by their name; he goes out of his way to greet people or say goodbye to them; he is so genuine when he talks to someone and truly listens; and his goal is to brighten everyone's day whom he comes in contact with.  I know I won't be able to cone near his level in just one month, but I'm going to improve from where I'm at and make more of an effort to go out of my way to be friendly.  It's going to be scary for me and will require me to check my inhibitions at the door.