I’ve learned since becoming a Mom that the things that make me happy most often are not related at all to my goals, or money or acquiring “stuff” like they used to.

I went out to do errands while my Mom stayed at my house with my son, who was 11 months old at the time. I was gone only a couple of hours, but when I walked in the front door and my son realized it was me, this smile just grew across his face until it was the happiest I think I had ever seen him. That moment made me the happiest I had been in a long time, and whenever I think of the way he looked at that one moment, I can’t help but be happy again.

My son’s laugh, my husband’s voice (he’s having medical issues that affect his voice right now) and my son’s smile….if I have those three things, I can handle most anything else that comes my way. Those things make me *truly* happy, versus the false (and fleeting) happiness that I used to think came from achievement.