I was all set to post today about Valentine’s crafts you can do with your kids (or with your hubby, friends, or puppy 
. My kids absolutely LOVE to make crafts and there are a lot of really fun and simple things you can do. I think later today we will pull out the glue and scissors and paints and lovey up our house.
However, as I was pulling together some links for you I came across an article from Yes! Magazine that I thought was very interesting. It is called 10 THINGS SCIENCE SAYS WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY. I was intrigued as I read through the list, often nodding my head in agreement as I looked at my own life and times when I really, truly “felt” happy. Now I won’t get into the differences of “joy” versus “happiness” here. Suffice it to say that the happiness we are referring to here is the feeling of being happy.
You should definitely check out the whole article and read through the ten items. It was good to be reminded that things like exercise and not focusing on money can seriously enhance our happiness. However, what I want to look closer at today is the number one thing listed:
As scrapbookers (I know, I know, ssshhh…this isn’t supposed to be about digi…it isn’t, really, it is about happiness!) we must be some of the happiest people around! I mean, isn’t this what scrapbooking is really all about?? Savoring the everyday moments, moments that are “normally hurried through.” When we scrapbook, when we take photos, when we stop to think about how those photos make us feel, we are SAVORING the everyday and in the process, becoming happier people.
I know that in the last four years my level of “happiness” has gone way, way up. I know there are other things involved in this — personal changes I have made, watching my family grow from two kids to four kids, learning more about who I am and what I do best — but I also KNOW that scrapbooking has a lot to do with this. As I look through my albums, as I view photos of my family and friends, I can’t help but stop and realize how truly blessed I am. When I look through the 17 photos I have taken so far for my photo a day project, I smile thinking of those 17 “everyday” or otherwise “would have missed” moments forever recorded. And yes, I feel happy.
I encourage you to take some time today to read through the other nine items and look at your own life and how those things fit in. You can download a full size 11×17 pdf file of the poster. I think I may cut out a few of the ones I need to be reminded of most often (like exercising!) and frame them and put them in a place I can always see them. Think about what you can do TODAY to bring a little happiness into your life.
And if you have time left over and still want to do some Valentine’s crafts, here are some great ideas:
Heart and Lillipop flowers from Martha Stewart
Or try these:
and MORE
Hope that everyone has a very HAPPY Sunday!
Love THE DAILY DIGI! Thank you for the inspriation!
This is my first time at having a go at p365 and Im finding myself waking up in the morning thinking about what pic Ill be able to get for the day…simply, that all in itself somehow makes me smile
and Thanx for the very cute Valentine’s projects!!!
The past year (2008) I did the 365 challenge, and I am amazed at the happiness and joy I feel when I look back at the photos from the past year. My ordinary life seems full of….life. It was well worth the effort!
I am so LOVIN’ your site! Thank you!
Thanks for the links for the Valentines crafts! My five year old loves to “make crafts” and these will keep us busy for a while!
Thanks so much for the daily inspiration–I love the savoring of the moments especially
Thanks for the inspirational article and fun project ideas.
Thanks for all you are doing for us. I love your new site!
Great article and love those projects – thank you!
I love the article, it’s such a great reminder of what makes ME happy! People often ask me why I put in so much effort to process my photos and blog about my daily life. I always tell them because when I go back to read it, it makes me SO happy and THANKFUL. I do it for ME, not anyone else. I’ve also read a book called “Stumbling on Happiness” by a Harvard researcher named Daniel Gilbert. Very good read. My dad is a pastor and a writer, so he likes to research these types of topics too, and I benefit from our discussions.
thanks, thanks, thanks for posting the happiness article. i’m generally a cheerful optimistic person, but after going over the budget last night, I was a total grump. it’s nice to have reminders of the important simple things we can do to perk our spirits – like exercise and smiling. yay! i just found your new site and i love it!
Stop a moment to watch children play. This really speaks to me because I always get wrapped up in “doing work” on the computer. When my kids want me to play with them or do something together, my usual response is, “Okay, just let me finish this up.” Before I know it, the day is gone. Thanks for the reminder. I know I really need to spend more quality time with my kids to keep them happy, which in turn will make me happy.
Thanks for all the craft links too. I’m always looking for craft projects that my kids can do. I already bookmarked a couple of the sites
Great ideas! I’m lovin’ them! Thanks for sharing!
Ahhhhhh! Love all these ideas!! I’m thinking we’ll start wtih the lollipops and see how it goes with my four year old!
Great un digi day- I am going to use the ideas to make valentines goodie boxes for my 19 & 23 yo sons! I am loving your site
I’ll be the first to admit I have a hard time remembering to come back each day, but at least I can catch up when I do remember! So far I think you’ve done an awesome thing here. The collection of odds’n'ends revolving around scrapping definitely appeals to me. In just this post I’ve found a project to make goodies with my 6-yr-old for her class for Valentine’s and a poster to help me remember the small things – not to mention those free templates in the post for Shabby Miss Jenn!
Thanks, Janet!!