In the spring of 2010 I became Reasonably Happy.  Those two words opened up my life to a new standard of greatness that released me from a personal quest I thought I was supposed to be seeking.  It happened during an 8 week journey with a new ministry at St. Luke’s called MOMS (Ministry of Mothers Sharing).  Somehow my name was thrown in the mix to be a part of the inaugural session.  When I was asked to attend my instinct was to decline but my heart said yes which spilled out verbally before I could sort the workable excuses through my brain.  Leading up to the start, I played the pros and cons over and over.

I don’t need one more thing to do right now VS. what would it hurt to go?

How in the world did my name land on this list VS. it is a great honor to be associated with this impressive group of women

I really don’t want to do this VS. this might be a very good way to grow in my faith

There were several other conflicts rising up daily though I wanted to be true to my character and integrity so I arrived at the first gathering.  They gave me a workbook that would take us through the 8 sessions.  There was a table full of delicious snacks which we would rotate bringing each session; a good recipe is a key component to establishing strong connections. Instantly it became a sacred group of women that opened their hearts with full trust of each other.  This moment in time would prepare me for the future storms that were headed my way. It equipped me with a deeper faith and friendships that when tested would not fail, they would become my army!  In the meantime, my identifying moment came during the fourth week, a chapter on feelings.  Page 52 had a reflection prayer.  It was the Serenity Prayer which I knew, though mostly associated it with Alcoholics Anonymous.  At each of our places was a book mark with the prayer in the entirety.

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

(here is the big part, watch for the bold print – the part that set me free is in the second paragraph)

Living one day at a time;

enjoying one moment at a time;

accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

If I surrender to His Will.

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

And supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen

All together the second paragraph is life changing, I read it over and over for days paying special attention to “reasonably happy in this life”!  EUREKA – all this time I had been chasing the idea of “supremely happy” on this earth when I am only expected to be “reasonably happy”.  That was fantastic news!!  I could relax, I could be content and I didn’t even know it until my fourth week of MOMS Ministry.  It took me 41 years to get to this day and it felt great.  Who can’t find reasonable happiness in their life?!  It is the constant effort and race to over shoot and impress everyone that makes us miserable.

There are many many supremely happy moments that will happen on this journey but I no longer have to look for them, feeling overwhelmed when I fall short.   Being reasonably happy guarantees me a priceless calm that is achievable – I am reasonably happy today and it is perfect!  That statement does not apply to every single day on the calendar, this is not a precise science.  Of course, there are days or moments within a day, that I am way less than happy by any measure, however, I work to keep those at a minimum.  I much prefer happiness and strive for it – I am confident that happy looks really good on me!