Each of us is the maker of our own happiness

Každý je sám svojho šťastia kováč, a phrase my Grandma Thomas used to say.

I come from a line of strong Slovak women. I adored my grandmother, (who would have been 102 on June 30) and this saying was something she used to say. It can be translated a number of ways, which is the fun part of translation. The Restlessness post prompted a conversation with one of my cousin’s who reminded me about it. Her mom translated it as “Make your own wedding,”  my other aunt’s translates it as “Make  your own Happiness.” My mom just goes out and always has a good time, and lives it daily.

This is the biggest reminder of beginning this project. I must decide every day to be make my own happiness, to make my own good time, to laugh (especially at myself) and to know that in striving to be happy, helps others be happy too.

Gretchen Rubin became a huge fan of Thérèse of Lisieux during her Happiness Project, and I am grateful for this reminder. Thérèse devoted herself to being happy, a task that  can be extremely difficult on some days and around some people, yet she did it every day.

“Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love.”

Thérèse focused on the little deeds, by working to be happy, even when she wasn’t. I have always wanted to read her autobiography, Story of a Soul, and after this week of talking about my restlessness and wanting to make changes to move towards greater happiness within, maybe it’s time.