I think a lot about what makes me happy. That means thinking back about experiences. What left me with a warm feeling? An experience I feel good about reminiscing about? I would want to do more of these kinds of activities.
Last year I made Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for sixteen people. Mostly family and my father who is going on 87, but still driving and active. I have quite a few family members who are over 75 years old and for some of them, they are slowing down a lot. One of my aunts came to Christmas dinner for the first time in many years. She didn't want to go to her daughter's (my cousin) because she didn't want to go somewhere she wasn't wanted. Another aunt was recently widowed and has no one else.
My own cooking skills surprised me. The group was so complimentary at the number of side dishes I made. They raved about the white chocolate cheesecake. I really felt like the praise was genuine. People came back for more servings. They wouldn't have done that of they didn't like it.
My father was really happy with the dinners, and also so happy to host such a large gathering.
Thinking back, I have a warm, good feeling about these holidays. I want to do it again this year and in the future.
I found that some of my trips, where I am so engrossed in my travels and so present, also make me happy.
Sometimes when sitting at home I will dwell on negative things that happened in the past. Why didn't I handle it differently and generally overthinking. What is the point of that? I need to focus on what has made me happy and repeat.
4 comments:
I think that when you make a meal with lots of effort and love put forth, and then everyone enjoys the food and the company it is a great success and a genuinely good memory.
Sounds like you put on quite the feast and for so many people. Food does make a lot of people happy (even if it's temporary). We all dwell on the past from time to time, I think that is just part of being human. Shame that we spend so much time on bad memories instead of the good ones! The good ones are the ones we should think about more often. I know it's the dead of Summer but the holidays will be upon us again before we know it. Take care!
Food does have a way of bringing people together.
Yes, a good way to bring people together and create some happy memories.
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