Note that my earrings are heart-shaped, showing my self-love.  I am also excited because I just bought me a ticket to see my favorite musical, Pippin, at the FOX Theatre in downtown Atlanta.  Since I do love myself, I love to be alone with myself and will be attending the show alone.  Some people think that being alone is always lonely, but that is far from true - often times, the best times I have are by myself and the times when I feel the most lonely are when I am surrounded by other people.  It's all a matter of how I feel in the moment - if I am comfortable in my own skin, then I feel pretty happy, even if by myself, but if I feel out of place and awkward in a crowd, then I just want to hide.

Day two asks me what is my key to happiness and the biggest thing that has made a difference in my life is noticing every little thing that brings me pleasure throughout the day.  I have even started using an app called Happier, where I post pictures of what makes me happy as they happen.  It helps keep me aware, grateful and grounded.  Even if I am experiencing a rotten day, I know at some point in the day, there will be something that I will be able to receive with pleasure.  Today, I took many beautiful pictures in my neighborhood, as evidence that Spring is here!  Whoo-Hoo!

Aren't they gorgeous?  I hope they make you happy just looking at them. Maybe if there is still snow where you are, then you can imagine yourself down here in Georgia where the grass is green and the sun is bright.  The sun and Spring weather affect my mood so much, I am feeling much better these days.  Today I stopped and admired the flowers and I am so glad I did!  When I am depressed, nothing gives me pleasure, so I have learned to take my pleasure when I can and like one of my favorite poets, Gerard Manley Hopkins, almost nothing gives me greater pleasure than Spring.

Spring