Happy Anyways

There was a man that came in and talked to me at work the other day.  ** You have to understand that where I work, I am surrounded by farmers.

He was telling me about his loan and what it was for. Then I started just chatting to him because, he just seemed very friendly so I figured.. why not!?

Turns out he knows a family that I went to high school with and got started on how they are the most humble people that he knows. I loved hearing him rave about this family. Where I grew up with them I knew how they were, and how absolutely kind they are.

He went on to tell me about their grandpa, who he was friends with. How he raised his kids to be humble and kind. That they could be happy living with nothing; and that is just how his kids raised their kids. I grew up with the grandchildren so I knew that they didn't come from very much money, but they were always very kind and happy. They were smiling and participated in many activities at school. No they didn't wear American Eagle jeans every day or a Hollister Jacket in the winter, but they made due with what they had, and were soooo happy to be doing what they are doing.

I starting thinking about my life and how happy I was with what I have. I have gotten to the point where I was raised with not so much. I was raised that when I got a job that I had to start paying for things myself. I am grateful for my parents who raised me to be the way that I am.

I was very happy to tell this gentleman that I was happy with what I had in my life. He shook my hand smiled, called me and Indian Princess, and left.


I am very happy that there are people like him in this world. Good hearted, hard working people who know what it's like to not have very much, but to still be soooo happy anyways.

Guest Post >>>>>> JaNae from Discovering JaNae

Hello hello everyone! We have had some really amazing people guest posting here at Hansen Love lately. Today we have yet another amazing lady. She has become one of my good friends! Her husband and Jake served their mission together, which is actually how JaNae and I linked up. She is here today to talk a little about married life and the little things she is grateful for. Here she is..

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Hi everyone! I am JaNae and I blog over at discovering janae. I blog about mine and Jared's life, DIY projects, things that motivate me (every Monday!), good food, and the things that I discover about myself.

I have been married to my husband for almost two years. It has been such an amazing experience and I am so glad that I am able to be with my best friend forever.

Being married has taught me a lot not only about what is most important in my life, but it has also taught me how to see the bright side of things and to learn to love and accept myself. Learning how to stay positive has made such a huge impact not only on my marriage but every aspect of my life.

Right now I am taking a Positive Psychology class which at first I am not going to lie I thought was going to be a joke. Let me first say that I of course do not believe everything that is being taught because after all I have taken a lot of great classes but I cannot always agree with every word. Anyway, needless to say this class has turned out to be much more beneficial than I had expected.

For one of my assignments we had to start a 'gratitude journal' and write three things in it every night that we were grateful for about that day. Not only did we have to come up with the three things, but we had to actually write why we are grateful for it. This was the trickiest part for me because sometimes it can be really hard to come up with why you are grateful. Sometimes you just feel grateful, you know?

We only had to do the assignment for a week but after that week I found that I really wanted to keep going with it and I have. And what a difference it has made! Not only has it made a huge difference in the way that I try to find the positives but I can actually start of my day with an intent to find the positives. By doing this it has made me feel like I have more purpose in my life. I feel better about myself as a person. I have found that it has even impacted the way that I see my own body image. I feel more confident and I feel that I am better able to receive and accept the love that my husband so desperately wants to give me.

Here are just a few of the things that I am grateful for today:

1. My body. This is one that I have struggled with for a long time. I still have bad days, but overall I think that I feel much more happiness and satisfaction towards my body. Not only do I accept that I look good, but I feel good too! My body is so strong and it really helps me get through the long days at school. I feel so incredibly blessed that I have a body that can run and jump and play.
2. My husband. He's not just my husband but he is my best friend and I would argue my better half. He makes me want to be a better person. He always sees the good in me and he works so very hard for our little family. He listens to me, comforts me, talks to me, leaves surprise notes for me, and is always looking for ways to serve. I would be lost without him. 
3. My friends. I am so grateful for my friends, both in the blogger world and my close friends. I love to write letters and I have a few people that I write to and it has made such a huge difference in my life. I love getting comments and emails from my readers and getting to know them better and their talents and strengths. I love having friends over for dinner or just time to talk and catch up or even a quick phone call. I once read that one thing that you can do to improve your happiness and well-being is to make a phone call or visit once a week to someone you care about. I think this is true. 

What things are you grateful for? What helps you be more positive and find peace in your life? 

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Seriously, aren't they just adorable!!?And they are both just hilarious!! Thanks JaNae for this. It sounds like something really easy to do, think of three things you're grateful for each day. I think you would start to find things that you never really thought you were grateful for. Thanks again JaNae!! :) You're wonderful!!!

Starting grateful

ITS SATURDAY. AND I'M NOT WORKING!


so I'm writing a short little post.

I guest posted on Carmina's blog.. missed it? go here. and follow her, because she's adorable :)

Our dinner was so fun last night! I love meeting my bloggy friends in person.

We're going to the hunting expo today... I'm super excited about it..... haha.

Hope you all have a super amazing day! I know I will be :)

After my complaining yesterday... I'm going to be grateful today!

Today will be a good day.

Man, Be Grateful

Have you heard this song? Be Grateful- by The Farm Inc.

This song came on the other day while I was heading home from work.

This whole song makes you feel so grateful for everything you have.

I started thinking back to things that I probably have been taking for granted.

I need to remember to Thank my Heavenly Father for all of my blessings. Even the little ones.

There was something that one of my seminary teachers told me in high school, "Nothing is small or 

stupid to Him. If it's important to you, its important to Him."

That always hits me when I am crying over something so small and stupid.

When we were first married, I prayed everyday that I would make some friends up here so I wouldn't 

be alone. I would come home crying hysterically to Jake, saying that it was so stupid, but I just missed

my friends. 

It was never stupid, and now I have some amazing friends up here. I love the people I work with, and I

have made friends with some of my fellow bloggers.

There is always something to be grateful for.