6 seconds/five minutes

I feel very satisfied and settled today.  Almost to the point where I would say to myself, self, you don't need to write on the blog.  All is right with the world.  But no, I know myself better than that.  The ups and downs happen so frequently, multiple times in a day or a week.

Pause - my two year old needs some love.  I'm back, four hours later. :)

I think it's important to allow ourselves to be loved.  Children are such a great example of this.  When they are hurt, they let you know, and they ask for help.  A hug, a kiss, and it's all better.  But I don't think that changes when we get older.  Often, when I'm feeling down, I want to retreat from my husband.  I don't know what to say, there is nothing he can do to make it "all better", and so I keep to myself.  Case in point: Sunday, I was feeling rotten all day.  We talked a little bit, but I told him that I wanted to keep quiet for a while and think about how I could help myself be happier (I was thinking about starting up this blog).  He was very sweet and patient with me.  That night, as we got in bed to sleep, he asked if he could hold me for a few minutes.  I said yes, and almost instantly felt better.

In "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin,  she talks about how physical touch makes such a difference - the 6 second hug.  I've been trying to do that with my son more - let's just say, it's a work in progress - 2 1/2 year olds don't like to sit still for that long. :)  I made a goal at the beginning of the year to kiss my husband for 5 minutes a day.  It might not sound like very long, but just try it, you'll see!  It doesn't happen every day, but I think most days, we make it happen. :)  It really make such a difference.

Challenge for the day:  Go out there, love someone, and allow yourself to be loved!