The Happiness Factor
I have been a follower this past year of the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, and am now reading her just-released book and even starting a Happiness Project with a group of friends. Can you tell I am interested (obsessed?) in the concept of happiness? Just a little. I have read many parenting books on happiness and have even taken some classes concerning this concept. And, if you aren’t watching the PBS Series on happiness, This Emotional Life, you really should. I have only seen the first night so far, but it is very interesting and insightful.
How does happiness relate to Operation Shower? Well, part of the reason I started Operation Shower, was to bring joy to families that might be having a difficult time — pregnant women whose spouses were deployed. As Gretchen ( I feel like I know her well enough to call her by her first name although we have never met) talks about in her blog and in her book (and many others have discussed as well), one of the key components to happiness is social relationships and feeling connected. I felt that many women going through the struggles of raising a family, being pregnant and dealing with a spouse overseas in a war could certainly benefit from a gathering of other women like her. In addition, what doesn’t feel better than receiving an unexpected reminder that you are appreciated. (A small note from my husband this morning, made my day; I hope our Operation Shower boxes and events make their month).
In addition to providing connections and the acknowledgement, we also strive to provide, of course, needed product to these moms for their new babies and also important health information where we can. We are hoping to expand this even more this year, by really focusing on connecting the moms following the showers, and working with the March of Dimes and other organizations to provide important health and parenting information to the moms-to-be. Feeling confident that you can take care of your baby is a great source of happiness. We hope to provide some help with that.
Many persons question whether what we are doing is worthwhile, as it isn’t curing a disease or helping people in dire circumstances necessarily (although at times it is), but as I have had to learn myself, providing joy to persons (especially those making a sacrifice in their lives to serve our country) is more than worthwhile – it is fulfilling a true human need.
Finally, I realize that I am being selfish by the work I do on Operation Shower, because as Gretchen points out “the best way to make yourself happy is make other people happy.” And, it does make me happy to bring the joy of an Operation Shower event to military moms across the country. But, I think I’ll keep being selfish if that’s ok.