5 Reasons I'm Smiling This Sunday

5 Reasons I’m Smiling This Sunday

1.) First Sunday of Advent-

Today marked the first Sunday of the advent season, which means the first lighting of a candle at church. Lighting the candles during this time of year is something I look forward to immensely, I think it’s because I know how great of an event it’s leading up to. The advent season is undoubtedly my favorite one. I love this time of winter, and all of the things that come with it. The first candle being lit marks my countdown to Christmas. I’m one of those people that could listen to Christmas music year round, and this is the time of year that I can listen without being judged, and you can believe I’ll get my fill to last me the rest of the year. : )

2.) After Mass Breakfast-

One of my favorite unnamed traditions my family does is to have a nice breakfast after mass every Sunday where we sit down with each other around the table. We seem to be there for at least an hour or more every time but only eat for maybe fifteen minutes of it, the rest of the time gets occupied by stories and laughter. Which is one of the favorite things about my family, there’s never been a time that I’m sitting at the table with them and don’t double over laughing at a story my dad told, (or a comment my mom makes about the story.) I also love the preparation of the breakfast, everyone crams themselves in the kitchen trying to help out here and there, and it just makes me feel close to them and warms my heart.

3.) The Wood Burning Stove-

This wasn’t only the first week the advent wreath was lit, our stove also got to have some flames of it’s own. I know it’s officially winter when my dad brings all the firewood in to be burned. There’s nothing that reminds me of winter more than the constant fire we’ll have lit at our house. Every other room in the house feels like an icebox once the fire is going, and you can tell because everyone spends most of their day in front of the glass door that keeps the fire in, and they don’t leave until absolutely necessary. I’m actually sitting right by it now while writing this, and every time I find myself upstairs I also find someone standing right in front of the stove. Just a small thing, but it’ll keep me smiling through this cold and icy weather. : )

4.) Family Home For the Holidays-

This Sunday draws the Thanksgiving holiday to an end with everyone heading home. This Thanksgiving was such a great one though that I won’t be forgetting for the rest of my life. We held the family meal at my house this year, and there’s something about having the whole family all sitting in the same room that puts a smile on my face that can’t leave. We also had eight pies make it to the dessert counter, and if that doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what would. 

My Great-Grandma also got to stay overnight at our house the night before the Thanksgiving meal for the first time ever, which made me happier than I could explain. I’ve never heard her speak one bad word about another person in my life, she’s one of the people that I look up to most in my life, and I find myself at my happiest while in her presence. My brother and sister were also home as well as my grandma, which calls for a full house. Having my whole family home is one of the best feelings since it doesn’t happen all too often anymore since they’re gone at college. I’ve learned to savor it, and how lucky I am to have them here when they are.

5.) 5 Hour Naps-

Although my favorite family tradition on Sunday’s is the breakfast, my favorite individual tradition is the nap I take after religiously every Sunday. My ability to be lazy hits it's peak every Sunday, and my level of tiredness does also. It’s funny because it’s become such a common thing for me to be M.I.A. throughout a Sunday afternoon that my mom and dad are stunned to see me upstairs before 4 p.m. The question of what in the world I’ve been doing in my room for so long has also seemed to disappear.

Everyday there are things to find joy over, whether it occurs commonly, or at random. Things as small as making jokes about how crazy we all are for driving to church this morning with the icy roads, or unexpectedly spending over three hours watching movies with your brother before he goes back to school. Happiness can be found in almost every situation that happens to you throughout the day, you just have to be willing to see it, or even make it for yourself. I hope everyone reading this had a happy Sunday, and will find the happiness in their Monday tomorrow. : )

”Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” - Philippians 4:11

“I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live.” - Ecclesiastes 3:12

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is it’s own trouble.” - Matthew 6:34