The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. -Allan K. Chalmers

I found a lot of quotes this morning that I felt would be great for this entry. I tried and tried to narrow it down to one, but just couldn't. Here are the other two that tied for first:

Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more. -Brother David Steindl-Rast

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. -Mohandas K. Gandhi

I probably read over 100 quotes, but these 3 in particlar stopped me in my tracks and got me thinking even more positively about my life these days. They impacted me the most and made sense of things the most, and I could talk about them alone as my entry for today, but I'll leave them open for interpretation.

This morning, I just wanted to take the time to thank my family, friends and Ryan especially for such a great summer!

The list of activities I've compliled over the past couple months is pretty dang long. Not just long, but full of amazing occasions and moments that are pretty unforgetable to me.

I didn't land my first job as a flash developer like I planned, but I did complete a full design project for Wah-Tah!, a great new company with a timeless and powerful purpose.
I tackled my second sprint triathlon and got another great time despite my gimp leg!
For the 4th of July, I went with Ryan and his family up to Washington to see him and his brother do a half-ironman. That was just incredible. The entire trip...
"Forfeit, Please?" won our division!!! WOO-HOO!!!
I turned 23. And it was the best birthday I've ever had. An early present from Liz to see the Rodeo with her, Ryan and Krystal was a great way to start it all. Then came the best date night ever with my boy- dinner at Garlic Joe's, a walk on the beach afterwards and just being treated like a queen everyday by Ryan. :) On the day of my birthday I was treated to a facial from the Weegers and had a great dinner with my loving family.
Ryan and I saw DAVE MATTHEWS BAND!!!! They were #1 on my list of people to see live (living or dead) and after we saw them, I can easily say that they put on the best show I will ever see. Thanks boy!!
The somewhat-Annual Hudson Family Talent Show was somehow pulled off in August with some pretty classic skits.
Ryan took me to my second Chargers game!

I realize I'm pointing out all of the main events and leaving out tons of details like what I thought about them all, but for the sake of this being my online blog, I'll just say this: I know that just by being a Hudson, and just by being Ryan's girl, I AM the luckiest and most blessed girl on the planet. I get to do things with people I love every single day, all the time. What's more important to me than just doing those things is what all they mean to me. How I feel about being a part of them all just lets me know constantly that I am loved. I couldn't ask for anything else in my life!

Going back to those quotes, I always have something to do (whether I like what I have to do or not, I'm glad I am able to do it), lots of people and things to love, and always something to hope for (a great rest of my life!).
I'm eternally grateful for who I know and love, for what I've been given, for what I have and for what I've learned.
And I am happy. see- :) Really though, All I have to do is think about that third quote for a split second and I can apply it to so many different aspects of my life. It makes so much more sense each time I do. I think about Ryan all the time and about how much I love him, we both say "I love you" all throughout the day, and I know that everything we do together is with love for eachother. It works for the simpler things in life, too: I think about weird/funny things all day, and maybe a little too often, like stupid puns or laffy taffy jokes or deep thoughts by Jack Handey or movie quotes... or whatever! And we all know I love telling a good joke to people whenever I get the chance (and remember to!). Then, the "what you do" part of that quote naturally happens as I live my life seeing the humor in things. I live a better life because of it- because doing these things make me happier than I already am.

I think those two examples are probably the purest forms of happiness since they are afterall about love and humor, but the point is that quote is extremely true, in my opinion. So are the others.

Thank you for being a part of the best summer I've ever had!

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