#findyourhappy100

On Monday, 11 of my friends + myself will start #100happydays, a 100 day photo challenge to document what makes us happy.

Apparently, 71% of people tried to complete this challenge, but failed quoting lack of time as their main reason. These people simply did not have time to be happy.

Life these days can be so fast paced, it's easy to forget to be happy.
We often focus on what makes us unhappy, or get to the end of the day and forget what made it beautiful.

People successfully completing the challenge claimed to:

• Start noticing what makes them happy every day
• Be in a better mood every day
• Realise how lucky they are to have the life they have
• Become more optimistic

Follow my photo journey on Instagram: @meandmyclan
Follow our group's journey on Instagram: #findyourhappy100

Meet the team:

Brittany
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Brittany is my fellow student and friend from my 2009 YWAM DTS and outreach team to Panama. We met up in Roma and have continued to stay in touch.

"I am so excited to be doing this. I have been crazy stressed with school so it will be nice to focus on something else for a bit. Hopefully, as a result of this, I will experience less stress?! (fingers crossed). Another fun thing is that I will have graduated by the time we are through our 100 days."


 

Kerry
New Mexico, USA

Kerry was my Jr. High leader turned friend after reconnecting after 20 or so years. I went on my very first missions trip with Kerry.

"I am doing the 100 days of happy as a way of being intentional and present.  While I might always be "happy", I am to be content in all things.  Purposely looking at the things I've been blessed with can help foster an attitude of gratefulness and contentment."

Nate
Lake Stevens, Washington

Nate is Jaylene's boyfriend and thus an extension of The Track. We stayed at his home in Lake Stevens during our Act Here. Love Now. West Coast book tour.

"I want to try and notice the small things in life that make me happy and really treasure all of those moments."

Jaylene
Vancouver, Canada

I met Jaylene on my DTS in 2009. Out of 11, she was the youngest one on the Round the World Track. For me - the eldest - she was such a joy and representation of innocence midst the many injustices that surrounded us. She was our optimist and our light.

"I chose to jump at the chance to participate in this project because it affords me the opportunity to be thankful within a community of people who are also practicing thankfulness. I tend to be a pretty naturally joyous person but I'd love to practice it outwardly even more, and do so with intention! I'm also so inspired by the stories and experiences of other people and am happy to share my own life in exchange for a chance to share in theirs."

Jannelle
PA, USA

Jannelle is one of my most creative and inspiring friends whom I met in 2012. I had the privilege of living in their home for three weeks. Check out her Rawr Shop she started with her husband and kiddos. Their vision is to inspire families and kids to make a statement. I would love to have them create a piece for Carsen's room someday!

"To create a habit of seeing the beauty in each day and to be grateful for life in the midst of all the highs, lows and everything in between."

Phillip
Cypress, CA

Phillip is one of my Community Transformation students.

"Things have not been going so well for me lately. For example my car recently was broken into. So I decided to take my mind off of some things for a while with this."

Lauren
Cape Town, South Africa

I met Lauren in our antenatal classes before Carsen and Asher were born. We connected right away and she has been a dear friend since we returned to South Africa in October. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without her here.

"I want to do this challenge because what could be more fun than to find and celebrate both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life."

Catherine
Cape Town, South Africa

I met Catherine in my antenatal class. Catherine and I need to get our babes together!

"I'm doing this challenge because a) it's going to be fun! And b) I want to be reminded over and over again of how God has blessed me in my life. " His Mercies are new every morning - great is thy faithfulness!"

Hugh
Cape Town, South Africa

Hugh is Catherine's husband. Kevin and I first met Hugh at our antenatal classes. Kevin has met him a few other times at a couple of Woo Commerce conferences.

"Every day we miss the little things that make life that much more awesome. I want to start noticing those little things - every day I want to see the things that make my life with my family special. Taking photos is easy - enjoying the little things takes practice."

Jenn
Ellensburg, WA

Jenn is a dear friend from my 2009 DTS. I've had the privilege of visiting her family during our 2011 West Coast book tour. She is an amazingly talented painter and artist. She is also the owner and proprietor of Picket & Oak, making and selling hand-crafted skincare products. I want to try her products in a major way, but being in SA makes it difficult!

"So often I feel weighed down by the very day. In those moments where I stop to notice the magical and ordinary it helps me regain focus and brings about a spirit of contentment. I want to foster more contentment and thankfulness in my everyday."

Lindsay
Cape Town, South Africa

"While I do not know about being happy all day every day for 100 days, I want to remember the good from each day.

I am taking on this #100happydays challenge to help find the happy in my day to day. It's there, in HUGE ways, and I don't want to overlook it. My hope is that by the end of my 100 days is to not only find my happy in the day to day, but to be filled with so much gratitude. Plus I get to do this with friends!"

GO FIND YOUR HAPPY!