Tag: Happiness

Go Organic or Grow it Myself

One of my goals for this month is: What goes in is what comes out: Go organic and/or grow it yourself.

In the midst of the great move and unpacking project, I really have been trying to keep up with my happiness project. Sadly, extracurricular activities have made going to my Buddhist temple impossible. However, my Sunday obligations are fewer now, so I’m going to take this opportunity to get back into the swing of things.

So, as I just mentioned, organic or self grown (and still organic and vegan) is where my heart is leading me. Now, I’m not much of a gardener. I’ve never really had the time (as if I do now), nor the space. However, I’ve made the commitment to creating both time and space for gardening. I think that not only will this fulfill current goals, but it’ll also give me new avenues for past goals (such as finding a meditative practice that works for me).

Anyway, thanks to some ideas from my dad who was recently visiting and some help from my beloved, we have a garden. It’s small, but packed with seeds of deliciousness. Hopefully some food will come out of it. Fingers crossed.

1

Happiness Hits Home

The postings about my happiness project and most of my school work have recently been derailed. While incredibly stressful and decidedly an unhappy process, buying a home will increase the happiness quotient infinitely, once we get unpacked and fully settled in. Not only have we just moved into our new home a couple weeks ago, but my dad has been visiting from the frosty North this week too. Talk about stuff going on!

Anyway, I’ve been thinking about posts and things that I want to talk about (that hopefully people want to read about), nevertheless. I’m working on some interviews for this and another blog as well as the weather finally getting more predictable (HOT and sunny!) so scooting will commence quite soon too. I’m really excited about the home buying adventure and how that very difficult and trying period of life has now given way to the joys of feeling more secure and rooted not only in life, but even just in my city. As much as a sometimes hate it here for political, social and various other reasons, I do love it here. I feel just that much more invested in making this city better and participating in it. Hell, I’ve even met the neighbors on both sides of me! We’ve been here 2 weeks! There have been houses that I’ve lived in for years and never met ANYONE! So this is a good start. Meeting and knowing those around us helps us feel connected to one another, invested in the safety and happiness of others. I like that feeling. Before, I’d tel the neighbor if a stranger was at their place, but now… that’s Joe’s house. We’ve got to look out for one another. Or when the pups are at the fence freaking out entirely, I know that’s Kicker (the pretty pit bull next door) saying hi. I already feel like part of this street and part of this community. I get to smile and wave at the people on the block when I go out to get the mail. I’ve never really had that. Yes, I’ve previously owned a house and I loved that house, but I knew one neighbor. He was a long haul trucker and his wife didn’t speak a word of English, plus I never saw her outside. This is already the experience that I should have had before. 

As I mentioned before my dad has been visiting. He needed a place to stay that wasn’t a hotel while he was here, and we’ve got the room. We aren’t quite unpacked yet, but it’s been really great having my family share this exciting adventure. I get to share a cup of coffee with him (like I’m doing now) in the mornings and chat before I start my whirlwind day and then when we get home, we do things or just hang out. We even made stuff since he’s been here!

So, yes, the “formal” happiness project has hit a slight snag, the real happiness has only just begun. We’re so excited for this adventure. :)

0

You are better off…

“You are better off without some people. – When you have to start compromising yourself and your morals for the people around you, it’s probably time to change the people around you. If someone continuously mistreats you or pushes you in the wrong direction, have enough respect for yourself to walk away from them. It may hurt for a little while, but it’ll be ok. You’ll be ok, and far better off in the long run.”

The above is from THIS BLOG and I found it really appropriate for one of my goals this month, ending toxic relationships for good. There are several other tips to creating good, lasting relationships with others. These tips can apply to not only romantic ones, but also the platonics in our lives. I just thought I’d share.

Happy weekend!

(Picture from: http://www.community4me.com/building_relationships.html)

 

0

10 Happy Recommendations

I found THIS BLOG and found it really great.

I personally identify with the first one mentioned, be the best YOU an be. I’m constantly feeling like I’m playing catch-up in a race that I’m not sure I’m running. By not comparing myself to others, I can go at my own pace. I like that option.

What about you? Add your comments and let me know what you think!

Thanks for reading. :)

(Picture from: http://themescompany.com/2012/02/05/30-sun-shine-photography/)

 

0

The universe and the monkey wrench

I would be lying if I were to say that this week hasn’t been a trying one. It’s been a very difficult few weeks really, but this week has been more nonsense than I have been able to handle, for the most part. When it rains it pours, or so I’m told. However, through it all I’ve had a great support system between my love and my family/ friends. I could not be more thankful to have such amazing people gracing my life on a daily basis.

I often feel that the universe is against me. It’s human to feel as though forces are constantly pressing down on you, right? I mean, I hear of it all the time… But that got me thinking. From the moment of conception, we are surrounded by forces beyond our control, understanding and limitations. We generally adapt to gravity, the environment and other “invisible” forces working with and against us. I think the visible things are the most difficult to adapt to in this life, which is strange to me on a logical level. Other people, traffic, bills and everything in between, that we face regularly are tangible and yet we have such a difficult time dealing with them.

Even with everything seemingly falling apart, being positive throughout the trials and having the support of those around you, is really the only way to not fall into total panic sometimes. I struggle with this aspect of adulthood. When the forces get too strong or continually multiply, it’s difficult to see that the monkey wrench in the spokes of my proverbial bicycle is not going to ruin me. When the universe sends me flying into the dirt, there’s no choice but to dust myself off and keep on peddling. So in the spirit of happiness and positivity, it is not the end of the world when things go badly. It’s an opportunity to grow and figure it out with those in my life. If I’ve learned nothing else, it’s that. Value those around you. Infinitely.

(Picture from: http://bayareablogethunderground.blogspot.com/2010/09/girl-who-fell-off-bikes.html)

 

0

Website Powered by WordPress.com.

Up ↑