Independently Me

day 15: happiness

This is a Kouing-aman. It's is happiness.

That's all I have to say.

split lip

I split my lip last week.  After a big laugh this morning it was bleeding.  If I could just quit smiling it would heal faster.

I'm sure there is someone out there that would take at look at what I have going on in my life, sort through my baggage, and inject all kinds of negative into it.  Whoever you are, stay away.  I have plenty to smile about. 

You see, I consider myself a realist.  I take the bad days with the good, you can't have one without the other.  For every bad day I experience, there are two good days to follow.  I understand and accept my limitations, and the limitations of others.  I can't expect or demand more than they can give.  I accept that.  Of course, I expect and demand more of myself, but that's another issue.

For example, when I meet someone, will they become my very best friend or my soul mate?  Most likely no.  But they might be a nice person to know, or even just talk to for a few minutes.  I'm good with that.  

Stress is part of the game.  There is nothing I can do to eliminate stress completely from my life.  But I do what I need to do to release it and let it all go.  Coping is something I do pretty well.  Sure there's an initial freak out, (I'd like to meet the person who never freaks out) but after the 30 seconds it takes to get my feet back under me, I'm off running again.  It's just the way of life.

But I also know there are two ways to look at these situations that are out of my control.  I can stomp around and be upset that it's raining today and that the sun isn't shining and that my toes are still cold.  Or I can dress appropriately and enjoy how the pink flowers pop against the gray sky and feel the cold air in my lungs and look forward to my cheeks tingling when I come back into my warm apartment.  

I learned a long time ago that my perspective on the situation has the power to almost change the situation itself.  I can sit at my desk and think "I'm so tired.  I can't believe I stayed up that late" and wish I could take the rest of the day off to go home and crawl under the covers and nap away a miserable rainy chilly day.  Or I can say "I'm tired but that conversation was so worth staying up late for" and keep trucking through the work day.

Every morning at work I chirp a highly cheerful "good morning!" with a huge grin and sparkly eyes. (I'm a morning person, I can't help it)  My friend says, "Your sunshine and rainbows are shining brightly today." Of course they are.  It's a good day.  Why?  Because I want it to be, that's why.

It's about taking the hard stuff in stride.  The hard stuff happens, it's how you deal with it that matters.

Is there such a thing as an optimistic realist?  

So yeah, I want my lip to heal so it stops bleeding and stops hurting me.  But I'm grateful for the reminder every time I smile and laugh that there are things to smile and laugh about. Because the only person who can rain out this sunshine and rainbows is me.

Hi!

I'm back.  And I'm feeling better.  At least feeling like I can handle what's on my plate now.  I'm stayin' alive!  Stayin' alive!  (That's for you Shauna)

I did make a pilgrimage home while I was out house sitting.  I take my laundry over there and get all the big stuff washed.  Like my comforter and rugs and stuff.  On Sunday I ventured home after the laundry was all washed and clean and folded so I wouldn't have to cart it around with me on Tuesday (today).  While hauling everything up the stairs (there are two flights) I saw a really big box sitting outside my door.  I immediately wondered if I had ordered something by accident.  Seriously.  But no, I hadn't.  As it turns out, it was one of the most wonderful things that has happened to me.  I was so excited I could hardly quit dancing long enough to haul it inside.  Let alone get it out of the entry to rip it open and put it together.  Not kidding.

Do ya see it?  Can you believe it?  And the crazy part?  I have no idea who sent it.  Yep.  Don't know.

So to whoever (whomever?) sent this fabulous and totally wonderful chair, thank you.  A million times over.  Crazy amounts of love have been sent out into the universe.  Hopefully you can feel it.

M

Thursday: Project Positive

It's near the end of the week, but not quite done yet

You're tired.  You need more sleep.

You're stressed.  You need a break.

If one more thing happens, you are going to have a very public meltdown.

What do you do?  Please share!

 

M

 

Thursday: Project Positive

Yesterday I went to my first yoga class. 

This is something I've wanted to do for a long while.  I never knew where to go.  I didn't know anyone else who was going to a center and taking from a teacher.  I never went at the rec center when I used to work out regularly.  I was busy doing spinning.  And running.  

Yoga has always interested me.  The people who are hard core into yoga look exactly like the people who are hard core runners.  Long and lean.  And, while I never thought of myself as long and lean, I thought something even just a smudge similar to those results would be nice.

My friend Paula says, when the student is ready the teacher will come.

Yep.  I agree.

I talked to Paula about yoga a couple weeks ago, I knew she had gone to a retreat awhile back.  She said that she didn't take any classes right now, though she was involved in kung fu and buddhism for beginners.  (She is always taking some kind of class and involved in something interesting.)  The teacher she learned yoga from was no longer teaching, but she would ask her buddhist teacher if he knew where to find viniyoga in the valley.  

I thought about it for a couple days.  Wondering if, when I was given the information I asked for, if I would in fact act try it and take a class or two.  In effect, I had started the ball rolling, was I ready to pick it up and run with it?  Or was I going to back out because I was too afraid?  Afraid of what?  Wimp.

So I got online and googled yoga in Salt Lake City.  It's that easy people.

The Centered City Yoga center has a restore class that is based on viniyoga. I sent the link to Paula, she called the center, and a date was set.  The first class was free, so we were able to pop in one night, try it out with no commitment, and then decide if we like the class.

The class we went to was fundamentals.  I've only done yoga on a video.  And that was just ok for me.  I felt like, while it was hard and built strength, I was never doing it quite right.  It should be harder than that.  It is quite something different to have the instructor in the class to ask questions, correct your posture, and rub your head at the end while you are lying there sweaty and tired and hurting in places that don't normally hurt.  

The class was 80 minutes.  I was worn out.  Like I had just done a spinning class at the rec center.

My point of all this?  If there is a yoga center near you, try it.  Just once.  Go to a beginner class.  An easy class.  And try it.  You just might like it.  I should have done it a long time ago.

And how does this relate to Project Positive?  I feel better today than I have in a few weeks.  Exercise, it does a body good.  Even if all you can do is a walk around the block.  Get out and do it.

M

Project Positive

For some people, being positive comes naturally. 

I consider myself a positive person.  But I'm also quite cynical and sarcastic.  I call myself a realist.  A realist with a positive attitude. :)

I've met a few people who are very positive.  It can be quite refreshing to talk to someone who is always happy.  Who always looks at things in an "it's a fantastic day" attitude.

It can also be quite annoying.  It's like these people do not allow themselves to have a bad day.  Or even a mediocre one.  Work, or the weather, can not always be awesome!  It's totally normal and ok for that do to be just ok.  Or fine.  Or even great once in a while.  But awesome?  Really? Every day? 

I don't think so.

Having a positive outlook is a blessing.  If you are not positive, positive things will not happen.  What you project is what you receive.  Something we should all be striving for.

But every once in a while, when the day is just ok or fine, that's awesome too.

Loves,

M 
 

Thursday: Project Positive

I'm sure you've heard of the law of attraction, right?  What ever you think or feel is brought to you. What happens when you wake up and think, "Man I'm tired.  Today is going to drag by.  It's going to be awful."  Then it is awful, right?  Well, what happens if you wake up and say, "Today is great.  The sun is shining, I'm feeling good.  It's gonna be a great day."  Then it is a great day, right?  

In my book, it's even ok to wake up and say, "I'm dog tired.  My muscles are sore.  My body hurts.  But man it's gonna be a great day anyway."  

Is that why happy people are always happy?  I think so.  It's because they have willed themselves to be that way.  They were faced with a decision, happy or upset?  And they choose happy.  They choose to look at everything in a positive way.  The sun is always shining behind those clouds. 

So, have a great day today.

 

(image found via weheartit.com)

 

Loves,

M

Thursday: Project Positive

It is Thursday today, right?  Wow this week went by fast.  I can't believe it's already Thursday.  I have quite the list of to-dos to be done before the weekend.  And then another list to get done during the weekend.  And they are both growing.  As soon as one thing gets done and I have the blessed opportunity of crossing it off my list, it's always just in time to write another task at the bottom.  Whew.  Does it EVER stop??!

On that note, how do you relieve your stress?  We all have it.  In varying degrees.  Causes by varying situations.  The common factor is that we need to get rid of it.  But how?

Well, one will never 'get rid of' their stress.  But one can learn to manage it.  So, how do you manage your stress?

I've tried various things over the years (as if I were old. ha!) to relieve and manage my stress.  Here is a list of things I've tried and had some success with.

1.  Color.  Yep, I got a coloring book and a new box of 64 colors.  There is nothing quite like opening a new box of crayons and breathing in the waxy goodness.  But using those puppies, totally awesome.  

2.  Blowing bubbles.  I do this in two ways.  I bought a jar of bubbles.  The deep breathing/being outside combo is like none other.  The deep breaths will help calm and relax with the increased oxygen intake.  Or, I get a larger than life piece of bubble gum and go to town.  The combo of chewing, breathing, blowing, and the loud noises makes it all go away for me.  It's very typical for me to chew bubble gum all the way home from work.  I feel worlds better by the time I get there.

3.  Running.  While this is a bit more intense, and can cause stress, exercise is good for managing stress.  I think we can all admit to this.  Even if we don't like to exercise.

4.  Yoga.  I. Love. Yoga.  I have restarted my yoga routine in the last few weeks.  The deep breathing, stretching, relaxing, mild exercise of yoga has helped tons.  I got a video that has one part yoga and one part pilates.  So good for my posture too.  Give it a try, you might like it.

5.  Classical Music.  I use this one typically while driving home and chewing large quantities of bubble gum.  Gives me the opportunity to cut out the noise and drama and turn off my brain.  Talk radio works for me too.

6.  Clean.  I usually end up doing chores when I already have too much to do.  But it really helps me focus on the things I really need to get done.  It never takes much energy, but once all the dishes are put away and the clothes are hung up, it makes a huge impact.

7.  Hot Bath.  Of course, everyone knows this works.  Who doesn't love a soak in a hot bath?  So relaxing I could just sleep in it...

8.  Crochet.  Yep, I took up more crafty goodness.  I tried knitting for a while.  And, while that was fun, it took too much brain juice to make it work right.  Crocheting is so brainless for me, and it's ALOT easier to fix a mistake. *grin*

9.  Read.  I've been a reader all my life.  I used to stay up all hours of the night reading because if I just stayed up a little bit longer I can finish this chapter.  Then, before I knew it, it was 3 hours later and if I just stay up a little bit longer I'll finish the book.  Yeah, I still do this.  Harry Potter, Twilight, and lately, Percy Jackson.  John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, and Kate Jacobs.  They rock my world.

10.  I've ran out of ideas.  What do you do?

Loves,

M

Thursday: Project Positive

So it's been a rough week for me.  School started and one of my classes makes me want to kill myself.  Work has been busy, stressful, and borderline nightmare-ish.  And it's really cold.  All the time.  Plus, right now, I'm tired, hungry, and ready to sell everything and move across the country to start over someplace else.  And hopefully do it better the second time around.

When I'm feeling blue I make a list of things that make me happy.  So, on a positive note:

1.  I have a job.  A stable one.  With benfits.  And a 401(k).  They appreciate me.  There are no signs of being laid off.  Which is very nice.  And y'know, I have somewhere to go everyday.  Something that makes me get out of bed, shower, at least pull my hair out of my face, and put on a bit of makeup.  At least.  

2.  School keeps me very busy.  It gives me a plan.  A map.  Some direction.  And it keeps me off the couch stuffing my face with more melted cheese.  Yum.  School just reeks of progress and motivation.  

3.  Yes, it's cold.  But it makes me appreciate the warm.  Well, the hot really.   When the sun shines and it warms you straight to your innards.  Oh how I love it.  Cold brings the snow.  Which is beautiful and doesn't stay year round.  Yay!

4.  I have a whole music collection that always plays the right song when I need it to.  Life saver!

5.  And this drawing class may be my worst nightmare, but... I'm still trying to feel better about this one.  

So, even though I'm still feeling a bit blue, I am feeling much better than I was.  

I need some cheese...

Next week, what do you do to relieve your stress?  I wanna know!  Because, obviously, I have some.

image found at weheartit.com 

Loves,

M

Thursday: Project Positive

I'm here to share a fantastic site to warm the heart and keep you smiling.  Stories of Good.  Since there is enough negative in our lives everyday, why not share a story about the positive. Or read one.  Besides, "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change" Wayne Dyer.  Right?  Right.

And now, pictures.  Yay!  

 

 

 

(all photos found on weheartit.com)

What do you do to make yourself happy?  Eat a tasty treat?  Drink a yummy drink?  Go on a walk?  Read a book?  Play with the kiddos?  Take the day off?  Buy a new pair of shoes?  I wanna hear it!  What makes you happy.

Loves,

M