I'm currently sitting in my lab, door closed (screw the fire hazard), and semi-blaring music while I'm doing a few hours of work. Maybe because it's Sunday, or it's been a busy last few weeks, or something... but for some reason I'm in the mood for reflection and questioning.
Or maybe it's the fact that I'm post-vacation, and I miss it? Perhaps. Italy Vernia Family Vacay was fantastic, and just what I needed: two weeks away from school, stress, responsibility. I could eat all the pasta I wanted, drink all the wine and cappuccinos my heart desired... and I did. It was beautiful weather in a beautiful place. Got to hike one day in Cinque Terre, and take in the architecture the rest of the vacation. Perfect two weeks away. Wish I could have stayed for longer and explored Florence longer, but such is life. We all have to come back to reality at some point.
But coming back wasn't all that bad either. Research is being semi-nice for once, and it may continue to be nice (but get a lot busier... not necessarily a bad thing). But now that I am off my vacation high, and it's back to the real world, being in lab also makes me introspective.
Call it boredom, call it "being in the dumps", call it sadness... actually, don't call it any of that. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it's not just one emotion, and it's not really sadness. Things are changing around me, and I don't think I'm on the same pace that change is happening. That's why I think I'm slightly freaking out about it.
I start teaching next week, which gives me a lot more to do. Picking back up CGSA duties, teaching, getting back into full-time researching, trying to workout and stay healthy, have social time... it feels like it's the school year again. Though there aren't as many students, which is always a nice break during the summer. But this summer is going to fly by... which is the the scariest thing to think about.
The fall brings the beginning of the 3rd year of my PhD program, which leads to the candidacy talk... the dreaded 3rd year talk... the make or break talk. While I'm not as stressed as I should be about it, it's hard not to think about the impending doom that comes with it. Every conversation at school mentions research, or how the talk is going to be terrible, etc. etc.
So with that, and a feeling of slight loneliness, it gives me weird feelings. Like I need a pick-me-up or something. I had pizza (nom nom) this weekend, and had a wonderful Friday with friends. But the thing that has always gotten me back into a groove is music. One of my favorite people who can put a smile on my face and joy in my heart is Andrew McMahon. Never heard of him? Don't worry, you have now.
Pianist and lead vocals for Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin, he is now doing a solo act. So: if you need some music to check out, albums include:
Leaving Through the Window and North - Something Corporate
Everything in Transit, The Glass Passenger, and People and Things (as well as Dear Jack EP) - Jack's Mannequin
The Pop Underground - Andrew McMahon
Just something about the piano gets me in a good mood every time. It brings me back to a simpler time when I use to take piano lessons, and the worst thing that could happen was actually having to practice. But whenever I listen to his music (especially Everything in Transit straight through), it's like I took a Vitamin D pill, and I'm drinking homemade strawberry lemonade, porch sitting on my porch swing and flowers are blooming around me.
I know we all have that one thing that just brightens our day. Mine happens to be Andrew McMahon. What's yours?
I think between my dear friend Andrew, exercising this week, NKOTB/98 Degrees/Boyz II Men, and getting back in my routine, I'll be back into my sunshiney world... while I sit in my darkened wet lab. :)
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and are staying cool. It's getting hot out there, and we need to keep hydrated. Have a great summer (to those that get something like it).
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wait, what do you mean I only have 20 followers on Twitter?
To follow up with the last blog post of "15 Things You Should Give Up to Be Happy", there's an article I found (again on facebook, get off it) that I enjoyed going through. It's a little bit shorter, a little bit more sarcastic, but still very very true. 32 Thoughts You Should Stop Caring About
In this "article", they talk about things that we really shouldn't care about (such as #4, what the people you don't like are posting on their Facebook statuses, or #8, the opinions of people who a) will never like you and b) have absolutely no bearing on your life) to things that are a little bit more fun to joke about (#21, how many followers you have on Twitter, or #25, eating salads on dates (can I get a burger wrapped in bacon, please?)), yet we still care about them.
Why is it that we do care about these things? Yes, some are worries that we have because of low self-worth/self-esteem, or trying to figure out what our path in life is really supposed to be (have we found it yet, are we even going in the right direction, wait, how old am I?). We all have worries, but most of them we really shouldn't worry about.
This complied list really brings forward what kind of things we wonder and think about, and ultimately worry about. The funny thing is, most of these things really shouldn't matter. It makes me remember to take a step back, breathe, and really think about what is important in our lives.
Is it what Kim Khardashian and Kanye West are doing every second? (yes, duh.) Is it what people might think of the dress you are wearing when going out to a bar with your friends for a girls night? (obviously, where have you been?) Is it being the only single one in your group of friends? (OH GOD KILL ME BEFORE THAT HAPPENS)
No, it's the things that we perceive to be a huge deal, when in the grand scheme of life, they aren't at all. We forget that these little things (while we need to treasure the good ones) can ultimately cause so much more stress in our life than we need.
There are going to be people that don't like you. You can't change that, as much as you would like to. There are going to be people who are thinner, better dressed, better spoken than you, but that's just how genetics works. You can only do the best with what you are given, and the sooner you learn to love it, the happier you will be.
And this isn't just about immediate happiness, it's more about overall and longlasting contentness. (Is that a word? It is now...) Once we stop caring about the little things that don't really impact our lives at all, we can actually start being happy (and worrying about the things that do impact our lives, like disease, poverty, etc.)
Does this mean that we're not going to worry about these little things? OF COURSE NOT. I know for a fact that I still worry about the little things A LOT. But, if we can just all take a breath once in a while, and forget about it for a bit, I think it could help us all out immensely.
Have a wonderful day, and weekend, people. I'm about to go on vacation for two weeks to gorge myself with fine Italian pasta, cappuccino and wine, so sorry if I go off the grid for a bit. Holla, and maybe just stop sweating the small stuff, yeah? :)
In this "article", they talk about things that we really shouldn't care about (such as #4, what the people you don't like are posting on their Facebook statuses, or #8, the opinions of people who a) will never like you and b) have absolutely no bearing on your life) to things that are a little bit more fun to joke about (#21, how many followers you have on Twitter, or #25, eating salads on dates (can I get a burger wrapped in bacon, please?)), yet we still care about them.
Why is it that we do care about these things? Yes, some are worries that we have because of low self-worth/self-esteem, or trying to figure out what our path in life is really supposed to be (have we found it yet, are we even going in the right direction, wait, how old am I?). We all have worries, but most of them we really shouldn't worry about.
This complied list really brings forward what kind of things we wonder and think about, and ultimately worry about. The funny thing is, most of these things really shouldn't matter. It makes me remember to take a step back, breathe, and really think about what is important in our lives.
Is it what Kim Khardashian and Kanye West are doing every second? (yes, duh.) Is it what people might think of the dress you are wearing when going out to a bar with your friends for a girls night? (obviously, where have you been?) Is it being the only single one in your group of friends? (OH GOD KILL ME BEFORE THAT HAPPENS)
No, it's the things that we perceive to be a huge deal, when in the grand scheme of life, they aren't at all. We forget that these little things (while we need to treasure the good ones) can ultimately cause so much more stress in our life than we need.
There are going to be people that don't like you. You can't change that, as much as you would like to. There are going to be people who are thinner, better dressed, better spoken than you, but that's just how genetics works. You can only do the best with what you are given, and the sooner you learn to love it, the happier you will be.
And this isn't just about immediate happiness, it's more about overall and longlasting contentness. (Is that a word? It is now...) Once we stop caring about the little things that don't really impact our lives at all, we can actually start being happy (and worrying about the things that do impact our lives, like disease, poverty, etc.)
Does this mean that we're not going to worry about these little things? OF COURSE NOT. I know for a fact that I still worry about the little things A LOT. But, if we can just all take a breath once in a while, and forget about it for a bit, I think it could help us all out immensely.
Have a wonderful day, and weekend, people. I'm about to go on vacation for two weeks to gorge myself with fine Italian pasta, cappuccino and wine, so sorry if I go off the grid for a bit. Holla, and maybe just stop sweating the small stuff, yeah? :)
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
and I hope you find it, you just want to take a faster ride, lower lows, higher highs.
There's an article I found online that I really enjoyed reading: 15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy. I know I'm always trying to endorse positive thinking and happiness, and as I was going through this article, a lot of things rang true.
Things that I have done to try to be happy since I've gained this attitude after travelling to New Zealand:
1. Give up your need to always be right. It's hard, because I like to think I'm right a lot, especially when I know a lot about certain subjects. However, I've found that there are other people like that as well. And while it's nice to be right, that good feeling goes away in about 0.4 seconds. So what's the point of always needing to be right? Just go with it.
8. Give up your need to impress others. Yes, there will be instances where you need to try to impress other people (for example, a job interview). However, and this is obviously still a work in progress, I've definitely tried to be comfortable in my own skin, and just be myself. If people aren't impressed with that, then obviously they didn't need to be in my life. The friends and family I have are so great and have always been so encouraging in whatever I've wanted to do... those are the only people I need in my life.
Things that I need to do/continue to do better to do these to be happy:
2. Give up your need for control. This is always so hard for me to do. I am definitely my mother's daughter, and her nickname is Captain-Commander. Not by coincidence, but because she wants to have control over every aspect in her life. I am very similar, but since getting to grad school, I'm slowly loosing the reins on that. Things are going to work, or they are not, and most of the time you can't control that. The only thing you get from trying to be in control is stress. Everything happens for a reason, but it's less stressful to let them happen, and then deal with what comes next.
6. Give up complaining. Too many times, I complain about the littlest of things. I guess we're all wishing for something better, that something better is out there, and want that. So we complain about the things we have now, even when they're great. I know I have to go back, reflect, regroup and remember to enjoy what I have in my life, since it definitely could be worse.
---------
Ultimately, you are in charge of your own destiny and happiness. The guide above definitely can help you if you're in a rut in how to be happy. Happiness happens from moment to moment, and sometimes you have to work at it. But it's just part of an amazing journey that is called your life.
Are there things that you need to work on from this list? Goodness knows I have a lot to still work on, but it can happen over time. It doesn't have to all fall into place right now.
Go enjoy this beautiful spring weather, people. Go to a baseball game, for a walk in the park, read a book on the porch with a good cup of coffee. Do what you enjoy with people you enjoy. That's a pretty easy way to be happy, I think.
Stay positive, and until next time.
Things that I have done to try to be happy since I've gained this attitude after travelling to New Zealand:
1. Give up your need to always be right. It's hard, because I like to think I'm right a lot, especially when I know a lot about certain subjects. However, I've found that there are other people like that as well. And while it's nice to be right, that good feeling goes away in about 0.4 seconds. So what's the point of always needing to be right? Just go with it.
8. Give up your need to impress others. Yes, there will be instances where you need to try to impress other people (for example, a job interview). However, and this is obviously still a work in progress, I've definitely tried to be comfortable in my own skin, and just be myself. If people aren't impressed with that, then obviously they didn't need to be in my life. The friends and family I have are so great and have always been so encouraging in whatever I've wanted to do... those are the only people I need in my life.
Things that I need to do/continue to do better to do these to be happy:
2. Give up your need for control. This is always so hard for me to do. I am definitely my mother's daughter, and her nickname is Captain-Commander. Not by coincidence, but because she wants to have control over every aspect in her life. I am very similar, but since getting to grad school, I'm slowly loosing the reins on that. Things are going to work, or they are not, and most of the time you can't control that. The only thing you get from trying to be in control is stress. Everything happens for a reason, but it's less stressful to let them happen, and then deal with what comes next.
6. Give up complaining. Too many times, I complain about the littlest of things. I guess we're all wishing for something better, that something better is out there, and want that. So we complain about the things we have now, even when they're great. I know I have to go back, reflect, regroup and remember to enjoy what I have in my life, since it definitely could be worse.
---------
Ultimately, you are in charge of your own destiny and happiness. The guide above definitely can help you if you're in a rut in how to be happy. Happiness happens from moment to moment, and sometimes you have to work at it. But it's just part of an amazing journey that is called your life.
Are there things that you need to work on from this list? Goodness knows I have a lot to still work on, but it can happen over time. It doesn't have to all fall into place right now.
Go enjoy this beautiful spring weather, people. Go to a baseball game, for a walk in the park, read a book on the porch with a good cup of coffee. Do what you enjoy with people you enjoy. That's a pretty easy way to be happy, I think.
Stay positive, and until next time.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
A little bit of everything, I guess.
So much has happened the past few weeks, yet I never take time to put what I've felt from it into words. Tonight, with the thunder and lightning, and Justin Timberlake's Mirrors (It's better if you listen along too) playing in the background, I thought it'd the perfect way to clear my mind before bed. Yoga helps, but that was a few hours ago, and I'll take nature's open opportunity.
First off, I know that this may not be a big deal for some people, but the Louisville Cardinals won the 2013 National Championship. Honestly, words cannot express the joy I felt from that. This team this year had so many storylines, from Gorgui, Peyton, Russ, Kevin, Chane, Luke... there has never been a team that I've watched that I wanted them to win so badly. (Granted I felt terrible for Preston Knowles when he went out injured in 2011, but that's a different story) So having this team finish it out, especially after Kevin's injury, was so fantastic. I got to celebrate with my friends in Louisville, and with Cardinal fans all over the city. We've been waiting since 1986 to celebrate, and we were finally able to. Louisville First, Cardinals Forever.
Now: I know most everyone has heard of the explosions in Boston during the marathon. I was so appalled at the fact that it happened, and then I remembered that there were people there that I cared about, as one of my best friend's family lives up there. Luckily for her and us, everyone is okay. Her father is a firefighter, and was probably extremely busy. But it is people like him, like the policemen, and volunteers that stepped up and help control the situation, those are people that we sometimes forget to appreciate. I'm happy we have them, and I'm very happy that the people I know are also safe. Definitely thoughts are in Boston.
One thing I found online just about 20 minutes ago is this Dove YouTube video: Dove Beauty Sketches If you haven't seen it, I suggest you definitely do. We also forget our beauty, and tend to focus on negative aspects (like how I keep finding white hairs here and there lol). I don't want to spoil the video, but I definitely cried watching it. Just seeing how surprised people were... Just try to remember that you are a beautiful people, and you may just forget what other people see as your beauty. Make sure to revisit it, to help you be content.
I'm sorry this post has been a bit disjointed, but I feel like I've had a lot on my mind. Emotions are swirling, and I've probably cried more in the past 2 weeks than I have in the past 2 months. Not from sadness, but just letting all emotions come out and not holding them in. It's been refreshing, to say the least.
I usually also hate rain, thunderstorms, bad weather... but there's something refreshing that comes with a good rainstorm. It's a fresh start... we could all use that from time to time.
I'll stop rambling. But maybe I can sleep a bit better tonight. Just remember, tomorrow is a new day, so go make it great.
First off, I know that this may not be a big deal for some people, but the Louisville Cardinals won the 2013 National Championship. Honestly, words cannot express the joy I felt from that. This team this year had so many storylines, from Gorgui, Peyton, Russ, Kevin, Chane, Luke... there has never been a team that I've watched that I wanted them to win so badly. (Granted I felt terrible for Preston Knowles when he went out injured in 2011, but that's a different story) So having this team finish it out, especially after Kevin's injury, was so fantastic. I got to celebrate with my friends in Louisville, and with Cardinal fans all over the city. We've been waiting since 1986 to celebrate, and we were finally able to. Louisville First, Cardinals Forever.
Now: I know most everyone has heard of the explosions in Boston during the marathon. I was so appalled at the fact that it happened, and then I remembered that there were people there that I cared about, as one of my best friend's family lives up there. Luckily for her and us, everyone is okay. Her father is a firefighter, and was probably extremely busy. But it is people like him, like the policemen, and volunteers that stepped up and help control the situation, those are people that we sometimes forget to appreciate. I'm happy we have them, and I'm very happy that the people I know are also safe. Definitely thoughts are in Boston.
One thing I found online just about 20 minutes ago is this Dove YouTube video: Dove Beauty Sketches If you haven't seen it, I suggest you definitely do. We also forget our beauty, and tend to focus on negative aspects (like how I keep finding white hairs here and there lol). I don't want to spoil the video, but I definitely cried watching it. Just seeing how surprised people were... Just try to remember that you are a beautiful people, and you may just forget what other people see as your beauty. Make sure to revisit it, to help you be content.
I'm sorry this post has been a bit disjointed, but I feel like I've had a lot on my mind. Emotions are swirling, and I've probably cried more in the past 2 weeks than I have in the past 2 months. Not from sadness, but just letting all emotions come out and not holding them in. It's been refreshing, to say the least.
I usually also hate rain, thunderstorms, bad weather... but there's something refreshing that comes with a good rainstorm. It's a fresh start... we could all use that from time to time.
I'll stop rambling. But maybe I can sleep a bit better tonight. Just remember, tomorrow is a new day, so go make it great.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
I want to dance like the characters on Charlie Brown when I hear...
... the song "Kiss You" by One Direction! Yes, I know. Getting back into my boy band days, even though they are this generation's N*SYNC, Backstreet Boys, KNOTB, 98 Degrees, DreamStreet, etc. (So we maybe had too many boy bands when I was growing up! ... NAH) I guess I'm just gearing up for NKOTB, 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men concert this summer! Time to bring out the scrunchies, roll-on glitter, and old school band t-shirts! But if you haven't listened to this song yet, do so. You'll know what I'm talking about in the title.
Anyway, I promise I won't mention too much about March Madness, since a lot of people's teams aren't in the tournament, and I refuse to jinx the CARDS. But I'm loving all the basketball games on! It's been a little rough on getting back into the habit of working, but seeing as it's the end of spring break, I can work tomorrow!
I don't really have that much to say, I guess. It's been hard to be motivated to do much work the past couple of weeks, being sick and then having spring break. But I've been doing alright with it, and I'm ready to get back to the grind! I'm going to make myself start running again a few days a week, since I miss it so much, and maybe the endorphins will help me get over this yucky weather we've been having. I'm so ready for spring!
Just remember that you are your biggest supporter and your biggest critic. You are the one that can make yourself happy or unhappy. We all need time to feel other emotions besides happiness, we can't be happy all the time. Maybe I like being content better than being happy. Almost the same thing right? But I'm okay with just being okay in the moment. I like the moment more and more I'm in it.
Also: I've decided that slowly but surely I want to be more spontaneous. I've been a super planner since my high school days, and while I will always be a planner, I want to be a bit more spontaneous from time to time. Any suggestions from you all? Obviously I'm not great at it. Lol.
Here's for warmer weather hopefully coming our way soon, and don't forget to smile! It takes more muscles in your face to frown than it does to smile! :)
Monday, February 25, 2013
Waiting for the rain to stop. Destination: Beautiful. Seems that I'm still waiting for the Sun.
This past weekend, I made the trek down to Nashville, TN to see one of my favorite bands play. (And I got the opportunity to see some grade school and high school friends, so even better!) Mae was having a reunion show after doing two in Virginia Beach, and they were celebrating the 10 year anniversary of their first album, Destination: Beautiful. Hearing it live straight through was so amazing. They also played a few more songs for an encore. The last time I had seen them, they were on their Goodbye: Goodnight tour, promoting their last album (e)vening. So when I heard about this recent show, there was no way I was going to miss it. It didn't disappoint. There's something about being in the moment, hearing songs live that you lived your life through. Something just so special about being with other people that have done the same, whether you know them or not. Nothing that makes us differnt matters. Everyone is there for the same reason: to remember the emotions you feel when you hear these songs, to enjoy the music, to enjoy the moment.
Mae always was a band to listen to whenever I wanted to relax. I do yoga to it, I listen to it before bed, when I wake up and walk to school: it's some of the most soothing and relaxing music I have.
One thing I've learned from their music: live in the moment. For me, that's one of the hardest things to do. I know I'm always looking forward to the next thing, the next big event, the next reaction I have to run, the next weekend plans, the next person I meet. It's hard not to look at the future for me, since I've grown so accustomed to planning everything out in advance. I've recently adapted to only planning what I need to plan, and not much more. Call it sponataneity; I'll consider it causing less stress for myself.
I'm trying to appreciate the here and now more. I may not be living every day to the fullest, but I'm trying to be happy with what I have done, what I have accomplished with each day. Whether it's being in lab a full day, or going to see my favorite band; whether it's taking a walk in the park, or going out with friends: it's about just enjoying the moment. Each one is different, and unique, and too often we're always looking for the most exciting, the most enjoyable. What's to say that this moment right now isn't enjoyable? And if it's not, how can you change that?
Too often, I'm waiting for the next big thing to come up. Why not just make the next big thing right now?
Only thing that stops you from that is yourself. We can be our own worst enemy when it comes to our self-happiness.
What can you do to live and enjoy each moment? What helps you to enjoy your life? What's something that you've done for yourself lately?
Remember that while you're waiting for the sun to enjoy the rain. It's beautiful wherever your destination.
Mae always was a band to listen to whenever I wanted to relax. I do yoga to it, I listen to it before bed, when I wake up and walk to school: it's some of the most soothing and relaxing music I have.
One thing I've learned from their music: live in the moment. For me, that's one of the hardest things to do. I know I'm always looking forward to the next thing, the next big event, the next reaction I have to run, the next weekend plans, the next person I meet. It's hard not to look at the future for me, since I've grown so accustomed to planning everything out in advance. I've recently adapted to only planning what I need to plan, and not much more. Call it sponataneity; I'll consider it causing less stress for myself.
I'm trying to appreciate the here and now more. I may not be living every day to the fullest, but I'm trying to be happy with what I have done, what I have accomplished with each day. Whether it's being in lab a full day, or going to see my favorite band; whether it's taking a walk in the park, or going out with friends: it's about just enjoying the moment. Each one is different, and unique, and too often we're always looking for the most exciting, the most enjoyable. What's to say that this moment right now isn't enjoyable? And if it's not, how can you change that?
Too often, I'm waiting for the next big thing to come up. Why not just make the next big thing right now?
Only thing that stops you from that is yourself. We can be our own worst enemy when it comes to our self-happiness.
What can you do to live and enjoy each moment? What helps you to enjoy your life? What's something that you've done for yourself lately?
Remember that while you're waiting for the sun to enjoy the rain. It's beautiful wherever your destination.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Do what makes you happy. Remember what makes you happy.
First things first: Beyonce for president. Seriously. She is an amazing human being, and anyone who can't see it... better get your vision checked out. Been on a Beyonce kick since the Super Bowl halftime show. AWESOME.
Now. Moving on.
A friend had this quote on her facebook today:
"Happiness is not a destination. It is a mood, it is not permanent. It comes and goes and if people thought that way, maybe more people would find happiness more often."
Like so many others, I'm always looking for happiness. Overall, I think I'm happy, there are days where I'm not. But I do agree with this quote, where there isn't a spot called "happiness", and once I get through certain events, then I will reach happiness. You decide whether or not you're happy. People, food, groups, events, these things can help make you happy. But ultimately, you are the only person that controls your happiness. The second you let someone else be in charge of your happiness, you're not happy.
That's something I've been trying to achieve recently, as I had so much stress from my 2nd year talk, chemistry in general, and relationships with people changing. I wasn't depressed or anything, but I didn't feel happy. I felt indifferent.
So, I decided to get back to things that make me happy. One of the those things is soccer. Whether it's playing or watching (more watching now than playing), soccer has always made me happy. Recently, the US men's national team has played in an international friendly against Canada, and a World Cup Qualifier against Honduras. Even though the results of these games were not what I wanted, watching the games with a group of soccer fans just as crazy as I am was so great. I'm talking about the American Outlaws, the USMNT supporters. There are chapters in many cities across the US, and they definitely have love for America and the Yanks. Check them out if you love soccer, and want somewhere to watch games with crazies: http://www.theamericanoutlaws.com/ The guys (and few gals) that meet down at Molly Malone's in Covington, KY are so awesome, so come join us sometime!
Another thing that has made me happy is yoga. Leslie, the yoga instructor on Tuesdays at the Rec Center here at UC, must be a hypnotist or something, because she's INSANE at what she does. And I mean insane in the best way possible. I never thought it would be possible to turn off my brain for 45 minutes, and then be somewhat peaceful for the rest of the night. But, oh, it is possible, and it's more than wonderful. I also go on Wednesdays, and sometimes on Friday (but it's late sometimes). If you have never tried yoga before, and just want something calming yet good for your body, I highly recommend it. It doesn't matter if you're the most flexible person or not, but it's been such a good addition this semester.
I'm also just taking time for myself, and not worrying about trying to make things happen as much. I'm trying to hang out with friends, both old and new. But I'm definitely recharging myself for what is coming in the future. Life isn't always easy, but there's no reason it can't be fun and you can't be happy overall.
What are things that make you happy? If you're feeling down, think about the things that usually make you happy. Have you been partaking in those events, things, people, etc? If not, revisit those, and then look at how you feel after.
Just because today might be a bad day today, that doesn't mean that tomorrow won't be a wonderful day. Keep your head up loves, and just breathe and take life one day at a time.
Until next time. I'm going back to my Beyonce girl crush, and enjoying my Friday. :)
Now. Moving on.
A friend had this quote on her facebook today:
"Happiness is not a destination. It is a mood, it is not permanent. It comes and goes and if people thought that way, maybe more people would find happiness more often."
Like so many others, I'm always looking for happiness. Overall, I think I'm happy, there are days where I'm not. But I do agree with this quote, where there isn't a spot called "happiness", and once I get through certain events, then I will reach happiness. You decide whether or not you're happy. People, food, groups, events, these things can help make you happy. But ultimately, you are the only person that controls your happiness. The second you let someone else be in charge of your happiness, you're not happy.
That's something I've been trying to achieve recently, as I had so much stress from my 2nd year talk, chemistry in general, and relationships with people changing. I wasn't depressed or anything, but I didn't feel happy. I felt indifferent.
So, I decided to get back to things that make me happy. One of the those things is soccer. Whether it's playing or watching (more watching now than playing), soccer has always made me happy. Recently, the US men's national team has played in an international friendly against Canada, and a World Cup Qualifier against Honduras. Even though the results of these games were not what I wanted, watching the games with a group of soccer fans just as crazy as I am was so great. I'm talking about the American Outlaws, the USMNT supporters. There are chapters in many cities across the US, and they definitely have love for America and the Yanks. Check them out if you love soccer, and want somewhere to watch games with crazies: http://www.theamericanoutlaws.com/ The guys (and few gals) that meet down at Molly Malone's in Covington, KY are so awesome, so come join us sometime!
Another thing that has made me happy is yoga. Leslie, the yoga instructor on Tuesdays at the Rec Center here at UC, must be a hypnotist or something, because she's INSANE at what she does. And I mean insane in the best way possible. I never thought it would be possible to turn off my brain for 45 minutes, and then be somewhat peaceful for the rest of the night. But, oh, it is possible, and it's more than wonderful. I also go on Wednesdays, and sometimes on Friday (but it's late sometimes). If you have never tried yoga before, and just want something calming yet good for your body, I highly recommend it. It doesn't matter if you're the most flexible person or not, but it's been such a good addition this semester.
I'm also just taking time for myself, and not worrying about trying to make things happen as much. I'm trying to hang out with friends, both old and new. But I'm definitely recharging myself for what is coming in the future. Life isn't always easy, but there's no reason it can't be fun and you can't be happy overall.
What are things that make you happy? If you're feeling down, think about the things that usually make you happy. Have you been partaking in those events, things, people, etc? If not, revisit those, and then look at how you feel after.
Just because today might be a bad day today, that doesn't mean that tomorrow won't be a wonderful day. Keep your head up loves, and just breathe and take life one day at a time.
Until next time. I'm going back to my Beyonce girl crush, and enjoying my Friday. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)