The ultimate goal on the road towards happiness, to reach a zen level. This year the A - Z Challenge had as theme a happiness project, during which I tried to collect at least one item which makes me happy. It had proven to be quite a challenge, literally, since I had quite a tough personal period - deaths in the family, in my friends circle as well as quite a turmoil in my attempt to identify what I want to do in the near future. On the other hand, the fact that I stayed focused and tried to write on a daily basis (even if I had moments during which I could not really concentrate) proved that I do find lovely things around me which make me smile. I wish you all a happy day, I might return to my blogging silence for a while, still trying to figure out where to go next ... And hey, I made it :)
My experience with yoga is not necessarly the best, somehow I never managed to relax and to get into the exercise. Some told me that it is up to the teacher to emerse you into the meditation, but I guess I never found the right one. Still I believe that via yoga you can reach a level of happiness which other activities do not allow. Do you remember the movie Eat, Love, Pray? I still envy themain character for her achivement.
It was really hard to find a word starting with X which defines something which brings happiness, nevertheless I stumbled upon Xanthas which is a very unusual name which stands for:
It gives you the desire to understand and help others with their problems but, at the same time, you can become too involved and worrying as the result.
This name creates a pleasant, easy-going, and responsible nature.
You are good natured and affectionate and enjoy home and family life.
You tend to avoid issues, however, and put off until tomorrow decisions that should be made today.
Sounds like someone who may find happy moments every day! I cannot believe the challenge is almost over, wow!
I have found the following picture on one my friend's Facebook page (thank you D.) and I thought it sums up a lovely happy day plus one item, namely writing. Despite the fact that my inspiration is not what is used to be, I still enjoy writing quite a lot, letting words flow on a piece of paper or on the computer.
Some of us are gifted with musical talent, some can paint, others can dance like there is no tomorrow. Me on the other hand have not so many creative sides, but still I can draw (I love to use black pencils) and I can knit. OK, now you are allowed to smile, but just a bit! Still knitting makes me happy, imagine me sitting in a comfy armchair, sipping a lovely jasmin tea, enjoying the silent winter afternoon, perfect! But all in all I am more analytical and social, these are my strong traits, as described below. What about you?
Art in general makes me happy and while on holiday I so try to get out as much as possible, especially to cultural events and I am so excited since in Sunday I will see Anna Karenina as theatre play. Since language is a barrier I chose to add a piece of ballet, the music is always powerful, enjoy!
While on holiday I always recover my energy while sleeping (this of course if I don't stay up reading which is another activity which I do a lot while on holiday), somehow it feels wonderful to stop my alarm clock, to ignore the birds singing at 6am and just enjoy waking up when I want. Having a good night sleep makes me happy, it gives me a good vibe for the whole day and I always know a good cupmof coffee awaits me ;)
Quinoa is an ancient food from South America. While it looks a bit like rice, it has a richer, heartier flavor and crunchier texture. It tastes like brown rice but I like that it is fluffy and somehow creamy.
Another recipe which I cook quite often is a quinoa risotto with zucchini and smoked salmon, a true delight!
Happy Easter everyone - I hope you will have days full of light!
Till date I have read lots of articles which demonstrate that people who are viewing life with optimism live longer and enjoy life fully. Some facts which helped me:
1. Have positive thoughts about yourself and others. The glass is always full even if it has 50% water, the rest is air :)
2. Stop comparing yourself. Every individual has unique and has special talents that should be appreciated. I did learn that my qualities brought me lots of joy and I strive to develop them further.
3. In every difficult moment, face the challenge by focusing on achieving a positive outcome, rather than anticipating defeat. Plus you never know where you end.
4. Exercise, eat healthy diet, and good sleeping habits and hygiene. Well I follow almost all of them!
5. Challenge your mind every day by learning something new, plus read read read, it helps!
I guess now you will ask why movement? Well I believe that moving keeps you happy:
- by moving yout body you exercise, you discover new places, you get warm
- by moving your eyes you find out great things, like a flower bloom, an unsual cloud or a smiling face
- by moving your head you discover new persectives, a new approach to the same view
- by moving your limbs you have a new direction
- by moving your thoughts you develop new ideas, you get creative
- by moving things you shape the universe
So did I persuade you that movement is positive? :)
During the 2012 this post gained the highest amount of hits and comments and I guess the reason behind it is due to its simple but valid message: you live, you laugh, you love, you learn and in the end you let go! Sometimes it is that easy so a reminder below:
Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. -- Oprah Winfrey
By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning. -- Lao Tzu
Think about any attachments that are depleting your emotional reserves. Consider letting them go. -- Oprah Winfrey
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. -- Lao Tzu
Today I walked a lot, with my mother towards the market but mostly alone. And the music was my sole companion, I listened to Anastacia, to Pharell Williams, to Robbie Wiliams, to Gregory Porter and many more. My taste is rather diverse, small note on the side: tomorrow I will attend Carmen at the Opera in my home town.
I am not very musical, my teacher always told me that I have no voice. But still I enjoy music, without it my life would be rather bland and not so happy. I sometimes smile while walking with the headphones on and I believe that people might think I am a bit unsual :)
But what I miss at the moment is the sound of the keyboards which my husband used to make while practising in his room. I could not hear the music (he was also having his headphones on) but having the blip-blip in the background reminded me that he is there, that I am not alone, that I am happy. Keyboards ...
Another day for the A to Z Challenge ... With another idea for the happiness project: investment in the people close by, either friends, family, aquitances. During the last months I have noticed that what brings you forward is a simple smile, a nice word addressed in a needy moment or a hello. This of course is valid for my personal life. But I have learned that this rule applies in my professional life as well. If you spend time with your co-workers / team members you can easily identify means to motivate them, to help them stay focus, to perform better. For me social skills are vital.
- walk in the forest
- prepare lemonade and spend an afternoon in the garden with your friends
- grill
- see a movie
- go shopping
- sky diving (on my bucket list)
- take a train with a spontaneous destination
- walk your dog (miss Naila!)
- plant flowers
- read in a coffee shop
- picnic time
- hike
- go to concert
- attend a festival
- go to the zoo
"A story is not like a road to follow … it's more like a house. You go inside and stay there for a while, wandering back and forth and settling where you like and discovering how the room and corridors relate to each other, how the world outside is altered by being viewed from these windows. And you, the visitor, the reader, are altered as well by being in this enclosed space, whether it is ample and easy or full of crooked turns, or sparsely or opulently furnished. You can go back again and again, and the house, the story, always contains more than you saw the last time. It also has a sturdy sense of itself of being built out of its own necessity, not just to shelter or beguile you."
by Alice Munro
