The amount of happiness that you have depends on the amount of freedom you have in your heart. – Thich Nhat Hanh Who doesn’t want to be happy? Just take a look at any moment of your life, […]
10 Wise Choices to Skyrocket Your Happiness Read More »
So often we (or at least those of us who struggle with confidence) tell ourselves that confidence is one of those intangible, inherent qualities. Either you have it, or you don’t. Some people seem to just ooze it. You know who I’m talking about. They walk into a room and you can just see the puddles of leftover confidence that’s just dripped off of them as they meandered gracefully from one person to the next. Little social butterflies with the presence of something so much larger and greater.
I’ve wanted to be that person for a long, long time. I’ve wished that I had the confidence to be the “life of the party” or, if not that, at the very least someone who didn’t shy away from the party altogether. People are attracted to confidence. I’ve always wanted to inspire that. But, here’s what I’ve learned over the years: we can choose to be confident.
Choosing Confidence Read More »
To say that life doesn’t always goes as planned can be the understatement of a lifetime. I got a large dose of that reality last month when I gave birth to my first child. My beautiful daughter Eleanor was born by emergency Caesarean section on July 21, 2011, weighing in at 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 21 inches.
Being a project manager by trade, I tried my best to anticipate what would happen during the birth. I created a “birth plan,” which outlined everything I wanted to happen from my first contraction to leaving the hospital. Of course, I knew that labor can turn into an emergency, but after attending several birth classes, I felt assured that I would have a less traumatic experience. I mean, I prepared beforehand, right? What could go wrong?
Dealing with the Unexpected Read More »
The pivotal event of my life happened in my early 20s.
I was living away from home for the first time, training to be a staff member for a voluntary organisation known for its cookie-cutter approach (and I’m a cookie that doesn’t cut well).
Quite a big chunk of the support money that I was supposed to be living on wasn’t coming through, and to put the tin lid on it I was in unrequited love with one of my fellow trainees.
How to Be Happy Now By Dealing With the Past Read More »
Whenever I’m in a serious rut one of the first things that helps rectify the situation is taking a look around and evaluating the state of my living space. It may not sound like the place to start but a calm environment is usually a key ingredient towards fostering my self growth and refreshing the imagination.
After all, if my surroundings are falling apart it’s only natural that I too could start cracking at the seams.
That’s why though an occasional major cleaning or de-cluttering campaign does the job, once in a while a more drastic approach is in order. It’s something I like to call spatial rejuvenation.
Why Altering Your Personal Space Can Rejuvenate Your Spirit Read More »
Most of us want things that we don’t have. I, for one, would like to start a family and be the best mother I can be. I want to publish a novel. I want my small business to
The Entitlement Trap Read More »
I was born without two things: the ability to whistle and the hand-eye coordination required for playing any sport. I’m not sure which parent to blame for these genetic deficiencies, so I just rotate. I think the fact that my body rejects the idea of whistling is directly correlated to the fact that I’m not a sunshiny person. Sunshiny people, by definition, have to be able to whistle. They must also love mornings, birthdays and drinking half-full cups of coffee – all things that don’t agree with me. Along with the usual side effects of being a non-sunshiny person, I am what most would classify as a pessimist. But, can you humor me and use the term realist even though we both know it’s just a cop out? And speaking of what’s real, this is your six month reminder that Christmas shopping is right around the corner. You’re welcome.
Every year, right around November, I say something to the effect of: I sure won’t be sad to see this year end. I know – horrible, right? But I bet if I took a show of hands, I wouldn’t be the only who has ever said they are excited to see the year go bye-bye. This past spring, I started thinking about why we do this. After all, when a loved one is terminally ill, the one thing in the world we wish for is more time. I often hear empty nesters say how they wish they could go back to when their kids were little and freeze time. And the instant we discover our first gray hair, suddenly the days of an awkward, zit-faced teenager don’t look so bad. So why are we so excited to see each year come to an end?
Confessions of a Pessimist Read More »
I have a confession to make. I read cheesy romance novels. The kind of novels where the woman has a great career and doesn’t need a man, but that doesn’t matter. She finds one anyone in an epic adventure of suspense, mystery, and yes, passion. Sure, at first she doesn’t think they’re a good match and she might even (gasp) hate this man, but as the story unfolds, it’s obvious that they are made for each other. Love descends upon them both in a flash of brilliant desire and boom, happy ending for our couple.
Of course, these novels aren’t realistic in any sense, and no one really takes them seriously. Hidden between the pages, however, is a misconception that has permeated our lives. It’s the idea that “love happens magically,” as if meeting the right person at the right time will ignite it. Only those of us who win the love lottery will get to experience true love.
Creating More Love in Your Life Read More »
Have you ever wished that some aspect of your life would just change, overnight?
We often want change – but it can be hard to accept that it’s even possible. Do any of these look familiar?
All my family are overweight, so it’s no surprise I’m fat…
I’ve never been any good with money…
I just don’t have any willpower…
I hate exercise…
All too often, we rule out possibilities. We adopt a fixed rather than a growth mindset, convincing ourselves that hey, this is just the way we are, and we can’t change.
Take Responsibility, and Change Your Life Read More »
We usually feel fear when we get frustrated, when our self-esteem is threatened, or when we feel pressured to perform beyond our perceived capability. Unhealthy fear is debilitating; healthy fear is mobilizing. But no matter what kind of fear you experience, it requires your immediate attention, or you risk cowering behind your full potential for the rest of your life. Read on for some tips on facing up to your fears.
Facing Up to Your Fears Read More »
What do you really want from life?
I mean really, really want. If you sit down and think about why you want anything, you can almost always discover that the main reason is because you want to feel a certain way.
It could be to feel peace of mind, fulfillment, purpose, or even freedom.
You may think you want money, but what does money give you? Freedom? And what does freedom give you?
11 Incredibly Simple Ways to Infuse Your Life with Bliss, Happiness, and Joy Read More »
