oh HAPPY day

About a month ago I watched a gloriously uplifting and inspiring documentary called Happy. (Just the start of my Netflix doc binge that I am still on) Everyone should watch it! I'm not going to give away too much, but my main take-away was that the circumstantial things that happen in life only contribute to a fraction (literally only 10%) of your happiness level.  Your genetics make up an immense portion of it (about 50%) but the remaining 40% is tied directly to your intentions and actions.  To me, this is wonderful news because it means I can do things to directly effect my happiness level and just another reason my journey through intentional living is warranted!


A few things that will set you off your path to happiness...

• Comparing yourself to another
• Forgetting to express gratitude for what you ALREADY have
• Seeking approval from others (Be confident in your decisions)
• Speaking ill of others or putting others down due to insecurity
• Not setting goals and identifying issues as problems vs challenges

So forget what I said about  not wanting to give too much information, but despite my optimism and rose-colored glasses, I also like to think that I am sort of a realist. That being said, here is my SPOILER ALERT!  You've been warned. If you're still reading, I assume that this means you don't plan on watching this movie, so shame on you. This is unfortunate because I want to contribute to Americas Gross National Happiness (that's a real thing- it's in the movie and it is fabulous) I will share with you some of the specifics from the documentary on how to increase your happiness:

•  Play (because you're only as old as you feel)
•  New experiences (there is a traveler, wanderer, adventurer in all of us just dying to get out)
•  Physical Exercise (look good feel good, am I right?)
•  Friends and family (self explanatory)
•  Helping others (no one became poor by giving)
•  Appreciation (ALWAYS)

Sorry for the side commentary but I try to add a bit of my personality into my blogs and I always have a little blurb about everything. BUT... Pretty simple.Very important. Now move forward and just be happy! And yes, I know today is Monday. Even more reason to push this joyful agenda.

"Don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff"



(I will also add a little post soon of all the documentaries I have recently watched and ones that I think are worth a view)

Intentional Living

Recently, I discovered a friend of mine had started a blog a few months back and after reading through her posts (multiple times... As in like 7 or maybe even 9) I had this overwhelming feeling of needing to make changes. It was the most intense thing I have felt in a while and almost like I was hit by a theoretical sign. Right to the forehead. 

I think it's easy to say you want to make changes and it's even easier to forget the journey you're trying to embark on because reverting to your old self seems to always come out victorious. I have tried to make changes towards self love and have failed too many times to count. It's corny and cliché, but the things that are hardest and take the most time usually end up being our greatest lessons and biggest blessings. (Bachelors degree, pregnancy/labor/birth, deployments, and motherhood are just some examples from my life)

The next step in my life needs to be a big one. I want to truly be the best version of myself in every sense possible. I need to eat like I love myself, speak like I love myself, act like I love myself, and be in love with myself. Not in a narcissistic way. The opposite actually. I want to be so aware and content with who I am that I no longer worry about myself. Taking care of myself should be like breathing; instinctive and effortless. I'm not giving myself any more time to tear me down in any aspect. 

My next step is to make others feel as important and loved as possible. I want to put my focus on being kind, gracious, and sympathetic. Compassion is something that needs to be emphasized more in our lives. People love and need to know that they are doing great things, so why not be the one to boost their confidence a little? I mean, isn't that what we all want? To do something we love and enjoy doing with some reassurance along the way. Kindness is contagious and it doesn't cost a dime! 

With that being said, I really want to focus on us ladies. We are so hard on ourselves and each other. How did we get to this point? We all know how hard life can get sometimes, yet we are so quick to put each other down. This isn't true for everyone, though. There are so many inspiring and uplifting women in my life who encourage me and others around them to want to be better. I love when women love themselves or are learning to, and inspire other women to do the same. Plus you never know, people may surprise you. I've had my fair share of surprises in the past week, both good and bad but life is all about balance, right?

I want to make a difference and I am going to start by accepting people for exactly who they are and going out of my way to love and help anyone who will let me. (So motivational speaker-esque, I know but I have this urge to open up and live with intention okay?)

        2016 already seems so bright.