My Happiness Project (Day 4/100)

Hello Day 4!  I am going to add to my reading list - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  This book was recommended to me by my lovely roommate and dear friend.  It seems have been around for a little while now.  I am looking forward to incorporating the thoughts and ideas explored in this book along with the things expressed in the 100 Day Reality Challenge.  I will add in some innovative quotes and merge it with own incites I have found.   

Such a thriving point in my life - I get to read, learn, explore and create.  Plus, I am not even on this 100 Day Reality Challenge alone.  I get to share in this journey with a dear friend. 

What I have found to be even more encouraging during these past four days is that everyone I have told about my reality challenge has been overly supportive!  It's great knowing that I am working towards surrounding myself with people who not only care about me, but are willing to listen to my happiness goals.  If anything, it is giving them a new look on their own life. 

"There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy."  ----Robert Louis Stevenson

Bring It

We have all been there...it's January 1st and now what?  Do I make a list of resolutions?  Do I even care enough to change what I was doing last year?  It may be almost at the end of the month but I am still defining my resolutions...or rather how I want to create an even better 2012. My obsession this week is focusing in my resolutions and the current book series I am addicted to (I have fallen into the arena...I have been sucked into the Hunger Games)

Here's what I have so far:
1. Read 12 books of varying genres, I figure there are 12 months in a year and it's 2012...time to step it up a notch. Who knows maybe I can even get to 15!  And the book that I am currently devouring is "Catching Fire", book 2 of the Hunger Games series which is brilliantly written by Suzanne Collins.   
2. I am going to stop accepting situations in my life that I am unhappy with - if I want to change something, then I am going to start taking actions to change it.  (a little vague, I know...)
3. Work on really and truly stretching myself to Give Back - I have not yet read (but it's on my list): "Start Something that Matters" written by Blake Mycoskie, creator and founder of Toms - a wonderful one-for-one business program that allows for you to not only buy awesome shoes (and other items) but then give a pair to a child in need. 

I love the blog of "Start Something that Matters" that highlights other programs with a Give Back motto and also highlights the wisdom of Blake Mycoskie.  I have never met him, but think he is simply fantastic!  He seems to have such a rockin' cool soul.  (Plus, one of his entries on his blog offers some great idea for books to read!  It helped to inspire me reading 12 this year.) 

4. Grow closer in my faith.  There are always new things I can learn and new avenues to be explored.  Plus, continuing to improve my relationship with Christ is a win-win.  I am also going to look more closely into the life of a saint.  This year it's Saint Thomas of Villanova and I will try to gain future insight into the virtue of humility. 

 

5. Keep my mind & body stimulated - this is an extension of my reading goal...and adding on healthy living.  It's important to exercise to stay fit but to exercise your mind too so that it stays focused.  I will try to do more puzzles and word searches.  It may sounds simple but even that is a big help to keep your mind active.  I want to incorporate more foreign and/or independent films that require more thought to process.  As much as I love Romantic Comedies, it is also important to put value into other avenues of Film making. This also goes with keeping my creative juices flowing.  I will do better to have more blog entries as well as work more on actually completing the One-Act plays I have started.  It's as if the characters' stories have been put on pause and they are desperately waiting to have it completed.  

Alright 2012, you may have started off rocky - but you will finish strong! Bring it!

Dream Destination

It's time for another "Dream Destination"...

Location: India

Reason: India seems to be a magical place of history, beauty and profound sense of peace. I have been reading "Eat. Pray. Love." and feel the need to explore my inner self and India seems the perfect place to do it.

Appeal: It's a country that has beauty. The Taj Mahal is exquisite! India also believes in mediation and self-awareness. I need some of that.

Here are some pictures to accompany me on my journey:

He's Just NOT That Into You

So...I have jumped on the bandwagon and just finished, "He Just Not That Into You" - the new extended edition...and I LOVED IT!

I found it to be witty, blunt, honest, encouraging, fun, and ...after I was done, I felt like a whole new single woman. Thank you Greg! Thank you Liz!

This book has inspired me to NEVER settle for less then the VERY best guy I deserve. I need to "not waste the pretty" - as Greg says.

This book has pushed me to work on my inner goddess and realize that any guy who wants to be with me will take the time to show me that everyday!

Tiffany's

I am reading a book called "Sundays at Tiffany's"...which got me to thinking about the appeal of Tiffany's...

We all know and love the Tiffany&Co. turquoise box with the classic white ribbon...


And who could forget the movie starring Audrey Hepburn...




I am now enjoying the book "Sundays at Tiffanys"...




Oh how I long to walk in NYC and see the beautiful displays at Tiffany&Co.

Rediscovered Love

I have been reading ever since I can remember and yet I am rediscovering my love for the written word. I think it is because reading books for school is one thing and it is completely different to read a book on your own time. It is a shame how the youth of today is pushing books aside to play video games or watch TV. I almost feel reconnected to my youth in a way when I am reading. I also feel energized after I finish a great book - a new part of myself has been opened and explored.

It still amazes me how many wonderful books I have not read or even have heard of yet. So many characters to connect to, so many adventures to go on and still so many stories to experience. I want to encourage you to get a book and curl up in bed and read instead of watching TV this afternoon or tonight. Have a "date" with a great story tonight instead of your TV. Trust me, you will have fun...even more fun then if you were watching TV. I just read The Time Traveler's Wife, which I blogged about earlier - "What If Time Stopped?" and now I am reading "Ella Minnow Pea" which is turning out to be witty, charming and fun! Next on my list is Steve Martin's "Shopgirl."

Hope you find some time to rediscover your love for books or if you already have a love for books, then I am so happy to share this love with you!

What If Time Stopped?

I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and am completely consumed by this love story. I am aware that there are classic love stories everywhere and these stories grace us with their presence day in and day out. It seems to me like this story should be a part of daily conversation just like Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. I should easily be able to make a comment about Henry & Clare and anyone on the street should be able to reply back with, "Oh yes, I simply adore them." Well...in fact this did happen recently. My manager persuaded me the other day to read this book because it is one of her favorites and now I can see why. Yesterday, I brought it with me to work and she noticed that I had gotten pretty far into the story since I had last saw her. I mentioned where I was in the story and she said, "I love them." So, you see, to her and I (only recently) Henry & Clare are two people that are apart of our world.

Henry and Clare are caught tragically, but ever so romantically, in the space of time. Time is not only the reason for how they meet but it is the very reason of their existence together. All great love stories revolve around a simple idea: be in the right place at the right time. In The Time Traveler's Wife, it is Time itself that makes it so they meet. The idea that Time lives, breathes, exists on its own accord is what keeps this story living & breathing right now. I always feel like the little boy in the movie The Neverending Story whenever I read a great book. I imagine myself reading the book with a blanket around me (just like the little boy in the movie) and as I continue reading, the characters continue living. It seems silly, but to me it is the best part of reading.

I have posed the above question, "What if Time stopped"...and I ask it to you now. I personally, as I am sure everyone does, wish I could stop time in moments where I am extremely happy and nothing is bothering me. I want to relish in these moments and spend hours enjoying them... but alas I am only human and have only so many hours to my day - 24 to be exact. But does that stop me from wishing...no. It shouldn't stop you either. So if you want a break from your day-to-day and a taste of a life unlike your own, read this book. It is magical in that it does take you away from your daily routine and cause you to think about how you would handle the situation if you were Clare...or Henry.

I just wanted to post about this book so that I could share it with someone who has not yet read it. So...please take a risk and see if the story of Henry & Clare moves your heart too.