Secrets to Happiness

::Don’t hate. Don’t worry. Give more. Expect less. Live simply::

::Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out::

::When you appreciate what you have, what you have appreciates in value::

::Never try to be better than anyone else, but never stop trying to be the best you can be::

::You cannot change what you refuse to confront::

::What you do every day matters more than what you do every once in a while::

::When you stop chasing the wrong things, you give the right things a chance to catch you::

::Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness::

::Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it::

::For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness::

::Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you::

::Never let success get to your head ; never let failure get to your heart::

::Don’t wait for people to smile – show them how::

::Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly::

::You never have to deal with more than one moment at a time::

::You’ll end up regretting the things you didn’t do far more than the things you did::

White Girls … Take Note

Now, I do realize that a) this girl is white herself , and b) she has eyes like a Disney character & the mouth of a sailor , but she has a HUGE point ;; I can’t even tell ya how TRUE this entire video is … its hilarious , but sad …

Facing Fear

 

Was watching this week’s episode of the bachelor , and found this quote to be absolutely true …

“theres no way that im giving up, im facing my fears and moving forward. it sounds cheesey but thats kind of how it is with relationships .. you are scared of all the damage that heartbreak causes, but you have to keep moving forward or you don’t get to experience all the great things another person has to offer you.”

So Precious…

Read this teeny tiny love story on another blog , I just had to share it . THIS is what relationships today so frequently lack .. a little bit of generosity mixed with kindness & selflessness . Take Note .

 

“Today, I was driving home with my grandfather when he suddenly made a u-turn and said, “I forgot to get your grandmother a bouquet of flowers. I’ll pick up one from the florist at the corner down here. It’ll only take a second.” “What’s so special about today that you have to buy her flowers?” I asked. “There’s nothing specifically special about today,” my grandfather said. “Every day is special. Your grandmother loves flowers. They put a smile on her face.“

When is the last time you did something kind for someone you care about, just because?

It’s Coming!

Where in the world did 2011 go ?! This year has been absolutely CRAZY – I graduated from college, had my first internship, up and left my friends and family for a new job in a new state – Although it’s been a crazy one … it has certainly been the BEST one!

I’m very much looking forward to Christmas! I hate the cold weather but the season is one of the greatest times of the year.

Here are some of my favorite (some old, some new) Christmas songs this year … enjoy

 

Justin Bieber & Boyz II Men – Fa La La La

Committed – Joy To The World (Acapella)

Alicia Keys – O Holy Night

Kelly Clarkson – Grown Up Christmas List

What If….

One day, a woman’s husband died.

On that clear, cold, morning, in the warmth of their bedroom,

 the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isnt “anymore.”

No more hugs..

no more special moments to celebrate together..

 no more phone calls just to chat..

and no more “just one minute.”

Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away,

never to return before we can say goodbye, or “I love you.”

So, while we have it, it’s best we love it, care for it, fix it when it’s broken and heal it when it’s sick.

This is true for marriage… & old cars… & children with bad report cards… & dogs with bad hips.. & aging parents and grandparents.

We keep them BECAUSE they are worth it;  because we are worth it.

Some things we keep — like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce.

There are just SOME things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is IMPORTANT, like people we know who are special..

And so, we keep them close!

Send this message to all those people who are “keepers” in your life.

Suppose one morning you never wake up; do all  your friends know you love them?

Let every one of your friends know you love them,

even if you think they don’t love you back.

And just in case I’m gone tomorrow: I LOVE YOU!!

Live today because tomorrow is not promised.

 

Remembering September 11, 2001

Can you believe it has been 10 years already? Seems hard to believe….time goes by so quickly. I even remember where I was that day when I heard the news, as well as who told me.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite video clips that I think are relevant to this anniverary. Just take a minute out of your busy day to watch them..

this first video features the song ‘Imagine,’ as it was sung on an episode of Glee . The cast of the Glee club sees one of the competiting teams, who happens to consist of deaf / hard of hearing students. Its one of my favorite videos/songs, and seeing the two teams come together to sing/sign it is beautiful. Of course, the words are amazing, especially at a time when we are all reflecting upon the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. Just watch & listen….

In regards to September 11, we will never forget the victims of this tragedy, their families, and the brave men and women who lost their lives trying to rescue others. There is one other group of heroes who played a big role…. the search and rescue dogs of 9/11. (photos via NY times)

A lot of dogs served without understanding why.  Many of these dogs have long since passed due to complications from being at the various locations in which they worked. After watching these videos and reading about lives saved / people identified in this tragedy, I can’t help but be saddened by the number of strays & mistreated dogs in the world today. These dogs didn’t turn down the opportunity to rescue people on Sept. 11 and the surrounding days, yet so many times we pass up the opportunity to give a dog a home, whether we look at them through the window of pet stores & carry on with our day, change the channel during ASPCA commercials, or refrain from caring for any strays because “someone else will do it.” Just something to think about. These videos are very much worth watching…

MEN… Gotta Love ‘Em

*Men are like laxatives …. they irritate the crap out of you*

*Men are like weather …. nothing can be done to change them*

*Men are like chocolate bars …. sweet , smooth  & they usually head straight for your hips*

*Men are like commercials …. you can’t believe a word they say*

*Men are like department stores …. their clothes are always 1/2 off*

*Men are like government bonds …. they take SOOOO long to mature*

*Men are like mascara …. most run at the first sign of emotion*

*Men are like popcorn …. they satisfy you but only for a little while*

*Men are like lava lamps …. fun to look at , but not very bright*

*Men are like parking spots …. all the good ones are taken & all the rest are handicapped*

Puzzlemaniaaaaa .

For as long as I can remember, I have totally loved puzzles. I used to do them with my grandma at her dining room table, and I got back into them this summer. A while ago, I saw a picture of someone who got a tiny little puzzle piece tattoo, and that image has stuck in my mind ever since. While I was sitting around putting together a bunch of Disney puzzles (don’t judge me), I thought a lot about how our lives our like puzzles.

I believe that each of our lives is like a puzzle, created by God. Unfortunately, we don’t get to cheat and look at a picture to see what the finished product is supposed to look like. Instead, we go through our lives trying to make all these random pieces fit. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don’t, no matter how hard you try to force them together.

I have been through a lot of things in my life, both good and bad. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt like the pieces of my life would NEVER fit together. Sometimes when doing puzzles, you find a piece that you think goes somewhere, but it doesn’t seem to fit. You twist it & turn it, and eventually it works! The same happens in our lives. Many times I start out thinking I know what I want, but it doesn’t work out that way. After changing things even a small amount and having a new perspective, the pieces start to come together.

I like to think that I’m at a point in my life where I’ve figured out what my pieces are. Of course, my life is not finished, but I’m able to identify the major components (pieces) that make me the person I am today. So, let me show you a little bit about MY puzzle & the 5 major pieces that make me. When I think about the most important aspects in my life, I can tell you that one piece is GOD. Another piece: FAMILY. Next, FRIENDSHIP. In college, I joined a SORORITY, which has led me to some amazing sisters with the same important values. Last but not least, one of my puzzle pieces belongs to my career. My absolute passion in this world is working with very young children with Autism. It is the most fulfilling thing I have in my life. Ironically, puzzle pieces represent Autism Awareness.

I hope that someday, I’ll be married & have a family of my own ; future puzzle pieces (:

what pieces make up YOUR puzzle?

12 Things to Always Remember

*Your presence is a present to the world*

*You’re unique and one of a kind*

*Your life can be what you want it to be*

*Take the days just one at a time*

*Count your blessings, not your troubles*

*You’ll make it through whatever comes along*

*Within you are so many answers*

*Understand, have courage, be strong*

*Realize that it is never too late*

*Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way*

*Have health and hope and happiness*

*Take the time to wish upon a star*

*And don’t ever forget, for even a day, how very special you are*