Hello 2017! Can't believe it's already January 1st! Still, I want to start an entry with something that we all wish for every year - HAPPINESS.♥
I was given a book before called 'The Happiness Code' by Domonique Bertolucci. I don't know why I have a lot of books about happiness, but I do know that it's my favorite word. We all strive for happiness and sometimes we tend to look for it in different places and in different people. But truly, happiness comes only from one thing and that's what I read about in The Happiness Code.
I'd like to share with you some quotes from the book and what I personally feel or learned from it. :)
Like in all things, it begins with a choice. Happiness will never happen in our lives unless we want it, we claim it. It begins with us making the choice that we want to be happy. It all starts with you and being happy with the person you have chosen to be. Believe in yourself and let go of expectations that will lead to stress, frustration and anxiety. You have to make the decision to be a person with purpose, fulfillment and optimism in your life.
Of course, to live this life, you must know the kind of values you have, how important they are to you and living the life you really want to live.
"Happiness is a state of being, not a state of having. It isn't something you get when you tick off items on a list." - D.B.
We tend to think that being in 100% control is the road to happiness, but actually it's not. More often than not, the things that happen to us are out of our control and not realizing that makes us cranky, go in a fit of rage, disappointment comes crashing down and invite a lot of distress in our lives.
To live in a life of content and joy, is not to be too controlling and just do your best. For example, if there's an event that you're excited for and it's far away... make sure that you leave early, so that you'll get there on time and enjoy. That way, in case there's a broken train or traffic (those things beyond your control), you can still do something about it.
Learn to let go and accept.
"The best way to get what you want from a situation is to have clarity about the outcome you want to achieve."- D.B.
Lingering in the past is something we're all guilty of. I, too, tend to give myself a hard beating whenever I get stuck in the past and question myself over and over again on why I made those bad choices. But they really don't matter anymore, because this is who I am now and there's no turning back, unless someone already invented a time machine. We can't live in past, because that can block our present happiness. It turns the focus away from it and we tend to lose the appreciation for the good things we have now.
We need to learn to forgive our past selves and accept the mistakes. Even if it was such a horrible experience, it doesn't define the person you are today. Every single day is a gift to be a better person. :)
Same thing with your future- It's a pleasure thinking and planning for the future, but don't over plan or get too focused on it. We keep wanting more and more and we get too fixated on reaching those things in the future that we rush and forget the good life we already have. Don't let it stop you from enjoying life NOW.
"Look for the joy in each and every day. Just because it isn't immediately obvious, that doesn't mean it's not there."- D.B.
I'm not a morning person and that's a fact. We all dread something in each day and sometimes that consumes our entire day and we are no longer happy. We just want it to end. But isn't it just the beginning of the day? The fuel to our day is all about how we start it. Do we expect it to be amazing or do we expect all the worst things that can possibly happen?
Why not start it by not expecting too much? Being a worry wart doesn't change anything. It only adds to the agony. We should focus on what we can do to make things great!
I know that there are times things turn sour and when they do, I always try to see the light. I believe I'm an optimist and this is already a start to making me feel better. If I failed in a certain project or challenge, I just give myself time to cry over it. Don't deny your emotions. But after that, I shrug it off eventually and tell myself that this will be a learning experience and there will be other opportunities ahead. It may not come in a snap, but I firmly believe in chances. :)
"Expect the best from yourself and your life."
"Remember, however bad things might be right now, this moment will pass and your life will continue to be a good one."-D.B.
Generosity is synonymous to happiness for me. Whenever I give the poor man near our school some food and he says "Maraming salamat po... God bless!" It instantly warms up my heart. It feels rewarding even if he didn't give me anything in return.
Being generous is not always about the amount of gifts you give or the money you take out of your wallet. Generosity can be found in the little acts of kindness, like taking time to listen to the story your grandparents told you nth times, surprising a friend with a visit when they're sad, cooking dinner for the whole family when they're tired from the long day or taking your time off from work to attend your kids program in school. Those simple acts can hold more dear to someone than money ever could. :)
Lastly, if you want to be the best you can be.. to be truly happy, don't judge anyone. Everyone is fighting a hard battle and you just might not see it on the outside. Be kind.
"Everyone has a different journey in life. Don't Judge someone else for theirs."- D.B.
There are so much more key to happiness that you can learn from the book. But for now, the ones I wrote above are what I picked up. :)
"The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it's all that matters."
Been in the blogosphere for a decade and I love writing about fashion, beauty, motherhood, the arts and more. This is where you'll find things that make me happy. :)
For comments, questions, & sponsorships
Email me at: avesbabii@yahoo.com or artsy_ava@yahoo.com
♥
recent posts
All photos/materials ⓒ 2020 Ava Te-Zabat unless otherwise specified. Please do not use them without acknowledgement or permission. Thank you.
1 comments♥
This post is beaming with positivity. Needed this! <3 Happy New Year, babe! To an amazing 2017 for us and our loved ones :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for reading my blog and for leaving lovely comments. Will also try my best to drop by your blogs!:) xo