positive psychology

Yesterday I learned a great deal in my positive psychology class. I love implementing what I learn. I've already seen an improvement in my outlook. **These concepts, coupled with faith and prayer have really changed my life. I am happy, and I love it. Here's what I learned:

Happiness.

A mere 10% of total happiness is due to circumstances.

A whopping 50% is from our genes.

What's left, 40%, is what we can change.

Even that 50% is not set in stone. We all have a "happiness" set point that we revert to even when things are going great or when things are seemingly bad. Most people blame their unhappiness on the things that are going on around them. Studies have shown that only 10% of our happiness comes from our current situation! That's not a lot.

So.... we really have no excuse.

Here's a story about a guy that won the lottery. He won 135 million dollars. He gave money to his grand-daughter every week starting when she was 16 years old, and bought her 4 cars. She became a crack-addict, ran away from home, and died. The man (Jack) was in a monogamous relationship with his wife for several years and after he won the lottery, they got divorced. When asked if he wished he'd never won the lottery, he said YES.

People think that even a little money will solve their problems, but it's never enough. If it's not money, it's something else that costs money. We live in a world that values destinations and not journeys. Problem is, no one ever really "arrives."

We all know that money does not equal long-term happiness. I think we've heard that a billion times. So what does equal happiness? YOU decide, and YOU can change it.

**If you think this is about you, it is. It's for everyone, including me. If you feel it's directed at you, I won't deny it. It is. We're all on this journey together. Think positively. "Don't worry, be happy."

anywhere is

By Enya

I walk the maze of moments
but everywhere I turn to begins a new beginning
but never finds a finish.
I walk to the horizon
and there I find another,
it all seems so surprising
and then I find that I know:

Chorus:
You go there you're gone forever,
I go there I'll lose my way.
If we stay here we're not together
Anywhere is....

The moon upon the ocean
is swept around in motion,
but without ever knowing
the reason for its flowing,
in motion on the ocean.
The moon still keeps on moving.
The waves still keep on waving,
and I still keep on going.


I wonder if the stars sign
the life that is to be mine.
And would they let their light shine
enough for me to follow?
I look up to the heavens
but night has clouded over.
No spark of constellation,
no Vela no Orion.

The shells upon the warm sands
have taken from their own lands
the echo of their story
but all I hear are low sounds.
As pillow words are weaving,
and willow waves are leaving.
But should I be believing
that I am only dreaming?


To leave the thread of all time
and let it make a dark line
in hopes that I can still find
the way back to the moment.
I took the turn and turned to
begin a new beginning.
Still looking for the answer
I cannot find the finish.
It's either this or that way.
It's one way or the other.
It should be one direction.
It could be on reflection.

The turn I have just taken,
The turn that I was making.
I might be just beginning,
I might be near the end.

what's in a name?

Oh my goodness, in my math class, the other students in my class have the WIERDEST names!!! Here are just a FEW!
*Pear
*Thyme (or Time)
*Kierla
*Ephraim (not uncommon for around here, but still a different name)
*Mandolin
*Phyllis (a YOUNG person!)
*Cherard (not Gerard, cher-ard)

I was holding back the laughter when we did intros on the first day. I wrote some of the names down and I forgot to blog about it till now. Crazy, right?

I don't want to grow up

I am a child. Perhaps not as literally, but metaphorically, I am, in every way.

*Travis and I have such a child-like love for each other. It is pure, it is simple. We forgive and forget easily. We are silly together and have fun names for each other. (Sorry for the word use Rachel, but I am using it in the context of a child).

*Sometimes I throw a tantrum, but I take a time out for myself. Usually I'm good after 23 minutes. (A minute for every year of my age).

*I like to play house. I enjoy putting on my little apron and doing the dishes.

*I also like to play teacher. Funny thing is, I actually AM a teacher now. I'm still pretending. :)

*I light up like a Christmas Tree at about almost everything. I get extremely excited for the smallest things.

*I cry over a pickle, or spilled milk.

*I get separation anxiety when Travis and I go our different ways for work.

*I am ecstatic when Travis comes home from work, and I always want him to pick me up and give me a hug.

*I have the faith of a child. I know things will work out, even when times get tough. I follow the spirit even when I don't know the outcome.

*I pray about everything. If I can't find something, I pray. My prayers are also very simple.

*My responsibilities are few. At least that's what I think. My friends think I'm crazy.

*I like to play with my friends.

Most everyone says that I need to grow up. In fact, I used to have a problem with my age. People never took me seriously and many negative comments were made towards me that I didn't have enough world experience.

Does having world experience somehow make me an "adult?" I think not. I have truly lived my life and experienced wonderful things before marriage and now during. I'm still a child.

Does paying bills and getting a job and being responsible make me an adult? Perhaps, but it only brings stress. Why stress, why worry? I'm still not done with school and I have no regrets. I have enjoyed my life while taking a few classes at a time. I didn't rush through school in 4 years because I wanted to love my life, and I do. President Hinckley said, "In all living, have much laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." I have a very simple child-like life, and I am happy. I don't need to grow up, and I won't.

pickle

I woke up yesterday morning a half hour before I usually do, to take my time getting ready, eat breakfast and not be rushed. I got into my car (pre-warmed, nice and toasty) and tryed to back out of my driveway. Because of how our neighbors park, it makes for an interesting task, especially when Travis' car is parked behind me. I tried about 14 times to back out, and after getting frustrated, I honked my horn and called for Travis to come out and help me. (Now I was gonna be late, and that was my whole point of waking up early!)

I was too impatient to wait for him and tried again. (BAD IDEA). I got too close to the little brick wall near our house and crunch. Oh crap! (I actually said something else). :( I knocked over the bricks and scratched up the front right side of my car pretty bad. I was instant waterworks and literally threw a tantrum better/worse than a 2-year old. I felt so stupid! If I could have just waited literally 30 seconds, Travis would have been outside. In fact, he was walking to the door to come outside right as I hit the bricks... so 5 seconds! Just goes to show how completely impatient I am. I just wanted to do it myself and get to school!

Well, it was hard to have a good day after that, first thing in the morning. I tried to be positive, and actually, i interpret a class in which they discuss positivity and the effects it can have. The teacher asked, "Sometimes things seem negative, but can really have a positive impact." I was thinking, "Psshhh, yeah right, nothing positive can come of this!" Well, so far, nothing has, especially if I keep thinking that way. I tried to keep my head up, though.

During the week, I hardly have time to eat lunch. Most days, I don't eat lunch unless there is a student cancellation. Yesterday there wasn't, BUT, one class got out early, and I had 10 minutes to buy and eat something. I hate eating at school, but I had to do it, otherwise I'd pass out! I hesitantly bought a pre-made sandwich. I took my first bite and... HEAVEN! I knew the taste as soon as I bit into it. A PICKLE. No one puts pickles in sandwiches, do they? I always do, because I am obsessed with pickles. I eat them straight from the jar, and every single day. It was such a blessing. I felt like crying, I was so happy. Seriously, a pre-paid sandwich with a pickle? I have never eaten a pre-assembled sandwich with one in it, but I was sooo grateful! And they were huge, plentiful slices. I ate the entire sandwich, enjoying each picklicious bite. The remainder of the day was great. My morning was rough, but not after that sandwich.

That is how a pickle changed my entire day.

great minds think alike

Today I went to Target and as I was wandering the aisles, I heard an exclamation, "Oh...my... gosh," I knew who it was before even looking. It was Rachel. We didn't even plan to meet there. Not only did we bump into each other at Target, but we were there for the same purpose; to buy a yoga mat. We are all too similar, and I love it! I can't think of anyone else that I'd want to be more like. We sat and chatted over pizza and an icee. I love being in good company!

So the plan for tonight? Yoga, and afterward, the Bachelor. Hey, we're not THAT pathetic... we are doing yoga first.