You've probably seen several lists circulating about how to be happier in 2014. Ma and I came up with our own version.
From us to you, how to be happier in 2014.
1. Spend more time outside. About two months ago I told the Ma that she and I were going to take a mid-morning walk every day. She thought it was an excellent idea as it would contribute to our happiness and emotional stability. We haven't taken a single mid-morning walk but still believe firmly we would both be happier if we did.
2. Try something new. Ma has decided that 2014 will be a year of new things. On the first new day of the year, she tried sitting in a different place in the movie theater rather than her usual favorite spot. When visiting the library, she parked on the side of the parking lot opposite to where she usually parks. Be brave. There's a world of possibilities before you.
3. Spend time with your local stamp dealer. Ma loves stamps. We visited our stamp dealer yesterday. Ma, having spent quite some time away from her dealer, was positively giddy and came away with several sheets of stamps.
4. Use a four or five star word at least once a day. For example, Ma used the word treacherous. I congratulated her and she threw me a gleeful smile. She knew how awesome the word was and it made her happy. It made her even happier that I recognized her four star word for what it was. Another time Ma used the word rigamarole, a high flying, five star word. She then had to say the word two more times because she enjoyed using it so much. It should be noted that while using the word correctly is encouraged, it is certainly not required.
5. Do more baking. Baking = happiness.
6. Dance. We're big dancers at our house. And by that I mean I'm a big dancer. I dance in the shower, I dance while I'm eating a snack in the kitchen, I dance during my lunch break. Doesn't matter if there's music. Just dance.
7. Visit your local library. It smells amazing and the colors are pretty. If you don't know where to start, ask the children's librarians about their favorite picture books. You may want to throw in a comment about how much your nephew likes books so it appears you are doing research. Then read. Unless the idea of reading is too intimidating this early in the year; in that case, feel free to begin with simply looking at the pictures. If you're up to it, try checking a book out. One with chapters would be ideal. Reading the checked out book is not necessary.
8. Think about meditating but instead watch the part in Eat, Pray, Love where Julia Roberts is trying to meditate and then laugh.
9. Give out points for finishing things. In our house we give out points for finishing items of food. You finish the gallon of milk? You get a point. You finish the last baked potato from three nights ago? You get a point. You eat the last cookie? You get a point. The points are meaningless. They also rest from day to day. Yesterday I had two points. Today I have zero. My point value for all time is lots and lots.
10. And finally, choose to be happy. Ma is a big believer in choosing to be happy. It's difficult to think of how you can just choose to be happy. As children, if we ever had something negative to say about the day or an experience we had, Ma would tell us that we had to say at least three good things about what we much preferred to say negative things about. She was teaching us to choose to see the good things about our experiences, rather than the bad. I suggest it as a good place to start.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
What I Did in 2013
I read 65 books.
I completed Nanowrimo.
I wrote halves of two other books.
I drastically reduced the size of my wardrobe. I still have too many clothes.
I distributed clothes I didn't wear anymore among my sisters. The clothes I gave away look much better on them than they ever did on me. I love it.
I dreamed and planned and talked of sewing my own clothes but didn't make a single thing.
There was a dearth of baked deliciousness. For reasons unknown I did very little treat making.
I filled up a journal and half-filled another one.
I got skinnier without really trying. Not knowing exactly what I weighed at the beginning of the year and having no idea what I weigh now, I can't quantify the difference. I can say that my clothes fit funny but I'm doing my absolute best to make them work. I do not like pants shopping.
I took an article of clothing to the tailor for the first time ever. I'm a fan of tailors.
I reduced my spending by focusing on necessities rather than wants.
Just as I was considering easing up on my year of no spending, my parents began their own year of no spending. Together, we're doing very little money spending. Ma has taken to keeping boxes of crackers in her car so she's not tempted to stop for a snack while out and about. I'm super proud of her.
I worked on mastering the art of singing. I still have a long way to go but can now with hardly a thought talk up in my face instead of down in my throat. Trust me—that means progress.
I played with each of my four new nephews, even the ones that live faraway. I'm seriously in love.
I worked a second job for the sole benefit of attending barre workout classes for free.
I taught myself how to make friendship bracelets. Don't ask me how I missed that pre-teen train but I can say with confidence that was not a part of my childhood.
I tried eating like a vegan for two months. It was delicious and not as hard as I thought it would be. I missed butter and baking with eggs like crazy. I also missed cheese. My mother believes the government shut down was the catalyst for my eating experiment. I don't know if she's right though her logic is sound.
I chopped off nearly a foot and a half of hair. I'm just beginning to have some length again and it is delightful.
I currently have the most adorable, short ponytail.
I was offered a temporary, 10-month position in Paris. I turned it down.
I tried three kinds of apples I'd never had before: Opal, Black Arkansas, and Pinata.
I nearly completed a patchwork quilt top. It's only missing a second border.
I kept my plant alive.
I purchased my first pair of skinny jeans. And then three more. None of them really fit anymore.
I visited
This is the fist time in half a dozen years that Iowa hasn't figured in my travels.
I gained friends and lost friends.
I picked up knitting again after 15 years. Fingerless gloves, half a pair of socks, and the beginnings of a blanket have been added to the hall of things Megan has knitted. Previously, the sole occupant was a scarf I knitted for my American girl doll at the age of 12.
I gave myself a Nook for my birthday. I travel too often and read too much to rely on physical books.
I did not make significant progress in French though I do think I am slightly better off than I was a year ago.
I ate more chocolate chocolate doughnuts, frozen yogurt, ice cream, and bags of chocolate chips and marshmallows than any one person should lay claim to. Just the thought of all that deliciousness makes my heart happy.
I worked on paying attention to my body and how it was feeling. It was all part of an effort to take better care of it. This led to several things:
I turned 27. It's encouraging to think I've come so far.
I completed Nanowrimo.
I wrote halves of two other books.
I drastically reduced the size of my wardrobe. I still have too many clothes.
I distributed clothes I didn't wear anymore among my sisters. The clothes I gave away look much better on them than they ever did on me. I love it.
I dreamed and planned and talked of sewing my own clothes but didn't make a single thing.
There was a dearth of baked deliciousness. For reasons unknown I did very little treat making.
I filled up a journal and half-filled another one.
I got skinnier without really trying. Not knowing exactly what I weighed at the beginning of the year and having no idea what I weigh now, I can't quantify the difference. I can say that my clothes fit funny but I'm doing my absolute best to make them work. I do not like pants shopping.
I took an article of clothing to the tailor for the first time ever. I'm a fan of tailors.
I reduced my spending by focusing on necessities rather than wants.
Just as I was considering easing up on my year of no spending, my parents began their own year of no spending. Together, we're doing very little money spending. Ma has taken to keeping boxes of crackers in her car so she's not tempted to stop for a snack while out and about. I'm super proud of her.
I worked on mastering the art of singing. I still have a long way to go but can now with hardly a thought talk up in my face instead of down in my throat. Trust me—that means progress.
I played with each of my four new nephews, even the ones that live faraway. I'm seriously in love.
I worked a second job for the sole benefit of attending barre workout classes for free.
I taught myself how to make friendship bracelets. Don't ask me how I missed that pre-teen train but I can say with confidence that was not a part of my childhood.
I tried eating like a vegan for two months. It was delicious and not as hard as I thought it would be. I missed butter and baking with eggs like crazy. I also missed cheese. My mother believes the government shut down was the catalyst for my eating experiment. I don't know if she's right though her logic is sound.
I chopped off nearly a foot and a half of hair. I'm just beginning to have some length again and it is delightful.
I currently have the most adorable, short ponytail.
I was offered a temporary, 10-month position in Paris. I turned it down.
I tried three kinds of apples I'd never had before: Opal, Black Arkansas, and Pinata.
I nearly completed a patchwork quilt top. It's only missing a second border.
I kept my plant alive.
I purchased my first pair of skinny jeans. And then three more. None of them really fit anymore.
I visited
- Las Vegas
- Upstate New York
- New York City
- Vermont
- Donner Lake
- Sacramento
- Portland
- Park City
- Grace, Idaho
- Grand Canyon
- Bryce Canyon
- Zion's
This is the fist time in half a dozen years that Iowa hasn't figured in my travels.
I gained friends and lost friends.
I picked up knitting again after 15 years. Fingerless gloves, half a pair of socks, and the beginnings of a blanket have been added to the hall of things Megan has knitted. Previously, the sole occupant was a scarf I knitted for my American girl doll at the age of 12.
I gave myself a Nook for my birthday. I travel too often and read too much to rely on physical books.
I did not make significant progress in French though I do think I am slightly better off than I was a year ago.
I ate more chocolate chocolate doughnuts, frozen yogurt, ice cream, and bags of chocolate chips and marshmallows than any one person should lay claim to. Just the thought of all that deliciousness makes my heart happy.
I worked on paying attention to my body and how it was feeling. It was all part of an effort to take better care of it. This led to several things:
- I can no longer overeat. If I do overeat, my body reacts violently and I have to concentrate hard on not being sick.
- I'm still running. I don't push my body to go farther or faster than it is capable of. Because of this, I no longer despise running like I used to. When I like running better, then I can push myself.
- I don't worry about an exercise schedule. I exercise when I feel up to it. I don't when I don't.
- I discovered I'm the biggest stress ball that ever there was. My parents and siblings also live their lives as stress balls. We are a family of stress balls.
- I also discovered that I am very, very bad at relaxing. I knew this, but I didn't realize I was as bad as I am. I am working on it. I often stop, take a big breath, smile in an I'm trying to relax sort of way, and then carry on with less stress and muscle clenching.
- I've gone through bottles and bottles of lotion. My skin is happier. I am not. Boo to slimy lotion.
- I started washing my face with honey in the morning and olive oil at night. It's super weird but I love it. My face has never been so moisturized.
I turned 27. It's encouraging to think I've come so far.
December Books
I began the month by reading A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra. It was one of the best written books I've read this year. It was also heart-rending. I loved the idea that our lives are in large measure what people all around us, that we know and that we will never know, do. Each moment is a constellation of future and past events and therein lies the true beauty of living.
Next I read Tinkers by Paul Harding. It was also well done but I didn't love it like I thought I would. It was interesting and it won the Pulitzer a few years back, a good reason in itself to read it.
The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis was one of my favorite books as a child. I love the Chronicles of Narnia but The Horse and His Boy was my clear favorite and I read it over and over again. It was delightful to take a step back into childhood.
Next was Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin by Jill Lepore. I used this book to put my mother to sleep on our drive to Portland. it was amazing how quickly she was out. I found the content interesting. The prose was a little difficult for me to get through. I suspect the author is much more experienced in presenting material than writing about it. I also had hoped there would be a greater analysis of the actual letters and their content rather than a study of the differences between Jane's and Franklin's lives.
I read the first two book sin the Inkheart trilogy years ago. I decided it was time I read Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke. Also, it was sitting on my shelf and I am trying to move through all the books on my shelves that I haven't read yet. I remember that I really like the first one. I think the third one was better than the second, but I hardly remember the second book at all so that might not be accurate. As a child I would have found the entire trilogy magical and would have loved every minute of it.
And finally, I read The Hobbit or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien. I saw the second movie in theaters and I couldn't believe my eyes. Either my memory was far worse than I suspected it was, or the movie makers took a lot of liberties. I discovered, much to my satisfaction, that it was latter. I'm not upset by this. They are doing a great job with the movies and it's likely a movie made to follow the book exactly would be quite boring. The book has exciting parts but mostly it's traveling and talking. That being said, I would have liked to see The Hobbit made into one, really well done movie.
Next I read Tinkers by Paul Harding. It was also well done but I didn't love it like I thought I would. It was interesting and it won the Pulitzer a few years back, a good reason in itself to read it.
The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis was one of my favorite books as a child. I love the Chronicles of Narnia but The Horse and His Boy was my clear favorite and I read it over and over again. It was delightful to take a step back into childhood.
Next was Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin by Jill Lepore. I used this book to put my mother to sleep on our drive to Portland. it was amazing how quickly she was out. I found the content interesting. The prose was a little difficult for me to get through. I suspect the author is much more experienced in presenting material than writing about it. I also had hoped there would be a greater analysis of the actual letters and their content rather than a study of the differences between Jane's and Franklin's lives.
I read the first two book sin the Inkheart trilogy years ago. I decided it was time I read Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke. Also, it was sitting on my shelf and I am trying to move through all the books on my shelves that I haven't read yet. I remember that I really like the first one. I think the third one was better than the second, but I hardly remember the second book at all so that might not be accurate. As a child I would have found the entire trilogy magical and would have loved every minute of it.
And finally, I read The Hobbit or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien. I saw the second movie in theaters and I couldn't believe my eyes. Either my memory was far worse than I suspected it was, or the movie makers took a lot of liberties. I discovered, much to my satisfaction, that it was latter. I'm not upset by this. They are doing a great job with the movies and it's likely a movie made to follow the book exactly would be quite boring. The book has exciting parts but mostly it's traveling and talking. That being said, I would have liked to see The Hobbit made into one, really well done movie.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Saturday Morning
Saturday I spent the entire morning in bed. I ignored the world and everything in it until early afternoon.
I was reading.
Once upon a time I used to spend many a leisurely Saturday morning in such a fashion. Then I grew up.
I have come to a determination. It is high time to grown back down again.
In honor of this determination, I've painted my fingernails blue.
There was a beautiful bottle of blue nail polish in my stocking along with the usual stuffers. Ma's stocking included a bottle of beautiful brown. Even Santa knows I need to grow back down again.
I feel deliciously happy each time I see my new, blue polish, even when I've only just caught a hint of it out of the corner of my eye. Since I see my fingernails quite a lot in the course of a regular day, I've spent most of the past two days feeling deliciously happy.
This is why the world is full of colors. Colors = happiness.
I feel quite pleased with the progress I've made growing down. To ensure no backsliding into adulthood I believe I must spend the coming Saturday morning lost in a book.
Yes, I think that would be just the thing.
I was reading.
Once upon a time I used to spend many a leisurely Saturday morning in such a fashion. Then I grew up.
I have come to a determination. It is high time to grown back down again.
In honor of this determination, I've painted my fingernails blue.
There was a beautiful bottle of blue nail polish in my stocking along with the usual stuffers. Ma's stocking included a bottle of beautiful brown. Even Santa knows I need to grow back down again.
I feel deliciously happy each time I see my new, blue polish, even when I've only just caught a hint of it out of the corner of my eye. Since I see my fingernails quite a lot in the course of a regular day, I've spent most of the past two days feeling deliciously happy.
This is why the world is full of colors. Colors = happiness.
I feel quite pleased with the progress I've made growing down. To ensure no backsliding into adulthood I believe I must spend the coming Saturday morning lost in a book.
Yes, I think that would be just the thing.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Christmas
What did you get for Christmas?
I got a pot. I purple, cast iron, enameled pot. My mother picked it out for me and I love it. It's frivolous enough that I wouldn't have gotten it for myself, but it's purposeful enough that I'll be able to use it for years to come. In no time at all I will be a maestro with enameled, cast iron pots. Particularly the purple ones.
I also got a calendar from my brother's family. It's beautiful. Prettier than I knew a calendar could be.
Other than that there were only the basic things in the stocking. The peanuts and orange, the toothbrush and nail clippers. A simple Christmas with nothing more than what I can love.
Oh. And I gave myself a book. It is important to have new reading material on Christmas day because there's nothing better on Christmas than curling up with a blanket next to the fireplace and reading a new book while you sip wassail.
I didn't read my book yesterday. I was too busy with family and food to bother with reading, a Christmas first. That says better than I can how perfect a Christmas it was. I felt loved and spent time with the people I love. There's nothing better than that.
I got a pot. I purple, cast iron, enameled pot. My mother picked it out for me and I love it. It's frivolous enough that I wouldn't have gotten it for myself, but it's purposeful enough that I'll be able to use it for years to come. In no time at all I will be a maestro with enameled, cast iron pots. Particularly the purple ones.
I also got a calendar from my brother's family. It's beautiful. Prettier than I knew a calendar could be.
Other than that there were only the basic things in the stocking. The peanuts and orange, the toothbrush and nail clippers. A simple Christmas with nothing more than what I can love.
Oh. And I gave myself a book. It is important to have new reading material on Christmas day because there's nothing better on Christmas than curling up with a blanket next to the fireplace and reading a new book while you sip wassail.
I didn't read my book yesterday. I was too busy with family and food to bother with reading, a Christmas first. That says better than I can how perfect a Christmas it was. I felt loved and spent time with the people I love. There's nothing better than that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)