rants and ramblings

21 habits of happy people

“Happiness is a habit – cultivate it.” ~ Elbert Hubbard
Happiness is one aspiration all people share. No one wants to be sad and depressed.
We’ve all seen people who are always happy – even amidst agonizing life trials. I’m not saying happy people don’t feel grief, sorrow or sadness; they just don’t let it overtake their life. The following are 21 things happy people make a habit of doing:
1. Appreciate Life

Be thankful that you woke up alive each morning. Develop a childlike sense of wonder towards life. Focus on the beauty of every living thing. Make the most of each day. Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

2. Choose Friends Wisely

Surround yourself with happy, positive people who share your values and goals. Friends that have the same ethics as you will encourage you to achieve your dreams. They help you to feel good about yourself. They are there to lend a helping hand when needed.

3. Be Considerate

Accept others for who they are as well as where they are in life. Respect them for who they are. Touch them with a kind and generous spirit. Help when you are able, without trying to change the other person. Try to brighten the day of everyone you come into contact with.

4. Learn Continuously

Keep up to date with the latest news regarding your career and hobbies. Try new and daring things that has sparked your interest – such as dancing, skiing, surfing or sky-diving.

5. Creative Problem Solving

Don’t wallow in self-pity. As soon as you face a challenge get busy finding a solution. Don’t let the set backs affect your mood, instead see each new obstacle you face as an opportunity to make a positive change. Learn to trust your gut instincts – it’s almost always right.

6. Do What They Love

Some statistics show that 80% of people dislike their jobs! No wonder there’s so many unhappy people running around. We spend a great deal of our life working. Choose a career that you enjoy – the extra money of a job you detest isn’t worth it. Make time to enjoy your hobbies and pursue special interests.

7. Enjoy Life

Take the time to see the beauty around you. There’s more to life than work. Take time to smell the roses, watch a sunset or sunrise with a loved one, take a walk along the seashore, hike in the woods etc. Learn to live in the present moment and cherish it. Don’t live in the past or the future.

8. Laugh

Don’t take yourself – or life to seriously. You can find humor in just about any situation. Laugh at yourself – no one’s perfect. When appropriate laugh and make light of the circumstances. (Naturally there are times that you should be serious as it would be improper to laugh.)

9. Forgive

Holding a grudge will hurt no one but you. Forgive others for your own peace of mind. When you make a mistake – own up to it – learn from it – and FORGIVE yourself.

10. Gratitude

Develop an attitude of gratitude. Count your blessings; All of them – even the things that seem trivial. Be grateful for your home, your work and most importantly your family and friends. Take the time to tell them that you are happy they are in your life.

11. Invest in Relationships

Always make sure your loved ones know you love them even in times of conflict. Nurture and grow your relationships with your family and friends by making the time to spend with them. Don’t break your promises to them. Be supportive.

12. Keep Their Word

Honesty is the best policy. Every action and decision you make should be based on honesty. Be honest with yourself and with your loved ones.

13. Meditate

Meditation gives your very active brain a rest. When it’s rested you will have more energy and function at a higher level. Types of meditation include yoga, hypnosis, relaxation tapes, affirmations, visualization or just sitting in complete silence. Find something you enjoy and make the time to practice daily.

14. Mind Their Own Business

Concentrate on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family. Don’t get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying. Don’t get caught up with gossip or name calling. Don’t judge. Everyone has a right to live their own life the way they want to – including you.

15. Optimism

See the glass as half full. Find the positive side of any given situation. It’s there – even though it may be hard to find. Know that everything happens for a reason, even though you may never know what the reason is. Steer clear of negative thoughts. If a negative thought creeps in – replace it with a positive thought.

16. Love Unconditionally

Accept others for who they are. You don’t put limitations on your love. Even though you may not always like the actions of your loved ones – you continue to love them.

17. Persistence

Never give up. Face each new challenge with the attitude that it will bring you one step closer to your goal. You will never fail, as long as you never give up. Focus on what you want, learn the required skills, make a plan to succeed and take action. We are always happiest while pursuing something of value to us.

18. Be Proactive

Accept what can not be changed. Happy people don’t waste energy on circumstances beyond their control. Accept your limitations as a human being. Determine how you can take control by creating the outcome you desire – rather than waiting to respond.

19. Self Care

Take care of your mind, body and health. Get regular medical check ups. Eat healthy and work out. Get plenty of rest. Drink lots of water. Exercise your mind by continually energizing it with interesting and exciting challenges.

20. Self Confidence

Don’t try to be someone that you’re not. After all no one likes a phony. Determine who you are in the inside – your own personal likes and dislikes. Be confident in who you are. Do the best you can and don’t second guess yourself.

21. Take Responsibility

Happy people know and understand that they are 100% responsible for their life. They take responsibility for their moods, attitude, thoughts, feelings, actions and words. They are the first to admit when they’ve made a mistake.

Begin today by taking responsibility for your happiness. Work on developing these habits as you own. The more you incorporate the above habits into your daily lifestyle – the happier you will be.

Most of all: BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.

Labels: God is good, self-love

god is good

Whenever i feel dejected God comes to my rescue. Thank you Lord for not letting me fall..

that there are no wrongs that God cannot make right. So you've been hurt or maybe you hurt someone else. God can fix it. God may be nudging you this very moment to ask for forgiveness or be willing to forgive. Trust God, listen and act. There is no wrong that God cannot make right

Labels: God is good

madea advices

valuable lessons. watch and learn.

first date

finally, after several re-schedules,i had my first date with myself TODAY. yey! I never dated myself, i have never seen a movie or window shop on my own. I have been planning to do it for the past year. somehow, i got afraid going to the movies by myself-- thinking about what others would think. whenever i have to go to the mall to run an errand-- i do not usually stroll around. i go in, go where i'm supposed to go, get my stuff and head out the door.

so today, after so much cheering from my coach. i did it.

i saw the movie underworld 4: awakening at IMAX. I realized that watching by myself is not bad at all. I get to give my full attention to the movie without having to repeat the lines or explain scenes. It was quiet but it was a welcome silence. Thereafter, i got to have my dinner and went to my favorite crepe stall. I ordered chocolate temptation. it's crepe with huge amount of chocolate ice cream, brownies, almonds and chocolate syrup. I was thinking on eating it on my way to the terminal but i decided to take a seat and watch the people as i eat. It was also quiet.. but i was not in a rush. I wanted to take my time and enjoy myself.

When I'm done with my dinner, I decided to go to the department store and look for something to buy. The urge to buy something had to be controlled. good thing i did not want badly enough the shirt that i saw. then it was time to go home.

i felt sleepy since it's almost 8 in the evening. Would have been wonderful to walk around and get some two bottles at the sky garden... but i'm tired from today's work. so i decided to get ate some brownies and went home.

it's a wonderful experience for me. something new and something refreshing. i enjoyed the silence and spending time with myself... with only me and my brain talking. i never did understand it before.. but today, or tonight rather, i finally see the light.

and yes, i would love to see you again. :)

Labels: dreams, God is good, love, self-love

here we go again..

i'm not supposed to be in the office today. i am supposed to have a date with myself. but professionalism and duty beckons. i am feeling insecure at the moment and ugly thoughts are filling my head. you'd probably ask why..it's because i have been waiting for G. Hold your horses, she didn't ask me to wait on her. It is my own doing. which now makes me feel really, really stupid. so i went to seek comfort to that place she said i should go.

Susan.

and the lesson i learned today is that:

A good relationship makes working easier, parenting better, family time richer and gives you the time and space to work on things and be involved with things that make you you (separate and apart from your family and partner). That is what a good relationship and a loving partner does for you.
Source: Getting Past Your Breakup (http://s.tt/15n6B)

I think I have an issue with the "gives you time and space to work on things" since I always wanted to be with the person i am in relationship with. this fact really made me feel sad.. but i am willing to work on it. and as much as i wanted to text blast, i sat on my hand and pretended I had better things to do.

The same article also asked several questions which i want to honestly and bravely answer:

1. So why have you spent time in bad relationships with terrible people? Or not-so-good relationships with somewhat not-okay people?

Honestly, I had superhero syndrome that I thought I could influence my recent ex to change for the better. But it just became worst overtime. It was time to accept the truth: she's a jerk and not worth my time.

2. Why have you spent time with takers? Why have you spent time with people who narrow your life instead of enlarging it? People who steal valuable time from your work, your family, your hobbies, your “me” time? Someone who is such a chore there is no time or energy left over for you or for the things you care about?

It was reasonable at first, wanting to be with each other all the time. However, I have to give up seeing my friends just so we could spend time together.. which was not good since I do need other people in my life. Truly, I felt everything has become a chore.. and i ended up crying cause everything felt so obligatory. it took the joy out of giving and loving. i was just like a robot because i was made to believe (or i made myself to believe) that she could actually solve the problems she created. which of course, never happened.

3. Why do you want “someone” as opposed to someone great? Why are you afraid of being alone? Why do you settle?

There's this someone.. who may not be perfect but i know she's perfect for me. We might have our differences but at the end of every decision-- it was something borne out of a compromise. I am afraid of being alone because having a companion is a wonderful gift. I guess I settled because i was trying to made a point. a stupid one at that. besides, i had an instant available company when i needed one.. like to pick me up at the airport.. go to the mall with.. stuff like that.

4. What are your issues in and out of relationships that keep leading you to the dry well for water? And why are you spending SO much time trying to stay away from this person or spending so much time STILL thinking about the person who is so beneath you and your ideals and your morals and your good judgment? Why?
Source: Getting Past Your Breakup (http://s.tt/15n6B)

I've been swamped with lies and broken promises in my recent relationship. She's actually not a lost.. I actually get scared when she starts communicating with me again.. cause it means trouble. and i am tired of having that.

So there. I will read this again later when i get home. honestly, i am starting to feel terrible I just want to sleep it off.. :( please make tomorrow better.

please.

Labels: life, my thoughts exactly, relationships, self-love

bantayan in pictures

enjoy! i truly did.. :)

Labels: photos, travel

kung hei fat choi

finally home after spending the long weekend by the beach. celebrated the chinese new year there too! went to bantayan islands, cebu with the G. it was wonderful.. fun.. lots of loving and eating under the sun. Couldn't be more perfect-- i had everything i ever wanted.. my blue skies, my white sand, my starfish, my beachfront hut, my roadtrip, my stars, my beautiful sunrise, my glorious sunset and most importantly, my G. everything away from the hustle bustle city life.

Bantayan is a wonderful place. just like what you guys read about. what's so distinct about it i guess is the fact that it's not too crowded and the beach is what you ever wanted it to be, a place to swim and play around. i'll post some pics soon, promise. :)

i'm missing sleeping beside G.. i have to settle embracing my pillows tonight until i see her again. i do hope it is soon...

Labels: God is good, love, relationships, travel

impeachment 2

yesterday cj's impeachment trial started. it's the 2nd impeachment of my life, the first one was Erap's.

all i can say is that the judiciary has my utmost respect and support.

Labels: politics

11 years and counting

i'm commemorating my eleventh year with blogger today. :) more stories, more adventure!

Labels: God is good

resolution '12

this entry is 4 days late. I was thinking of having only 1 resolution this year that i would stick to until i fulfill it. but i will list down 12 just because it's 2012. so here goes:

1. work harder.
2. save better.
3. smile a lot.
4. love myself more.
5. be more generous.
6. be forgiving.
7. be health concious.
8. start being independent.
9. go out with my friends more.
10. meet people, a lot of them.
11. invest on good things.
12. go to church every sunday.

I will not tell you which one i am going to do but its among the 12 listed here. happy new year everyone! :) i do wish us a bountiful, happy, sweet and stres-free 2012. muwah!

Labels: dreams, God is good