Happiness is a choice

"Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want." 

Jim Rohn American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker.

I received this quote this morning and it truly struck me. This idea has been on my heart a bunch over the past few months. 

Happiness is a choice that I choose to live by day in and out. Some may not see that but that's what I believe. Whether I have events in my life that are not my favorite or news that is not good, I choose to be happy when I can.

Maybe it's my personality, okay I know it is, but I like myself more when I am happy and have a smile on my face. 

Who wants to be around Debbie-downers day in and out? Who wants to be put down buy people? I hope the answer is no one. No one wants to be around people who are not positive or uplifting 90% of the day. It's a personal choice. 

Only you can control your mood that you put off to people. Only you can choose happiness or to be a Debbie-downer. Only you can make that call. While life is not all flowers and butterflies, you choose who you want to be. Life is full of ups and downs, but when you can, I challenge you to be happy and smile!

Today, I choose happiness!!

Disconnecting with a purpose

This weekend, I realized something. I spend way too much time "checking" my phone/computer for updates and comments. Between twitter, facebook, blogging, and more, I spend too much time caring what is going around me rather than what is going on in front of me.

So, this weekend, I realized I needed to disconnect or pull away from some of my screen time and do what I need to get done.

Ya know what?

It worked!

I haven't felt this productive in weeks and I learned that I am missing out on something that I coveted more than I realized...weekends at home.

I workout and run errands on Saturday and spend a majority of my time on Sunday at church. I realized I miss moments where I can sip my coffee (or the whole pot) while reading the news or looking at emails. I miss not having to do my hair all day or care if I am wearing the same comfy clothes for the fifth morning in a row. I miss being able to enjoy the dogs when they just wake up.

This weekend alone, I cleaned out/organized three freezers, one medicine cabinet, one bathroom closet, did 13 loads of laundry (family's too), made two huge batches of dinners for my brother and I, played with the dogs, talked to my brother, dealt with our washer coding various things, cleaned up what I haven't in a while, and enjoyed a few hours off the computer. Progress!

Life's not all about what happens on or in the screen; it's about what occurs before your very eyes!

Come on, people

I've been blessed by a group of followers who never snark or say "what in the world are you thinking?" I've found though that some people think it is their right and prerogative to criticize other bloggers for their choices they make.

Personally, I don't think some one's choice is up for discussion by anyone. We are all human. We all make mistakes. BUT, and it's a big but, who are you to pass judgement on someone else? Who are you to spread lies about someone else or micromanage one person's post?

I've connected with some great bloggers and the writers in front of the computer on multiple occasions. With that said, they are wonderful women. Women in the flesh who make their own decisions every day.

Who are we to judge? How would you like it if someone decided to spread a malicious lie around the Internet about you? How would you like it if someone created a website with the intent to hate you?

I wouldn't like it at all. It amazes me how multiple bloggers have to get the police involved due to hate crimes against their name or blog. It amazes me how people think no one will catch them.

Well, I am here to tell you that a blog is owned by someone and words/actions can hurt. Before you say something cruel to someone, on their blog, think about it.

Would you like your life to be under the microscope each time?

In the end, we are human and make our own choices daily!

Stream of Consciousness -- Can I just say

I haven't been in the nicest mood today. Maybe it was that 5AM wake up and I never went back to sleep. Maybe it was the tired, train wreck feeling by 3 today. Or perhaps it was the gosh darn heat by 1:00 that was at 100*. Maybe it was the yuck of another sinus infection. I have no clue what was ruffling my feathers but I totally think it was a combination of sorts.

Do you ever have one of THOSE days that you could totally fast forward or rewind? Do you want to?

Today, I feel like I could have done a few more things or less but I know, for sure, that my caffeine supply did zilch for me. Maybe that was the problem?

I could sit here thinking/pondering about what made the day blah or I could wake up in the morning and start a whole new day. Yeah, I think I'll do that.

Wake up tomorrow and live a whole new day!!

This post is written in the raw, unedited, and hosted by All.Things.Fadra. I participated in this "brain dump," of sorts, and enjoyed every minute of it.

Today I choose...

to be happy and not sad!

to be positive and not negative.

to get some sleep tonight.

to encourage and not discourage.

to think good thoughts and not bad.

to be nice to everyone.

to have a wonderful afternoon!!

Happy Monday!!