Mar 01 2008
Choosing Happiness
…the past few weeks have been trying…
Nothing major, just small daily hurdles that are so common in everyone’s life.
However, instead of letting these things accumulate and get me down, I am working hard to keep a positive attitude. Keep a smile on my face. The positive outlook made for a happy week.
And on this Saturday night, I look back and I am grateful for the week’s activities:
- I did yoga everyday – focusing on both asanas and pranayama. It is refreshing and rejuvenating. I am seriously researching yoga teacher training, and this gives me a new excitement and lease on life. I feel that the best way to prepare myself for this is to fully immerse myself in it… so you will probably hear more about this…
- I read three books this week, and I learned something valuable from each of them. Circle of Simplicity, a book written in the early 1990s that spearheaded the “neo”-voluntary simplicity movement; The Long Road Leads to Joy, a beautiful small book about walking, containing poetry, proverbs, and photographs; and a general history of yogic principles and schools in the Hatha Yoga Illustrated. All three were from the library.
- I ate delicious whole foods this week that I prepared with my own hands.
- I exercised everyday; the aforementioned yoga, as well as hiking on Monday, weightlifting on Tuesday, Pilates on Wednesday, row machine on Thursday, and spinning on Friday. Today was a day of rest. Tomorrow is our weekend walk…
- I got a haircut on Wednesday and a bonus head massage from my sweet stylist. Before getting my cut, I had two people tell me that it looked like a certain presidential candidate… guess which one.
- Kris and I went out for brunch today, a change of pace from the home-cooked meals, but also a way to support a new community cafe… it was delicious and lovely. We also had a date tonight to see a movie.
- I knit 8 inches on my sister’s cardigan today. Her birthday is in 16 days. I hope to finish in time!
- I wore my cozy black turtleneck sweater and stayed nice and warm all day – March’s wind definitely came “in as a lion”!
I end this week happy. I will choose to begin the new week with a smile on my face.
love this. if you hadn’t had a date with Kris tonight, I might’ve called you. You around tomorrow?
Thank you for this post. I’ve needed the reminder to stay positive this week. We forget to take care of ourselves and to enjoy the little things so often! I always find your blog inspiring, but this entry really speaks to me. Thanks again! Have a great week!
You are a woman after my own heart! We can all choose happiness, it isn’t so difficult. It shows in your face too. Just look how beautiful you are in that photo!
How cool to become a yoga instructor!
I am grateful for this post, it serves as a reminder for me to keep striving to stay positive. I’m finding for the first time in a long while (maybe ever) that it has been easy to think positively. I really do feel the benefits of it already. But this makes the down times feel much more down, so this post is a great shot of fuel for the positive side. Thanks.
I’m glad you’re happy at the end of this week! Thank you for reminding us that happiness is a choice.
I’ve found over the past few months that choosing to smile makes a huge difference in my mood; that and listening to music during my public transit commute.
If you are interested in yoga teacher training, might I suggest The College of Purna Yoga? It’s the program I attended, and it is life-changing. Granted, it’s all the way on the west coast, but I know that there are students from around the world. You can read more about the style at http://www.purnayoga.com, and read about what teaching/running a yoga studio is like on my blog, seattleyogini.typepad.com. If you have any questions, Lolly, please don’t hesitate to contact me! I love talking about yoga.
Lolly, you are so right about choosing happiness. It is possible to do. Sometimes I forget and get sucked into the moody mindset but it is so nice to read a post like that as a reminder of the sensible things to choose!
I am sure your sisters sweater will be finished in time.
Thank you for posting this, Lolly! I’ve had a trying week too – and I really needed this to remind me that it IS possible to choose to be happy. I’ll try.
All that exercise produces all those lovely endorphins – even your photoput me in a better mood and encouraged me to keep up my swimming, thank you:) And you are sooo much prettier than a certain p.c.!
You sure do fit a lot into a week! When do you sleep? I like your reminder to be positive. It is so easy to slip into a negative slump. Hope you enjoyed your weekend!
I took a mind/body institute class many years ago for the purpose of reducing migraine and this was one focus of the class. Thanks for the reminder! The migraines are gone now and I’d like to keep it that way but when you’re feeling no pain it’s easy to get complacent.
Hooray for library books and head massages! Thanks for posting about the daily grind and how it can really keep a person down. I just love your positive spirit…
I think your positive outlook is wonderful. Have a great week!
Reading this entry has made me feel happy. Thank you.
Here here for choosing the positive. Sometimes hard to do, but always worth it. Great post! And you do not look like HRC, you are so much prettier.
Good for you, and thank you for the reminder that I choose my reality by choosing my emotional context. I really needed that today.
What a beautiful post! I wanted to train to become a yoga instructor for a few years, but now I haven’t done yoga in quite some time. It’s something I would like to get back to, but I dread finding a new instructor that I will like as much as my very first. Something to move past, I know. Good luck on the sweater for your sister!
Keep it up girl! It’s working!
Namaste, Lolly. Kudos to you for finding the positive!
What a lovely post, Lolly. (With such a beautiful photo!) These things have been on my mind this week too. I am going to check out the books you mention! I hope next week is both positive AND un-trying for you.
Thanks for the positive outlook – I’ve also been having some trying times, and while we can’t always “will it away” as my mother says, a smile on your face certainly helps! I’ve been neglecting yoga lately – I think you’ve inspired me to do a bit today.
You are an inspiration, Lolly. One of the beautiful things about the Internet is that is has allowed me to learn about people like yourself, people who remind me of the things that are important – family, whole food, daily beauty, and peace.
Namaste!
Wonderfully inspirational–as always! Thanks, Lolly!
You have the best attitude and a great smile!
Blessing always come to those who are grateful for what they have now. I am learning this…
If you are interested in learning more about yoga instructor education, email me as I work for an education company that often holds trainings in MD and VA. We specialize in yoga for EVERY BODY.
3 books in one week? That’s some fast reading! I love your positive attitude and it sounds like you had a wonderful week. Reminds me of the saying “I choose JOY” I’ve been hearing it a lot lately, and that’s how I want to start each of my days.
This is so inspiring! It reminds me that we do have control over our lives and state of minds – even when we feel like we don’t!
I love how positive you are. I am so glad I read this post today, what a perfect start to my week. Thank you.
Just sending good wishes your way. I know the joy your beautiful writing and lovely photographs and fiber work bring to all of us will circle right back to you!
You’re doing the right thing! Enjoy your week and may the road ahead smooth out.
I am so inspired to begin my week with this reminder! Thank you for sharing!
What a great list–and such a look of happiness on your face! I hope the coming week is just as wonderful for you.
what an inspirational post….makes me think that being happy about lots of little things may overpower any bad!
Love that picture of you!
Well, you look radiant! I wish you continued happiness. Doing the things you love, even in times of great distress, can bring lots of peace and comfort in your life.
People often ask me why I’m always in a good mood. I tell them: “because I choose to be”. In this society of victims, people just don’t understand that the world around you should not determine your mood! Be happy! It’s a choice! Yea for you!
That’s a swell photo, Lolly! You look very content (even if you might not feel that way). And such a powerful reminder that we control our attitudes–if not the circumstances around us.
Knitting walking travelling weaving yoga….you ARE an inspiration and I do so love stopping by here to catch some of it. How do you fit it all in….that’s my question?
great post lauren – you always give me something to think about…
Obama, right? It was Obama, I’m sure of it.
Diet and exercise can truly have a positive effect on our mood and well being, huh? I have found that to be so true in my life!
What a great post! It makes for a better start to my week! Thank you, Lolly!
Beautiful post! I hope this week is lovely for you!
How inspiring! It’s so nice to read about someone taking such good care of themselves.
Have I ever told you that I think you rock?! You are really truly an amazing person. Love the smiley photo.
awesome lolly! you do rock and you are so inspiring in everything you do!
What a great reminder for all of us! It’s so good to know that while we can’t control the actions of others, we can control our reactions. I’m glad that to know that, with all of the difficulties around you, you are choosing to be a light.
Missing that lovely smile, lady…
To quote a kind of cheesy movie:
“It’s so much easier to be happy”.
And I think you had too much hair to be Obama, not presidential enough to be Romney, and saying that someone looked like McCain would be just mean…
Keep on smilin’!
Thanks for this post. It was a wonderful thing to read on a Monday, and a good way to keep some perspective for the coming week (when, yes, it seems easy to succumb to the million little things).
I love that photo of you, too!
this post speaks to me… in the loveliest of inspirational manners.
thank you!
What a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing your outlook and your happiness.
What a lovely sentiment – we can always choose to be happy. Have a great week!
I’m glad you had a good week
. It sounds lovely. I look forward to hearing more about your exploration of yoga teacher training! It sounds very exciting. I have been really enjoying yoga myself lately and would like dive deeper. I should take a class at a studio or something. Glad you are still happy! Hope your week is going well.
Great post. I am registered for the 200 hour yoga certification course starting this July for one month. I and totally excited about taking it I hear that it is intense but amazing. I am going to blog about my experience so if your not sure if you want to do it…you can follow me on my upcoming journey.
What a great post!
You made me stop and think about not take all the little things for granted!
a beautiful list of moments thoughtfully chosen. there is so much that we can choose to do to make each day rich and meaningful… thank you for this reminder!
)
(i love that pic of you too
xo
[...] I’ve noticed a trend in the blogging world through Ravelry–folks like Wendy, Lolly and Irishgirlieknits, have written entries about what makes them happy. So why don’t I do the [...]