January Highlights 2017

I am currently working on a February Highlights post and I thought I would post a January one too since I did complete part of a Happiness Diary and have a few other photos from the end of the month. :)

My last partially completed Happiness Diary: 

1) A random photo of the day
2) Something I ate that was delicious
3) A meaningful event that happened or a task I was happy to accomplish
4) Something I was grateful for or that made me happy. 

Saturday (1/21/17)

1) Photo: Ever since the skunk tail incident Zuzu has been quite attached to this toy. 

2) Mushroom brie. I know.
3) Brian and I went grocery shopping!!
4) I am grateful and proud to be a woman in the world today. 

Sunday

 

 

1) Photo: My delicious smoothie with amla (gooseberry) powder. 

2) Mushroom brie but it made me feel sick so I tossed the remainder and vow to never buy it again. 

3) After work I made some healthy and delicious flax seed muffins and went to bed super super early. Look at those bags! I needed it. 
4) I am grateful for being able to chill pretty much all day today. 

Monday

1) Photo: Breakfast for the week. 

2) I cooked a roast in the pressure cooker and it was semi decent! 
3) I made Brian try out tapping for our back pain and it was very interesting. I'm all about trying weird things that might work. 
4) I am grateful I got to practice weekly maintenance in Chemistry and I didn't have to repeat any QC today! 

Tuesday

  

 

1) Photo:  This was supposed to be my Snapchat video from the day but it didn't save correctly so all you get is an upside down snap of me with the wrong date. :-/
2) Berry amla smoothie
3) After taking about five days off from working out I still felt nervous about going to class today but I went and it wasn't tooo painful. 
4) I am grateful for having another person to walk Zuzu with. 

Wednesday

1) Photo: Just a little trim!

2) NA
3) I finally got my hair cut after about four months. Zuzu and I are on the same grooming schedule so when she gets shaggy I know it's time to book us a couple of appointments. 
4) I am grateful for Advil in my bed stand table.

Thursday

The day I realized I had completed a year of Happiness Diarys(!) and maybe it was time to take a break and reevaluate. 

January Highlights

January 26th    Brian's new workout toy came in the mail. Now I just need a tire to slam. 

January 27th      Zuzu always looks so sad when I pick her up from the groomers but she was thrilled to see me and smelled delightful.

 

January 30th     Zuzu turned two! She's a sweetie who still gets into mischief but we love her just the same. 

 

Getting a little personal...

In the middle of my 53rd Happiness Diary I realized that I had been writing them for a full year and for some reason I felt like that was enough and I stopped. The diary's have been a lot fun to write and though at times the commitment was challenging (did I skip a week in there? I can't even remember) it was always fulfilling to post a new entry each week. Writing the diaries made me realize how easy it is to find something to be grateful for each day and it will be great to look back on the daily events from this past year of my life.  However, I did find that naming the posts " Happiness Diary's" having a blog with the words "Filthy Happy" in the title, made me sometimes feel guilty when I had moments or entire days where I didn't feel happy and I didn't accomplish anything.  I know no one expects me to be happy all of the time, that would be an impossible feat, but it still made me question myself.  This is where I am so grateful that there are so many inspiring books and podcasts and YouTube videos in the world that teach me that it's ok!  I don't have to be perfect!

I know people can be so critical of others who want to change for the better or want to do good in the world...someone who is a vegetarian because they love animals might be criticized for not going vegan, someone who loves the planet and is an activist for global warming may be criticized for using air conditioning, someone who claims to be awakened and in alignment with the universe may be criticized for losing their temper in a moment of stress.  If someone isn't 100% consistent with their values they are attacked for being a fraud or being a hypocrite.  I think people are sometimes afraid to change because they feel like the little they do is never going to be enough and they will never make an impact on the world or their own lives and they will feel guilty about all of those little inconsistencies.  Inconsistency isn't a bad thing!  Inconsistency shows that you are in the process of growing, and that you HAVE changed.  Inconsistencies are a reminder that you have more work to do or they may just be something you have to allow yourself to accept, because nobody is perfect and most people can't live 100% for any one purpose or passion. I know I will never be 100% happy all of the time but maybe I can strive for being a little more peaceful, a little more clear headed and little more accepting.  I want to live the best life I can live.  I want to get rid of things that don't serve me and don't serve the greater good.  I want to get rid of all the limiting beliefs I've had my whole life.  That being quiet is boring, that I will never have any willpower, that I will never be at peace with who I am, that being vulnerable will only bring judgement, etc.  I want to live in my truth. I want to live in gratitude. I want to live in love. Love of this moment. Love of myself and of everyone and everything around me.

How do I start? I think I just did. Realizing there is a better, more vibrant way to live is the first step.  How someone gets from here to living in their truth is going to be different for everyone but it's all about taking small steps.  There are so many things I want to change and implement into my life but for me I know I need to start with myself and bring more self love, acceptance and forgiveness into my life so I can eventually stop being so self centered and have a clear picture of how I truly want to live.

I don't even know if any of this makes sense but I do know that I feel inspired and I feel good and I wanted to share.  More to come possibly.  Peace!







I am grateful for hikes in the woods and this beautifully sunny Monday in February.