1. The three amazing opportunities I am working on this summer... going from having nothing to everything I want to pursue in 48 hours was crazy and amazing all at the same time.
2. Clean water that I am drinking right now..... we take for granted the water that is so easily accessible to us on a regular basis.
3. My brother Colin. His artistic talent brings beautiful art into the world and makes the world even more interesting.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Lessons to myself at 18
Wow time is flying by! In the last couple days I have had decisions to make, friends to see, and fun to have! I only have three and a half weeks until graduation and I can't believe I am saying that. A couple things I would have liked to tell my 18 year old self when I started college...
1. You will be confused and not know what you want to do with your life, i.e. career. I would like to assure you that the day you graduation you will still not know what you want to do with your life. But I promise you that some awesome things happen and I am overwhelmed with too many opportunities right now!
2. DO NOT BURN BRIDGES.... you never know when you need or want someone. It is hard but it is worth it. You will ruin a couple things but you will also learn how to fix them. Just please never make enemies.
3. Go out and have fun! Way too often you will think you need to stay in and do work, study, or talk on the phone with your boyfriend. Those are all good things, but take time for yourself and do what you want to do! You will make some amazing friends and when that happens enjoy them!
4. Take chances. Jump on opportunities that are uncomfortable. Work hard. Smile lots. I promise even on the chaotic bad days everything sorts itself out.
5. Never say never. Weird things happen and sometimes you look back and cant believe what just happened.
6. Remember you are a smart, capable, strong, funny, happy, enjoyable, loving, dedicated person and stick with that. No need to change, only get better at those things.
7. Its okay to feel sad, its okay to feel helpless, its okay to feel "weak." You will hate when you are overwhelmed (because in high school it was a lot easier to juggle things believe it or not), and you will hate that you have to call mom and dad and your boyfriend and cry a little and ask for advice/help. Guess what?! You are human! Its okay and no one ever belittles you because you are human :)
Good luck throughout college and enjoy the ride. You will not want to leave when its over and you will have wonderful memories to keep forever.
This is part of my happiness challenge as well, to remember the positives of my time in school and learn from my mistakes as well as happy moments in college. I am thankful for my desire to make mistakes and learn from them.
cheers!
1. You will be confused and not know what you want to do with your life, i.e. career. I would like to assure you that the day you graduation you will still not know what you want to do with your life. But I promise you that some awesome things happen and I am overwhelmed with too many opportunities right now!
2. DO NOT BURN BRIDGES.... you never know when you need or want someone. It is hard but it is worth it. You will ruin a couple things but you will also learn how to fix them. Just please never make enemies.
3. Go out and have fun! Way too often you will think you need to stay in and do work, study, or talk on the phone with your boyfriend. Those are all good things, but take time for yourself and do what you want to do! You will make some amazing friends and when that happens enjoy them!
4. Take chances. Jump on opportunities that are uncomfortable. Work hard. Smile lots. I promise even on the chaotic bad days everything sorts itself out.
5. Never say never. Weird things happen and sometimes you look back and cant believe what just happened.
6. Remember you are a smart, capable, strong, funny, happy, enjoyable, loving, dedicated person and stick with that. No need to change, only get better at those things.
7. Its okay to feel sad, its okay to feel helpless, its okay to feel "weak." You will hate when you are overwhelmed (because in high school it was a lot easier to juggle things believe it or not), and you will hate that you have to call mom and dad and your boyfriend and cry a little and ask for advice/help. Guess what?! You are human! Its okay and no one ever belittles you because you are human :)
Good luck throughout college and enjoy the ride. You will not want to leave when its over and you will have wonderful memories to keep forever.
This is part of my happiness challenge as well, to remember the positives of my time in school and learn from my mistakes as well as happy moments in college. I am thankful for my desire to make mistakes and learn from them.
cheers!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Oops! Missed a couple days!
This blog is a representation of the last four days....I have been very busy and completely zoned out about writing down my thoughts. Instead of recapping all of the texts I sent and thankful thoughts I had within the last four days, here are some positive thoughts and moments I have been experiencing.
#1. I love driving with the windows down blasting country music. No matter what my worries at the moment are or confusing thoughts I have, driving around Ann Arbor during sunset with the windows down and music booming is the most comforting and calming feeling. For some unknown reason life seems simple, life seems perfect, life seems clear. I need to learn how to emulate that feeling when I am not in my car so I can live a stronger and more comfortable and confident life.
#2. Smiling randomly, even when I feel down or overwhelmed truly changes your brain chemistry! Try it! I promise something in your body feels different and wonderful and your mood immediately becomes positive.
#3. Listen to your gut. This one is hard, especially when the choices you are faced with involve your future and people you care about. The thing is, there is a reason why human beings have that aching feeling in their hearts and butterflies in their stomachs when a decision is put in front of them. The reason why we get those feelings are because we know the right answer or option or choice, but there are external reasons why we don't pick it immediately. I would argue that one of the hardest things in life is choosing to be loyal to yourself or loyal to someone else. If you are like me, you get joy out of helping other people reach their dreams and be the best they can be, but in turn, you give up things that help you reach your goals or make you directly happy. There is always a time and a place for making decisions and giving something up for another person, but always remember, you also deserve to be selfish once and a while. You deserve to make decisions based on your needs and goals. So next time your gut is telling you something, listen to it. Take the leap of putting yourself first. You may just find that it leads to bigger and better things allowing you to help more people in the future!
So those are the three actions that I have taken, and obstacles I have been faced with in the last four days, and most of my conscious life. Life is not easy, but most of the time it is because you decide to make it complicated. Partake in activities that make you happy and learn how to relive them, smile often, and always listen to yourself. Only you know yourself in ways that no one else ever will be able to!
Cheers!
#1. I love driving with the windows down blasting country music. No matter what my worries at the moment are or confusing thoughts I have, driving around Ann Arbor during sunset with the windows down and music booming is the most comforting and calming feeling. For some unknown reason life seems simple, life seems perfect, life seems clear. I need to learn how to emulate that feeling when I am not in my car so I can live a stronger and more comfortable and confident life.
#2. Smiling randomly, even when I feel down or overwhelmed truly changes your brain chemistry! Try it! I promise something in your body feels different and wonderful and your mood immediately becomes positive.
#3. Listen to your gut. This one is hard, especially when the choices you are faced with involve your future and people you care about. The thing is, there is a reason why human beings have that aching feeling in their hearts and butterflies in their stomachs when a decision is put in front of them. The reason why we get those feelings are because we know the right answer or option or choice, but there are external reasons why we don't pick it immediately. I would argue that one of the hardest things in life is choosing to be loyal to yourself or loyal to someone else. If you are like me, you get joy out of helping other people reach their dreams and be the best they can be, but in turn, you give up things that help you reach your goals or make you directly happy. There is always a time and a place for making decisions and giving something up for another person, but always remember, you also deserve to be selfish once and a while. You deserve to make decisions based on your needs and goals. So next time your gut is telling you something, listen to it. Take the leap of putting yourself first. You may just find that it leads to bigger and better things allowing you to help more people in the future!
So those are the three actions that I have taken, and obstacles I have been faced with in the last four days, and most of my conscious life. Life is not easy, but most of the time it is because you decide to make it complicated. Partake in activities that make you happy and learn how to relive them, smile often, and always listen to yourself. Only you know yourself in ways that no one else ever will be able to!
Cheers!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
A Happy Day for a Beer
Day two of the challenge and feeling good! To be honest, I almost forgot about the daily challenge tasks, but walking out of the Art School triggered something in my mind and I sent three short texts to people who I have not seen in a while or care deeply about.
1. Caitlin Tetrick (Friend and co-worker since I was 14, also the most energetic person you will ever meet!) "Hi I miss you and hope you are doing well! How is work?!"
2.Pavitra Abraham (Family Friend and roommate last summer)- "Hi! You are an awesome friend! Hope your last couple weeks are going well :) cafeteria dinner soon?"
3. Anisha Kopala (High school friend and a very sweet girl that I was never too close with but always enjoyed her company)- Hi I hoep you are doing well :) I was just thinking about high school and wanted to say hi!"
I also worked out today, not as much as yesterday, but I did enjoy the sun and went for a jog! I am a little soar from yesterdays run (pathetic I know), but it does feel good being soar from working out again!
And the three things I am thankful for include....
1. My ability and enjoyment of remembering little details about people!
2. My parents who support me and love me deeply, even in the most challenging moments. They also never question my choices and I love them for that.
3. The flowers that are starting to pop from the ground and make the world beautiful!
Tonight I am going to do some work and head out with friends for a good beer. I only have a couple weeks of school left and don't want to miss a moment of it! Good bye and good night.
Cheers!
1. Caitlin Tetrick (Friend and co-worker since I was 14, also the most energetic person you will ever meet!) "Hi I miss you and hope you are doing well! How is work?!"
2.Pavitra Abraham (Family Friend and roommate last summer)- "Hi! You are an awesome friend! Hope your last couple weeks are going well :) cafeteria dinner soon?"
3. Anisha Kopala (High school friend and a very sweet girl that I was never too close with but always enjoyed her company)- Hi I hoep you are doing well :) I was just thinking about high school and wanted to say hi!"
I also worked out today, not as much as yesterday, but I did enjoy the sun and went for a jog! I am a little soar from yesterdays run (pathetic I know), but it does feel good being soar from working out again!
And the three things I am thankful for include....
1. My ability and enjoyment of remembering little details about people!
2. My parents who support me and love me deeply, even in the most challenging moments. They also never question my choices and I love them for that.
3. The flowers that are starting to pop from the ground and make the world beautiful!
Tonight I am going to do some work and head out with friends for a good beer. I only have a couple weeks of school left and don't want to miss a moment of it! Good bye and good night.
Cheers!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
A Sunny Day for Happiness
It is day one of my happiness challenge and I started off on a great note....hopefully I can keep up this pace! I started this morning by getting up early and finishing homework and then mapping out a run. Now I am not a runner and I could have found many reasons for why I didn't want to run this morning i.e. cold air, still tired, a little stiff...oh in the moment I could have gone on, but I persevered and was proud I did! Like I said, I am not a runner, but I did finish a mile with a quick break/stretch at the half way point :)
Positive text messages of the day include:
1. Diana Carter (a high school friend who goes to Western University and is one of the sweetest girls you will meet) "Hi! Hope you are doing well! Love you! :)" That started a nice text convo between us and something I haven't done with her in a while.
2. Anna Karana (a middle school and high school friend who attends Michigan State University and is an outgoing and determined girl) "Hi! Hope you are doing well! Just thinking about u :)" This also started a short, but nice, convo between us.
3. Regan Alsup (a high school friend who goes to American University in Washington DC) "Hi! Just wanted to say hello! Hope all is well :)"
Three things I am thankful for today:
1. I am thankful for the blue sky that brings brightness and hope to the world!
2. I am thankful for my friend Andrew Copp who is always willing to listen to me when I am anxious about my unsure future. He is one of the kindness guys I know and is a wonderful human being.
3. I am thankful for Susan at the Center for Entrepreneurship. Her hard work and dedication to the center is not praised like it should be! Without her I would not even have a place to call my own on campus.
For the rest of the day I need to spend some time meditating/ me time. I have ceramics this afternoon and that can count as me time. It is usually my favorite part of my day and I am excited to see what creative project comes out of my time in the studio....I love the unknown of going into studio and then coming out with a new idea or concept to work on.
I'm off to experience the rest of my day and will be back to check in tomorrow.
Cheers!
Positive text messages of the day include:
1. Diana Carter (a high school friend who goes to Western University and is one of the sweetest girls you will meet) "Hi! Hope you are doing well! Love you! :)" That started a nice text convo between us and something I haven't done with her in a while.
2. Anna Karana (a middle school and high school friend who attends Michigan State University and is an outgoing and determined girl) "Hi! Hope you are doing well! Just thinking about u :)" This also started a short, but nice, convo between us.
3. Regan Alsup (a high school friend who goes to American University in Washington DC) "Hi! Just wanted to say hello! Hope all is well :)"
Three things I am thankful for today:
1. I am thankful for the blue sky that brings brightness and hope to the world!
2. I am thankful for my friend Andrew Copp who is always willing to listen to me when I am anxious about my unsure future. He is one of the kindness guys I know and is a wonderful human being.
3. I am thankful for Susan at the Center for Entrepreneurship. Her hard work and dedication to the center is not praised like it should be! Without her I would not even have a place to call my own on campus.
For the rest of the day I need to spend some time meditating/ me time. I have ceramics this afternoon and that can count as me time. It is usually my favorite part of my day and I am excited to see what creative project comes out of my time in the studio....I love the unknown of going into studio and then coming out with a new idea or concept to work on.
I'm off to experience the rest of my day and will be back to check in tomorrow.
Cheers!
Monday, April 1, 2013
The Book of Happiness
Secret to Happiness Project
I have decided that my "end of the year project" is going revolve around Sean Anchor's TED Talk titled, "The Happy Secret to Better Work." At the end of the talk he says that if people do four main things they can reverse the recipe to happiness and lead a more successful life. The four exercises are: 1. Meditate for a couple minutes a day 2. Exercise 3. random acts of kindness (praise people in your social circle) 4. write down three new things you are thankful for each day. The reason I have decided to take on this challenge is because I am in a difficult stage of life, I am graduating and very unsure what I am going to be doing, but have glimpses of what makes me happy. I realize that I do exactly what Sean says I shouldn't do, I set goals for myself and if I reach them I just make a "better" goal so I am never really satisfied. I also get caught up in the outside world and how people perceive me.
I was first introduced to this video by my mentor Rich Sheridan. I used to "apoligize" for being a general studies student and he hated when I did that. He brought me into a room, made me watch the video and then paused it when the graph came up. He said to me, "that random dot is you, and you are not average, in fact you are above average in your relationship skills and project management skills and analytical skills and you should celebrate that. I dont care if you are a general studies student because I would hire you over many people who have a specialty or a specific major. If people do not see your potential then you do not want to work for or with them." His lessons stuck with me and made me more confident in my choices. Since this video makes me stop and think about the way I view and interact with the world I decided to take on Sean's Challenge. I will not get through the 21 days before the end of the semester, but this is a perfect goal for me that will continue on way after the last day of class. This is truly my never ending book, and my book is called, "The Book of Happiness."
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