A month ago, I read this book from Regina Brett about Life's Little Detours. It talked about finding and holding on to happiness. No, I am not here to talk philosophically what happiness is all about or preach happiness is a choice or what-not. What I really want to share is this longing I have to improve my perspective in life.
I have always been a happy person. Internally, that is. I seem all grunge and angst outside but generally, I have always been happy. I am happy with everything that has turned out in every aspect of my life - work, love, family, friends.
So why engage myself on this happiness project?
Because I think there can still be so much more to happiness. Not the kind of happiness that just dawns on you when you think about your life in a general way. What I mean is that kind of happiness that envelops you every single day.
So please indulge me to enumerate how I will be doing this, and hopefully, would inspire you as well -- Lifting from Rubin's book, she underlined her twelve commandments, the overarching principles that she should follow. I think this list keeps everything on track and removes the nuances of unimportant things, or feelings or what-ever.
My Twelve Commandments
1. Do it now. Oh yes, my procrastination is ALMOST always a source of stress. Yep, striking out this bad habit starting now.
2. Learn to shut up. Hold that bad thought. And those bad words. Stop babbling and keep it to yourself.
3. Stop overreacting. Identify the problem. Dissect. There is always a solution.
4. Love. And remember why you loved in the very first place.
5. Spend time with people. No matter how anti-social I should feel that day, always, always spend time with friends and family and loved ones.
6. Stop worrying. God knows best. People who love you will always understand.
7. Read. And write. And sing. And dance. These things make me happy. All the time. So don't miss a month not doing any of these.
8. Pray and find inner peace. Meditate. Go to Church. Read about life's little miracles and acknowledge that there is always a Higher Being. I have proven that a lot of times.
9. Sharpen the Saw. Shop. Spa. Salon. Movie Marathons. It's you working and doing all these things so it's you you should never forget to take care of.
10. Choose your battles. Learn when to fight and when to give up. There is always tomorrow. And tomorrow is another day of battle. I learned this from The Art of War.
11. Learn like a sponge. There is no special time to learn. Every day is. Learn, make mistakes. Do better the next time.
12. Be Balot. This I got from my favorite poetry, Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. Noone can be me. And I don't even have to worry if you like me or not. I am who I am. Take it or leave it.
Whew! That was tough. So let it be known how my commandments look like. I should be doing my resolutions first to materialize my Happiness Project but as of the moment, I have done already what I think is the hardest. My guiding principles.
With that, I aim to close this little sharing of mine. Need to doze off for another beautiful day tomorrow. I will be posting more about this project soon.
Good night everybody.
Ciao!
xx,
Corporate Junkie
