I can't stage happiness but I can obtain it...

This past year has been a subtle but permanent year of changes for the best. It's been a year to put into motion the positive things I've begun to learn about myself. The previous few years were a time of reflection, realizations, letting go and growth.

I was able to travel a lot and I kept in touch with a lot of great people. However, the so called important events such as "spring break", my birthday, Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years Eve were rather ordinary days. Actually, I like to look at them as days to catch up and rest. I have mastered and understand the true beauty of being by myself (it's been a goal I've been wanting to obtain). This year I have begun to enjoy the simple and free things that life has to offer such as sunsets, yoga, bike rides and writing. In the past I have physically participated in these things but didn't latch onto there importance. These small things have averted me away from my negative thoughts towards my job, cold weather and other mundane activities.

I truly believe in order to have a full life and a happy life, it's important to take time and effort to invest in myself. In 2017, I have started to visualize what the near future looks like and I really like it!

Can we stage happiness?

To me, happiness comes seeping through the door when we least expect it.  It also comes in tiny little bursts, like a bubble, that eventually pops. Then, we all end up cooking, cleaning, dealing with our health or relationships, questioning our personal goals, etc. No matter what day of the year it is.....even on Christmas.

If we attempt to make a plan for the perfect dinner party while wearing our best outfit while spreading cheer, something is bound to go wrong. The harder we try, the higher our stress levels go up as we organize and create this amazing plan.

I was thinking about the Holiday season and the obligations and anticipation that everything will be absolutely perfect for these couple of days. 48 hours of an ultimate high! So many people tend to even want to put a display on for each other.

Yes! Of course it was perfect.........we spent money, we pigged out on food, we had the best decorations and we were all together! The thing is........the uniqueness of this amazingly, special 48 hours or so looks like everyone else's. And there's a pity party for those of us who don't describe our Holiday season this way. Why is this our nature?

What about the rest of the year? Why do we all stop indulging in gifts to others, peace/kindness, good food? 

What if March 1st or October 15th ends up bringing one of us the most spectacular feeling and happy moments of the year? I think it should be celebrated, cherished and then recorded - especially because it wouldn't feel staged or planned.  The spontaneity of a moment like this is what makes it happy! 

What if we need a re-do because of work schedules, bad weather or half of the family was still getting over the cold/flu virus? We get stressed and then feel a bit blue....only because we've been taught we must experience happiness for 2 entire days.

#5 Friendship, it's all connected

After writing my about friendship being one of the happiest parts of travel in my last post I began to realize the things that make me the happiest are all interconnected. The friendships I have are one of the biggest components of who I really am.

I am lucky to have a soul that is naturally good at laughing when life seems a little odd, listening, seeing all sides of a situation and being non-judgmental. This has brought so many unique friendships into my life and allows me to be light hearted when I become acquainted with someone.

It makes me happy to know that I have several life long friends who view me as apart of their family or inner circle. I am always on their side with whatever decisions they make and I know they will always be on mine. We share many great memories and fun times such as traveling and seeing new places.

The past year and a half or so, I have realized that I have an actual impact on my friends and acquaintances just by being true to myself! As I have been sharing my thoughts and ideas through my blog I've heard, "You really are an inspiration." "You inspired me to walk across the Mackinaw Bridge on Labor Day."  When I was younger I think my hopes were to be a good OT, good wife, good mom and of course a good friend. But never an inspiration to my friends and acquaintances? It feels like an unplanned gift that this is the path my life is currently taking me. I must say thank you for the gentle nudges, friends!

The Big Bad Thing does not matter when I am socializing or making memories with my life long friends. I am blessed enough to say that most of the time I am able to bring out the best in people and so many individuals have been able to do the same for me.  Whether it's giving a thumbs up in the hallway at work, a deep conversation about where our lives are headed or awesome memories that float into my mind while I'm day dreaming....I am able to actually forget I have CP when I'm conversing with my friends. If that's not a good friendship, I don't know what is!

#4 Travel and Friendship

Seeing new and different things is really important to me because it allows me to expand my horizons and get away from my routine. 

I have also been very fortunate because travel has given me the opportunity to deepen the friendships I have.  At times I have been able to travel to visit old friends to a new area and learn about the area where that person is living or gain new acquaintances/friendships by meeting their circle of friends. I've been known to gather a group of women to take a trip somewhere new and different. Sometimes it takes effort, compromise and good communication to be roommates and travel together. But I've realized when this does work out, it's almost like I've created a friend for life! As I have been able to travel and gain a new perspective and world view with these cool friends, it is awesome to know we are creating memories that we can share together. 

I've been very blessed to become closer to many friends because of traveling.  

#3 Putting travel into motion

When I was little my parents took us on some pretty standard vacations. When I was in high school something inside of me woke up.......traveling and getting away from the parental/daughter dynamics was pretty much the most amazing feeling I'd ever had! This fire inside of me must be re-lit, quite often. Probably more than I can currently afford. But that's no reason to ignore this spark/desire.

There are so many things about travel that make me happy! So, why not just do it? Until there's financially no way to do it, I need to go!

I'm not sure why but it's easy to question and hesitate.......going. Where should I go? When should I go? These are easily solved. Anywhere. And when I'm not working, because in this regard I'm blessed.

What to spend my money on? Who do I go with? These are a little bit harder questions to answer, for me anyways. I spend lots of time pondering these questions and brainstorming. I say when I have more money or when this person is available, I'll go.

But I'm kinda StayCationed out.  I'm kinda over pondering or waiting for a better time.

This morning I woke up asking the same questions I've been asking myself for a couple of years but I had a couple of answers. Suddenly, my desire burst and within an hour and a half a trip was booked! 

I couldn't be more excited for me 2 week break. I'm feeling a sense of pride I stopped pondering.

New York City and East Coast here I come!!

#2 - One of the components of travel

There are so many moments during a trip that make me feel happy. This is a very global feeling I get when I go somewhere new.

I love to travel and see new places. One of the happiest moments of traveling is realizing how big the world really is.

Each time I have gone to Chicago I have been able to sit on a tour bus or train and watch out the window and see all of the neighborhoods and big buildings. I have always wondered what life is like for people in these new places I am seeing. I also do this when I am able to get a window seat on a plane.

I think it makes me feel happy that I am only a small piece of this really big world and there are millions of other people living their lives. Everything seems to be moving and going forward like a well oiled machine even though my routine has been disrupted for a few days. In these few moments I am okay with not having a sense of control. I feel curious but yet I am able to appreciate the routine I will go back to at home. When I am not home it is fun to realize airports, tourist traps, restaurants and places I have been are still operating.