Write it down

Short and simple: Happiness Journal.

Every day, I suggest we write down all the things that make us happy that day, and keep them in a journal. Trust me, it helps you end your day on a good note, and it helps you start the next day off on a good note too. Throughout the day, try and find things to write down at the end of the night, even if it is just one thing. My boyfriend has been making sure I do it (funny, huh?) and it really helps, trust me. I love it so much. It makes me a lot happier.

I think that is all :)

-gracie

Help Others

So I have been noticing this particular sign around campus. It doesn't seem like a big deal, right? For all of us new freshman at our university, we were required to read this book, and from what I have heard, not many of us plan on reading it again, or even keeping the book! Now look at how many have donated their books in this particular spot:

I live in a building where it is 99.9% freshman. Of all of those freshman in my dorm.... there are 2 people who thought it good to donate. Mind you, there will be three in a bit, because mine is going in there.

Why do I bring this up? Because I think a really big part of being happy is helping others. We have to take the initiative to be heard, to make a difference. When we show others we care, and we see the happiness on their faces, it really brings us a little bit of happiness too. 

Sometimes we are going through rough things. Really rough things. I will say this, though some would contradict: Happiness is a Choice. It is a "method for life." There are the situations where there is diagnosed depression. But other than that, we choose how we react to our situations. We choose to put our smile on, even if it is hard. We choose what we do to help us find that happiness. So why not choose to help others each and every day?? I believe it is important. Scratch that, I know it is.

I urge everyone to try their very best in trying to find simple ways to help others. To actually look for those ways to do it.  I promise you it will bring you happiness :) (like that smiley face!!)

-gracie

Love

This is a poster that I created for one of my design classes. It isn't anything too fancy, but I enjoyed looking for the picture and quotes to use. I have shown the picture in this before, but it kinda makes me happy inside. 

Love is important in everybody's life I believe. We all need something to love, we all need someone to love us. Don't hold onto something that loves you for the wrong reason's though, because that will only hurt you in the end. Sometimes it is hard to find something to hold onto, but we have to push forward. Be your best self and you will attract what you deserve in the end. Trust me. It is hard, but we can do it. Love will come, in many different forms, in each of our lives. Just make sure you make your "garden a place of delight," as you go your way. 

Love one another!

-gracie

Flowers

I've been thinking about flowers as of late, which is a bit ironic considering that there is now snow on the ground!   I was assigned a project to make a poster for one of my classes. As usual, I have changed my idea probably ten times. The idea that I have settled with is about flowers.

I found these two quotes:
"Some people, like flowers, give pleasure just by being." -Anon.

"Flowers are like human beings... they thrive on a little kindness."
-Fred Streeter

These quotes got me thinking. Doesn't everyone just want a little kindness shown upon them? I believe so. We all wan't to give pleasure to others. Show our friends we care for them. Why not just show it to others like we wish? Oftentimes I think people want to do it, but are afraid to. There is no reason to be afraid!

Yesterday I was very sick. Just something that happens sometimes ;) But  I was literally miserable. I really just wanted to curl up and die. I knew I would feel better the next day, but in that moment I did not want to deal with it at all. My roommate, my friends, my boyfriend, they all helped me, cared for me. They all showed me that they loved me and that they cared. They were sweet to me, and nice to be around. It meant so much to me.

I know that it really pays off to be kind to everyone you know. Sometimes you have to be cautious with what you do and say to people- but everyone deserves a little kindness. I invite anyone who reads this to try and not be rude, to not talk behind another's back, and try to love everyone even if you do not understand them or even like them all that much. It will really pay off in the end. Be kind, oh please, be kind to all.
-gracie

Pep Talk

Being positive in the morning- or right before going to bed really helps you have a better day. I think we should all try this. This little girl did!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg&feature=share

Just be a little more positive. I sure will! I am even going to go talk to myself in the mirror like little Jessica... Though I probably won't stand on the counter like she did....
Smile, and Be Positive! Give yourself the pep talk you need!
-gracie

Friendship

A wise man once said: "In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of greater importance."

This is so true. I believe that if we strive to find people to help, to strive to help our friends, we can find a greater happiness. Answering prayers of a plea for happiness can be just as great as anything else, if not better, in the world. It shows true friendship.

True friendship means so much to me in my life. I love it so much. Yesterday was my birthday, and it was my first birthday not living at home. It seemed so different, almost just like it was another day, but another day with a tad bit of disappointment. Don't get me wrong, having people writing on my facebook wall and sending me texts was great, but it wasn't like I was feeling it through and through. That night my boyfriend took me out to dinner. It was nice to have some fun with him and just be together. When we got back to our dorm building, none of my friends were downstairs, and I had heard noise over on campus so I figured they were out doing stuff. I felt a tad disappointed (yes I like the word tad, deal with it :D) because I really just wanted to hang with my friends. Me and my boyfriend were sitting in my room, or rather, I was looking for something under my desk and he was sitting on my bed, when my friend Cameron called me. He asked if I could come upstairs and help him with his homework. Little did I know that I was going to get pushed into "The Loft" (dorm party room) and receive a surprise birthday party! It was quite something, let me tell you.

I had only wanted to be happy on my birthday, maybe it sounds a little selfish, just wanting a little attention. But when I got that surprise, a prayer had been answered for me. I think friendship is so truly important to being happy. I don't think we should complain about not having friends, but rather get our butts of the couch and go out there and try. And if it doesn't work, try again! AND AGAIN! Everyone needs a friend, whether they admit it or not. May I ask that we all go out there and help our friends, and gain some new ones too? I think it will make all the difference in making happiness a method for life.

I truly believe it.
-gracie

Small

I went home this weekend, and while I was there I found a neat quote: "Often small acts of kindness are all that is required to lift another."

Today was not a good day at all at one point. Someone had said something rather offensive to me and I was on the verge of going and beating him up (at least in my mind I was... probably wouldn't have happened in "real life"). I was close to crying at one point during class when he had said it. Straight from class I had to run to go tutor. My eyes were stinging, and I was trying to hold myself together. I looked up, and as I was walking by this guy that I never met before looked at me intently, smiled, and said hi. Now, don't take that the wrong way, I could tell it was truly out of the goodness of his heart and not flirting. He made my day a little brighter after that.

I can "testify" to you that little things really make a difference to someone who is hurting, or having hard times. I really know it's true, because it happens a lot to me. I realize that just doing the little things really help. That is why I try and smile at everyone I pass on the street, considering I walk everywhere. Really, try to do the small and simple things. Make it a method, and find the happiness that is there. Even in those hard times you will find some type of peace close to your heart.
-gracie