Happy Thoughts List: Great Weekends

 Experiments, Ponderings  1 Response »
Apr 292013
 




One of the experiments that has worked the best, even after all the ones that followed it, was my experiment in writing a happy thoughts list. So, I try to write one on a fairly regular basis, even if I don’t publish it here. It helps remind me of all the good things that happen, and keeps my focus off the bad ones. Basically, it’s an exercise reminding me to be grateful for the good things in my life.

So, after a really great weekend, I have a quite a lot of things to be grateful for. So, here is my happy thoughts list for late Sunday night.

  1. Getting Things Done: Despite the fact that I got out and about a fair bit this weekend, I still feel like I got a lot done AND I had time to relax. Lately, I’ve been ending weekends thinking of how much extra I could have done, so this is a much better mindset in my opinion.
  2. Seeing Friends: We went to a house closing party for friends of ours who are moving this week. It was a great chance to reconnect with friends who I haven’t seen in a long time, and to meet a few new ones. I stayed out far later than I had intended, but I had a fantastic time.
  3. Naps:It’s funny how life comes full circle. We start off napping as a kid, then we grow to hate naps when we’re growing, then we grow to adore them later as we grow older. A great afternoon nap on the weekend just feels spectacular!

Happy Thought for the Day: The Universe Has a Sense of Humour

 Ponderings  3 Responses »
Apr 232013
 




Well, the craziness that has kept me on my toes lately hasn’t lightened up much, but I’m taking comfort in one fact – the universe has a sense of humour.

Today had moments of such bizarre activity around me that I couldn’t help but to laugh. Laughter is healing and incredibly stress relieving, so as weird as life still is, I feel a lot better.

I think it’s too easy for some people to get wrapped up in the seriousness of situations. I don’t mean to make light of problems or stressful situations, but the universe is an incredibly bizarre place. Sometimes, if you can take a different viewpoint for a moment, you realize how incredibly funny it can be. That momentary alignment with the humour of the universe can do a world of good for your mind and your soul.

This might just be back-seat philosophizing by a former stand-up comedian, but I rather think that being in touch with the humour of the universe is why some of the incredibly wise people like the Dalai Lama are always smiling. It’s something I aspire to in a way.

Well, even if the world is still weird, at least it’s weird in a funny way for me. What’s keeping you smiling or laughing lately?

Happy Thoughts List: Long Weekends

 Ponderings  1 Response »
Mar 292013
 




Well, it has been a hugely productive week, but a hugely busy one as well. I’ve dealt with technical issues, felt a bit under the weather, and I seem to have finally caught up on sleep just in time for the weekend. After weeks like this, I need to take time to focus on my happy thoughts more than ever.

So, without further ado, here’s my list of happy thoughts for the day:

1. LONG WEEKENDS!!!!: The capital letters were required. This week feels like I fit 6 or 7 days of work into 4 days of time.

2. Productivity: I can look back at this week and know that I got a lot done. That makes me feel like my busy week wasn’t wasted time.

3. Simple things: My cat running down the stairs to see me, a good book, and all the other little things that make life a better place. I don’t always take the time to appreciate them as I should, but they do make life a happier place.

What has been helping you to keep smiling this week?

The Stress of Uncertainty (even the good kind)

 Ponderings  1 Response »
Mar 262013
 




I think the very idea that good things can be stressful is often forgotten since most of what we experience is bad stress.

For the last week or so, I’ve had a few fun things dancing around in my life. It’s just a but unnerving, not knowing where things will end up.

So, while I have disappeared for a bit, it’s for good reasons – at least positive things seem to be on the horizon.

Happy Thought for the Day: Random Adventures

 Ponderings  2 Responses »
Mar 202013
 




Normally I try to be a good boy on week nights. I try to get home and get to sleep at a reasonable hour.

Then, I realized that I completely suck at sleep, and if I’m not actually missing sleep, why not get out? So, this led to me going to ideaBoost at the SteamWhistle Roundhouse.

I also saw this adorable video from a startup called Ramen Party:

Ramen Party Music Video from Ramen Party on Vimeo.

This made me smile and I hope it does the same for you!

Happy Thought for the Day: Using your Voice

 Ponderings  2 Responses »
Mar 112013
 




Speaking up for yourself in the face of opposition or uncomfortable situations is often about as fun as elective surgery. While some people seem to thrive on conflict, most people dislike it and treat it as a necessary evil (when they’re not avoiding it altogether).

Using your voice isn’t an easy thing for some people. However, that moment when a shy voice reaches out to fill the silence is a powerful one.

Unfortunately, the people who have the greatest ease in using their voice are too often the ones with their voicebox disconnected from their brains. Don’t let those people define the world we live in. Raise your voice to join the chorus that shapes your world and all of our worlds.

Using your voice takes back your power and gives you some measure of control.

Happy Thoughts for the Day: Puddles and Slush

 Ponderings  1 Response »
Feb 282013
 




As part of my quest to become happier, I’m trying to focus on happier thoughts, rather than the “problem anticipation” mindset that I tend to occupy at work. This led to my happy thoughts list experiment. This reminded me about the benefits of staying positive. So, here is my happy thoughts list:

  1. Buying something before you need it: About a week ago, I caved and bought the first pair of boots that I have owned in years. This was a part of a hard fought battle against denial. For years, I haven’t owned boots because I haven’t needed them. If it was a horrible day outside, I would either stay indoors or spend as little time as possible outside. Now, taking public transit, I don’t have that luxury. Too often, I find myself buying something I need after I needed it. This time, I bought the boots before all the snow and slush of this week. My dry, warm feet are happy, and I feel satisfied and well prepared!
  2. Craving healthy food: I haven’t had the healthiest relationship with food in my life. My mother often reminds me that at age 3 I gave up on all foods involving the colour green, and it was only in adulthood that I really started eating my vegetables regularly. Now, I find the occasional craving for healthy foods popping up. It’s not the end of my journey towards eating better, but it is a big step.
  3. Weekend Plans: For the last few weekends, I’ve been playing things by ear. I’ve had a good time, but now that I have set plans for the weekend I find myself definitely looking forward to them. It’s a happy feeling.

    4. So those are my happy thoughts for today. What are the happy things keeping you going right now?

Happy Thought of the Day: Laughter

 Ponderings  3 Responses »
Feb 262013
 




While I’m a huge fan of TED Talks as ways to pass the time, part of the beauty of the Web is that you have access to literally anything.

Today, on the bus ride home, I was feeling a bit down, so I listened to stand up comedy off of YouTube for most of the bus ride home.

It was a long ride home, but it passed incredibly quickly. The other people on the bus probably thought I was crazy, but I couldn’t care less. I was having a fantastic time, and I got home feeling a whole world better than I had at the start of my trip.

When was the last time you took a while just to laugh?

Happy Thought of the Day: Making Good Things Happen

 Ponderings  1 Response »
Feb 252013
 




Today was one of those amazing days where I got to have a real impact in the lives of some people. My decisions made the lives of some other better and nicer.

I don’t know what tomorrow might bring, but today was an excellent day. A simple day, but a very good one.

May you have many days like this.

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