happiness
Happiness, defined; things that help you find happiness, keep it, and share it with others.
Plant Care and Self Care
The Start of a Journey in Plant Care and Self Care I remember the first time I realized plants could be “happy”. It was my sister in law’s response to my brother’s inquiry as to why the Ivy plant had to find its home on the bathroom sink. She responded in a matter of fact way, saying, “It’s happy there.” She shrugged her shoulders and walked away. It was that simple. My brother laughed and shook his head, accepting her words as a reasonable response.
By Carli 5 years ago in Motivation
A Journey To Happiness
Creating happiness, the joy from the soul that people sing and wax poetic about, poignant and precious to one’s life is also the hardest kind of happiness to fashion. Have you ever felt sadness that threatened to swallow you whole? Has it hurt so much that words get trapped in your throat and you stopped making sounds? When all you can feel is a crushing weight that seems like it will never stop? That’s what it feels like for me on my bad days. On those days I have a hard time even getting out of bed. I was bullied a lot while I was growing up, and that bullying matured into mental abuse. I suffered from emotional manipulation, gaslighting, and all kinds of tactics that made me feel worthless and like I didn’t matter. I became a people pleaser and allowed people to use me as their personal emotional punching bag. I didn’t really know what it felt like to have people love me simply for existing. I didn’t know what it felt like to be seen or validated, and when I hurt or couldn’t take any more abuse no one really cared much. As a result I felt invisible too.
By Kristen M5 years ago in Motivation
The X's and O's of my life
Something I have learned about life is that one never knows when a thought can absolutely turn your life in a direction that impacts your soul. That thought, that moment in time, is the catalyst to the intangible desires of your heart.
By Sandra Roberts Lynch5 years ago in Motivation
Finding my niche
Art and Sewing go hand in hand in my world. I grew up with a family of sewist and crafters. My mother was an expert seamstress and my father did woodworking and other various projects. we were a military family and moved a lot which expanded my view of cultures and places. I've always been curious and love working with my hands and creating things or fixing things. I sew, paint, work with beads and fabric, wood burning, and fixing things like lamps . I learned to macramé, make fabric dolls and all kinds or artsy things because my mind is constantly wanting to learn more and do more. my mother and her family were traditional seamstresses and crafters as were my sisters. I couldn't, just couldn't put all those squares and triangles together. It was so boring and mindless as well as pointless for me. I wanted more. Making clothes was just as mundane and boring. Although I could have really nice clothes if I would take the time. I don't care. I'm not a girly girl. I was always a tomboy and out wanting to explore and check things out. I caught an armadillo once, that was funny. I heard something coming under the leaves close to a path I was sitting on so I stood up and straddled the path to see what it was. When it was close enough and I saw it was an armadillo, I waiting for the right moment and grabbed it on each side of it's body. Scared both of us. It was squirming like crazy and I'm in awe of it but a little scared so I put it back down and we both went our ways. I'm not afraid of non poisonous snakes and bugs and have picked up and handled lots of them through the years. I am solely responsible for both my sisters being afraid of anything that crawls. I am not ashamed to admit that. I guess it's just part of a tomboys' DNA to want to stick a praying mantis in someone's face and say "look" and then laugh when they run screaming and calling you names. That attitude hasn't changed even in my old age. I laugh thinking of things like that.
By JANET REEVES5 years ago in Motivation
Aloha from Hawaii
I was born and raised in Hawaii. Hawaii, a place so unique, from our beautiful beaches, exotic foods, many different cultures and right down to our "Aloha" spirit, no where in the world can compare. That being said, Hawaii has many unique traditions. One of these is the art of the lei. In older times, leis signified royalty and their ranks. Leis were made from a multitude of items, such as flowers, leaves, shells, nuts, feathers and sometimes even the bones of animals. Fast forward to modern day and the advent of tourism. The lei became the symbol of Hawaii. So much that they are an important part of Hawaii celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries and especially graduations. Covid has changed so much of our way of life. Lei gifting is still very important here in Hawaii. The lei is a symbol of love, friendship, celebration and honor or greetings. It is essentially the symbol of Aloha. Tweaking the original floral lei to make something more stable and lasting, ribbon lei making was born. While the style has changed, the etiquette of lei giving and wearing still remains the same. Anyone can wear a lei. A lei greeting is very important and should never be refused. It is often presented with a kiss and or a hug. It is customary to wear the lei as long as the person who gave it to you is present. Removing it is a sign of disrespect
By Candace Hee5 years ago in Motivation
Today Can Be the Day You Turn Things Around
How did I get to this point? This question has come to my mind over and over again as I drive to my parents' house in a state of utter exhaustion. My little daughter was strapped to the back seat, my pregnant belly pressing the steering wheel, hot tears streaming down my face.
By Arya Sharma5 years ago in Motivation
Find Happiness Right Where You Are
For many of us, life is a reflection of the reality of “the next day.” As we move around, our daily routine, whatever it involves, our health deteriorates. We feel like it’s Groundhog day. As we put our feet down when we get up each morning, we feel like we are back to the fun of life.
By Arya Sharma5 years ago in Motivation
Discover Your True Joy: 5 Ways To Find What You’re Really Chasing
When my last relationship ended, I found myself suddenly wondering what my goals meant to me. I had focused on my past five years chasing a dream with this woman (I created happiness, art, and community in NYC, adopted some dogs, and eventually returned to California to start a family together).
By Arya Sharma5 years ago in Motivation
