happiness
Happiness, defined; things that help you find happiness, keep it, and share it with others.
How to Play with Fire
“We were all close as fuck, my siblings and I, but me and my oldest brother would have been rollies growing up. He taught me the ways to carry myself, to avoid being centered out. He started by, introducing me to the street rats hide out spots, when he would let me ride along with him on his licks. He told me, who to stay away from and never to trust anyone but myself. I lived by his motto, even though the times we spent were rare. He stayed, in and out jail. When he had my first nephew, he sheltered him, the best he could. However, when that little Negus grew up, he was even worse than his daddy, but, I did not know until it was too late… Oh, you want to know the background? Ok”
By Amina JL S5 years ago in Motivation
How Will Smith Helped Me Through 2020
I got a call from my Mom today talking about unemployment. For some background, I may live in Los Angeles, but everything paperwork, insurance, and ID wise, still goes to my parents house in Oregon. During 2020, I lost my job, a job that I absolutely loved. I was finally making strides in my bank account, feeling good about myself, and getting things on track after a really tough time. Then came - 2020. I was forced to move back home into my childhood room and apply for unemployment. I applied in March. I didn't receive my unemployment until end of July. 5 months of making lists, applying for jobs, and hearing nothing back. Was I not qualified? Did I need to edit my resume again for the 20th time? Maybe it was my cover letter, I just couldn't figure it out. I started to get scared. Terrified, actually. I was dipping into savings and finally, got a job at the restaurant I worked at when I was 16. As a 24 year old college graduate, that was debilitating for my mental state. At any other restaurant, I would have been fine, I would have said, "Yes, finally a paycheck!" But, I was brought back to be a server and I ended up in the back as a dishwasher because the restaurant couldn't keep anyone long enough and I felt like going backwards had a brand new meaning.
By Kam5 years ago in Motivation
Happy Birthday, Billy!
Remember Frosty the Snowman? Every time that hat landed on his head he’d say “Happy Birthday!” I like the idea of celebrating every awakening as a birthday of sorts. Try to keep that in mind as I tell you about a friend of mine. I had a conversation with someone a few days ago, who on the condition of anonymity agreed to let me share his story. I'll call him Billy (not his real name). Billy began the conversation with a stark statement. He said that everything he had ever touched in his life until just recently had turned to c_ _ p. He related several incidents spanning decades of adult life that included careless accidents, mistakes, a few actions taken in panic. There were a few things that he admitted were wrong but done without greed or malice, but simply because he gave way to temptation. He was weak. He made no excuses for his actions, but he has admitted to doing wrong and has paid for what he's done. But he also keeps it in mind. While any others involved have closed the file, as it were, he hasn't. So Billy keeps a list of sorts of things he's done wrong in his life. Everyone makes mistakes, I said. We all do things wrong. We all do things we regret. Sometimes we give in to temptation because we are all weak. But we also all do things right. I asked him to tell me what he thought he'd done right. He thought for a few minutes and told me that when he was much younger he'd introduced two people who had gotten married and had recently celebrated their twentieth anniversary. But, he said, he couldn't think of anything else. Well, first off, I said, not everyone can say that. He has given two people an opportunity for 20+ years of happiness. Every day they wake up with something to celebrate is thanks in part to him. Every anniversary card exchanged has his name somewhere behind it. So he should feel very good about that. Something else about Billy is that he has pets, and every day that those pets have love and shelter and food, he's done something right. Our good deeds aren't always as dramatic and memorable as our mistakes. It is easy to think, especially if we are decent people with a conscience, that we are more defined by what we do wrong than by what we do right. I told Billy that he was right to be aware of what he'd done wrong. To regret being weak and dishonest, and to face whatever consequences there were. But I also told him that once he'd done that- once he's apologized to everyone he needed to and reformed himself and really, really changed, then it was time to move on. Learning from our mistakes is important, and true, missteps and lapses in judgement should be remembered so that they aren't repeated, but once a wound has healed, no good is served by cutting it open again. Just remember how it happened the first time. In the series premiere of Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Benjamin Sisko doesn't understand why wormhole aliens seem to keep returning him to the time and place of his wife's death in battle against the Borg. He asks them why, and they basically tell him that he has never left that moment (I don't recall the exact line). Sisko finally came to realize that he kept seeing it because he hadn't allowed himself to move on emotionally from that point. Billy has been doing the same thing on a number of issues, and I told him that he had to give himself permission to leave all of those scenes behind. Everyone else has forgiven him. It's time for him to forgive himself.
By Mark Abukoff5 years ago in Motivation
A Tuesday At The Docs
It was a Tuesday afternoon and I decided to go down to the docs. I liked sitting at the edge of the docs and watching the ducks swim gracefully in the water. It was very peaceful there. Since I finished school, I had a lot of time on my hands to write in my favorite little black notebook. I took my softcover notebook and began to write down all the things I wanted to do in my life. Everyone expected me to get a job as soon as I finished university, but I had other plans. I wanted to get away. Travel. See the world. Most importantly, I wanted to start a life with him. The only problem with getting away was the fact that I had no money. Well, not enough money to start a life. There I was sitting with my feet hanging off the docs when an old man approached me.
By Anniebella5 years ago in Motivation
Random Acts of Kindness
Thursday lunch hour I often set aside for running quirky personal errands, like today’s quest for something to cheer up a co-worker going through a tough time. Looking back later, I would wonder what lead me to the tiny gift shop and a series of unexpected events that turned my life upside down.
By Jade Elk5 years ago in Motivation
Inner Monologues & Lemon Juice
Shaking off a glazed daze, I focused in on the name on the page. It was the only words I'd written so far and it wasn't even my real name. I chuckled and reminded myself, 'The name's not important. I write under a pseudonym most of the time anyways. It's the words on the page that are truly enchanting. 'The only words on the page's mockingly mimicked the voice in my head. 'The only words on the page.....And my deadline is less than 24 hrs away.' | sunk. Writers block had been an issue lately, and not having anything to show to my editor at our meeting tomorrow was NOT going to go over well. I tried to take a deep breath and focus, but a refrain of 'The only words... The only words' was now thoroughly stuck on loop in my head. 'What on earth am I gonna do?' I could nearly hear my editors disappointed voice, like ghost whispers on the wind, in my ears. I hung my head. Perhaps out of exhaustion or frustration or both.
By Alixx Bartosh5 years ago in Motivation
A Fine Day to Die. Or Maybe Peach Pie
"THE ALIENS ARE COMING TONIGHT, SAVE YR'SELVES!" I wake up to a wild-haired homeless woman wearing a bright pink, soiled tutu screaming at the top of her lungs. She seems pretty convinced aliens are on their way to take over and enslave us. I chuckle to myself that if aliens did visit, they'd turn around and go right back home if That's the first human they saw.
By Sherene O'Hern5 years ago in Motivation
What Do We Have Here, Sweetness?
“How are you, Anthony? Are you eating, sweetie? You don’t look so well. Come on. Come in, we have enough.” She was talking to him, but looking just past his shoulder. He didn’t need to follow her gaze to know an eviction notice was hanging from his door.
By Leah R. Ponticello5 years ago in Motivation
Number 8
Number 8 As humans we resist change. We resist the unknown, not knowing what your next step is or what the world has in store for you. We often times need others validation to make sure were doing something right. We are conditioned to think a certain way because of what others have labeled us as a child and adulthood. People go through so much pain and when does this suffering end. When do you take your power and say I am the one I was looking for this whole time. I don’t want to cry but I have suffered so much my whole life. I tell myself over and over again when is my time to shine. I have a pure soul a pure heart. I want to help others in need, I want to change the world. No one understands me people call me crazy because of the things I am into. Call me crazy Jane but I am a crazy crazy girl ha-ha but in the best way possible. I into things that not regular girls are into. But hey that’s me and I am special. I know I can change the world to a better place. If only we can put our differences aside and live in our authenticity and not judge others because of the way, we look or our different beliefs. I know my gift is stronger than them all. I am one special diamond a lost one. The day I surrendered to my past the day I let go of what no longer was serving me that’s when the magic happened. That’s when the universe gifted me something so special. I meditate every day on the grass by a lake. Something strange but magical happened to me today. I was meditating and I always observe nature I noticed how connected I am with birds they will sing to me and it would be so beautiful. I see orbs all around me and fairy lights I connect with the present moment. Something I never did before. But truly felt divinely guided to this experience. There was not a single cloud outside all I saw was the orbs and fairy lights. As I looked to my side there was a beautiful tree. I looked down and saw a little black notebook it was plain. But something inside me told me this is for you Jane. I grabbed the notebook and I opened it and I was shocked it was an infinity sign which represents my life path number eight. The infinity symbol in numerology represents the number eight. The number eight goes through a lot of pain from childhood to early 20s. Life does not seem to go good until mid to late 20s. It’s because the number eight is the strongest its ruled by Saturn which is a strict parent it wants you to learn all your hardships and make your lessons mold you to the person you meant to become. I was shocked to see that infinity sign but super blessed I knew there was more to this. I turned to the next page and it said ‘’ The Universe has gifted you a grand gift. You’re the chosen one. With this we trust you will do good for others. Keep shining your bright light my number 8.’’ There were 3 rocks on the side that represented my favorite number and my soul urge number. There was a grand gift indeed in this notebook. I turned to page three and I was shocked on what I found it was twenty thousand dollars in cash I had to count it to just make sure I was not dreaming. Wow what Dr. Joe Dispenza said was accurately correct. I manifested this I let go of it all I shifted my awareness from my mind into the heart. It’s called heart coherence. I surrendered to the Universe and they gifted me this which I will do so good for others. I will help those in need and open up my own business. I will make a difference in people’s lives. I will influence others to care for others on a deeper level. You do not have to be a millionaire to make a person smile or to help someone in need. I am so grateful for this blessing that the Universe has given me. This was pure magic.
By Brenda Tello5 years ago in Motivation
