I am trying to approach 2013 from a more optimistic perspective, finding happiness on a day-to-day basis. I am at a point in my life where I base my happiness on obtaining future goals - going back to school, finding a job I love, etc. This is a frustrating, unfulfilling way to live. The idea of 'The Happiness Advantage' gives some great ideas to help change a person's perspective and appreciate what they have, right here, right now. So, I want to try to follow these rules, daily:
1. Gratitudes
Write 3 things I am grateful for each day.
2. Journaling
Write for two minutes a day describing one positive experience I had over the past 24 hours.
Update my blog more frequently. Write, write, write.
3. Exercise
Walk for at least 20 minutes every day. Run or go for a long walk three times a week.
Eat better, too.
4. Meditation
Meditate for 5 minutes a day. Breathe.
5. Kindness
Send one message, e-mail or text per day praising/thanking someone I care about.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
wrote this a week ago
Monday morning, black ice, gray skies and a sense of grimness. Another jostling ride on the TTC and I arrive at work a few minutes late but the first to open the door, apparently. I get locked out a minute later when I go for Starbucks and forget to bring my key. The 9am meeting starts at 10:15 and there is a general sense of stress.
There is nothing more motivating, more pushing, than doing a job that offers no challenge and is given to me on a temp to perm basis. I am in Toronto, embracing my Canadian lifestyle after my year in Australia and three and a half years in China. 2012 held a lot of experiences. A painful break up. Leaving an interesting albeit badly paid job in Chengdu. A summer of teaching, t-shirts, warm beers, and staying out til dawn. A trip - two and a half months of travel through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
My solo SouthEast Asian backpacking adventure was profound in so many ways. It made me realize that 'finding myself' wasn't necessarily a good thing. I found myself, yes - found myself walking the streets of Hanoi at 5 in the morning with people I didn't necessarily know or trust, found myself not partaking in tours and sightseeing to incredible places because I was too busy sleeping off a hangover. Found myself being culturally disrespectful, at times, and putting myself in risky, unhealthy situations. I discovered other things, though - a unshakeable confidence in myself, a realization that I don't care as much about other people's opinions as I thought I did. A self-assurance and self-reliance that surprised me. I was strong, and tough, and independent. I was strangely proud of myself.
I moved back to Canada in November, giving myself a couple of months back home with my mom. During that time there were a lot of catch-ups with friends, going on awkward dates, cooking dinners for my mother, applying for jobs (with a gradual decrease in experience requirements and general interest over the course of the winter) and re-adjusting to Life at Home. I won't lie, there were times when I reverted back into sixteen-year old Danielle, getting driven to the mall and having my laundry done for me, folded and fresh and smelling of daises.
I made the decision in December to move in with my mom's cousin and her French husband in their place in Etobicoke. I have been here for a month now, living side by side with my "aunt and uncle" as I call them and their two exciteable Bichon Frise dogs and small feral cat. Shortly after my move to the big city I found full-time administration/reception work with a successful property management company. The location is good, my co-workers are fun and friendly and the pay will let me save up a good chunk of money.
Which brings me back to my original point - boring jobs are good motivators. I have applied for and been accepted to finish my Bachelor's Degree in communications/marketing (with a second core major in Mandarin) at Griffith University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It will take me three semesters and a hefty international student tuition to complete the BA Communications. Classes start July 22nd. I am so excited to undertake studies in something I love. I will be one significant step closer to getting into a career that I can be passionate about - working in marketing in Asia? Something in news or magazines? Online work? I am filled with hope and possibility.
And, after the snowy weekend we've had, I cannot get back to Australia fast enough.
There is nothing more motivating, more pushing, than doing a job that offers no challenge and is given to me on a temp to perm basis. I am in Toronto, embracing my Canadian lifestyle after my year in Australia and three and a half years in China. 2012 held a lot of experiences. A painful break up. Leaving an interesting albeit badly paid job in Chengdu. A summer of teaching, t-shirts, warm beers, and staying out til dawn. A trip - two and a half months of travel through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
My solo SouthEast Asian backpacking adventure was profound in so many ways. It made me realize that 'finding myself' wasn't necessarily a good thing. I found myself, yes - found myself walking the streets of Hanoi at 5 in the morning with people I didn't necessarily know or trust, found myself not partaking in tours and sightseeing to incredible places because I was too busy sleeping off a hangover. Found myself being culturally disrespectful, at times, and putting myself in risky, unhealthy situations. I discovered other things, though - a unshakeable confidence in myself, a realization that I don't care as much about other people's opinions as I thought I did. A self-assurance and self-reliance that surprised me. I was strong, and tough, and independent. I was strangely proud of myself.
I moved back to Canada in November, giving myself a couple of months back home with my mom. During that time there were a lot of catch-ups with friends, going on awkward dates, cooking dinners for my mother, applying for jobs (with a gradual decrease in experience requirements and general interest over the course of the winter) and re-adjusting to Life at Home. I won't lie, there were times when I reverted back into sixteen-year old Danielle, getting driven to the mall and having my laundry done for me, folded and fresh and smelling of daises.
I made the decision in December to move in with my mom's cousin and her French husband in their place in Etobicoke. I have been here for a month now, living side by side with my "aunt and uncle" as I call them and their two exciteable Bichon Frise dogs and small feral cat. Shortly after my move to the big city I found full-time administration/reception work with a successful property management company. The location is good, my co-workers are fun and friendly and the pay will let me save up a good chunk of money.
Which brings me back to my original point - boring jobs are good motivators. I have applied for and been accepted to finish my Bachelor's Degree in communications/marketing (with a second core major in Mandarin) at Griffith University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It will take me three semesters and a hefty international student tuition to complete the BA Communications. Classes start July 22nd. I am so excited to undertake studies in something I love. I will be one significant step closer to getting into a career that I can be passionate about - working in marketing in Asia? Something in news or magazines? Online work? I am filled with hope and possibility.
And, after the snowy weekend we've had, I cannot get back to Australia fast enough.
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