Happiness Is a Choice

Good afternoon! Welp, looks like this is just not my week for getting those early posts out there. I’ll make it up tomorrow by posting this week’s Friday Favorites (and link up!) bright and early. Promise.

Today actually started off on the early side, considering we didn’t get home from the P!NK concert until after midnight. Right at 7:30 a.m. I awoke with a hunger in my belly ready for breakfast.

I quickly assembled a light breakfast of scrambled egg whites with spinach, grape tomatoes and mushrooms while catching up on the latest episode of Grey’s Anatomy. It was my perfect little wake up hour.

As the morning went on, I had every intention of blogging but got distracted by cleaning up the house and doing laundry instead. We have a friend coming into town tomorrow, so I want to make sure everything is in order and ready to go!

Before I knew it, it was time to shower and get ready for my spray tan appointment. If you’ve been around here a time or two than you probably think I get them more than anyone you know, and most likely I do. Part of my job as an NBA dancer requires me to hold a tan and since I am not in any rush to get skin cancer, I opt for spray tans and use self-tanning products as much as I can.

I left the salon considerably darker and went right next door to Subway to pick up a second breakfast. Because I wanted breakfast again, and there’s no rule saying you can’t have two a day.

Have you ever had Subway breakfast sandwiches/pitas/wraps? I’m a big fan!

I always start off thinking I’ll just get egg and cheese and end up loading it up like a regular sandwich. (Pictured above is egg whites, turkey, American cheese, tomatoes, green peppers, and black olives with a few sprinkles of pepper.)

It was delicious and I may or may not have also purchased a salad to eat later on at home before Fitness Pilates tonight. 😉

Happiness Is a Choice

After running some errands, I returned home around Noon and spent the next few hours editing photos from the last couple of days. I haven’t had the biggest motivation to blog over the past week and I think I know why.

I am where I am supposed to be and doing what I am supposed to be doing, but at times I feel like I am simply going through the motions and just getting by. Week by week, I wonder what it will be like when “this” happens or when “that” time comes and can’t help but to wonder what the long-term future looks like for Scott and I.

What will we be doing? Where will we be living? Will we be truly happy?

Now I don’t want anyone reading too much into this! I am not unhappy. We are not unhappy. I have, however, realized that I am not allowing myself to have that extra fire to live life to it’s fullest and make the most out of each and every day. And it’s all because of silly things and negativity that in the end doesn’t mean anything at all.

I have to give a big shout out to a handful of people over the past few days who have truly put a smile on my face. You know who you are and I am eternally grateful for your hugs (even if they are virtual)!

I recently stumbled upon this article from the Huffington Post about the characteristics of happy people. I gave it a read and thought it had merit, but it really got my attention when I saw it pop up again on Julie’s blog. Habits of happy people exist because they chose to live their lives that way.

Today I want to share what I have realized about what it means to “be happy” and how to get there.

Happiness is a choice.

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If you are not choosing to let yourself be fully happy, are you okay with that?

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If not, than how will it change?

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Your attitude and actions are your key.

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Get out of the motions and actually do something that will change the days ahead. Get a positive outlook. Have an open mind.

Surround yourself with positive people. Let go of things that don’t matter, drama, and the people who manifest in it.

Take the high road. Appreciate the little things. Laugh hard and often. Make time for friends and family. Unplug for a few days.

Understand that your happiness is in your own hands and that no one else can change it but you. And finally, don’t take yourself too seriously.

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So that’s what I’m doing. One day at a time, I am making changes that allow me to be my happiest self.

I could easily list an entire post of things that make me happier, but lets stick with twelve. Things that contribute to my overall happiness include:

• feeling loved by my husband

(Photo credit: Elegant Imagery)

• quality time with friends and family

• this face

• these furballs

• running or working out

• dancing

(Photo credit: Dan Lippitt Photo)

• cooking

• doing things for other people

• holidays

• traveling

• getting outdoors

• you guys!

 Question of the Day

What is a characteristic or habit you do that contributes to your happiness?