I have to say, I'm digging this year so far. Lots of things have kept me busy lately, but they are all good and productive and I am on fire these days (Details to follow in future blog posts.) Fist bump, indeed! (Thank you to everyone who gave me one for my last blog post. Each and every single proverbial fist bump kept me grinning like an idiot throughout this month.)
I usually do two posts for each new year - one looking back on the previous year, and one reflecting on the changes I want to make for the new year. Last year, for my 2010 post, I wrote about a dream I had - a dream where I was going to start putting myself first, before anyone else, for my own health and safety. And I think I can say, with total pride, that I accomplished that goal in 2010. I slayed dragons and I saved people, but I always saved myself first - I always made sure I was safe. Because at the time, last year, I was surrounded by people who didn't give a damn whether or not I could swim, and just kept trying to drag me under.
No more.
So, with that goal accomplished and some of those people neatly kicked to the curb (or at least fenced in more properly), what do I do with 2011?
2011, my friends - is the year I Get Happy.
Now, I'm not talking about The Secret (apologies to any of you who really enjoy The Secret - I do not) because I don't need Crap. I don't need Stuff. My main interest every day is finding more of the happiness that already exists within me - and then being able to express it outwardly towards others. I don't need a new job, or more money. My Get Happy isn't a wishlist of all the things I feel I'm lacking. It's a list of all the qualities I want to express more, it's a list of simple, free, easy, joyful things I want to accomplish and do with the people I love, and it's an examination of the things I do - those pesky patterns of behavior - that keep me from being happy and how to kick the ever-living crap out of those patterns.
I'm so excited, guys. You have no idea. I know 2011 is going to be amazing because I'm determined, no matter what happens outside myself, to feel grateful, confident, loving, and more relaxed.
Let's DO THIS THING!
I usually do two posts for each new year - one looking back on the previous year, and one reflecting on the changes I want to make for the new year. Last year, for my 2010 post, I wrote about a dream I had - a dream where I was going to start putting myself first, before anyone else, for my own health and safety. And I think I can say, with total pride, that I accomplished that goal in 2010. I slayed dragons and I saved people, but I always saved myself first - I always made sure I was safe. Because at the time, last year, I was surrounded by people who didn't give a damn whether or not I could swim, and just kept trying to drag me under.
No more.
So, with that goal accomplished and some of those people neatly kicked to the curb (or at least fenced in more properly), what do I do with 2011?
2011, my friends - is the year I Get Happy.
Now, I'm not talking about The Secret (apologies to any of you who really enjoy The Secret - I do not) because I don't need Crap. I don't need Stuff. My main interest every day is finding more of the happiness that already exists within me - and then being able to express it outwardly towards others. I don't need a new job, or more money. My Get Happy isn't a wishlist of all the things I feel I'm lacking. It's a list of all the qualities I want to express more, it's a list of simple, free, easy, joyful things I want to accomplish and do with the people I love, and it's an examination of the things I do - those pesky patterns of behavior - that keep me from being happy and how to kick the ever-living crap out of those patterns.
I'm so excited, guys. You have no idea. I know 2011 is going to be amazing because I'm determined, no matter what happens outside myself, to feel grateful, confident, loving, and more relaxed.
Let's DO THIS THING!
Posts
.jpg)
29 comments:
Halla-lu-yer, girl, tell it like it is! Great post, Phoenix. (I don't care for The Secret either. The fucking secret is THERE IS NO SECRET!!) LOL!
Here's a belated fist pump. Whoop, whoop!! You go, girl, and may 2011 be dynamite, awesome, joyous and just plain GOODER than 2010. xoxo
Love & Blessings,
Marion
Yes! I'm right there with you. Excellent goal for life.
a to the men, my friend.
And the Phoenix is reborn yet again! Kudos!
You have a wonderful mindset! I also agree with your assessment of taking care of yourself FIRST!!!
Happy 2011 to you!!
~shoes~
Nice job on the goals. :) My mantra for this year is 'bloom where you're planted.' I have already accomplished (well, in a week will have accomplished) one of my new year goals; moving back to CA! Yippee!
I think the get happy thing is working...I'm sitting here smiling after reading this. Just saying...(Hugs)Indigo
"finding more of the happiness that already exists within me - and then being able to express it outwardly towards others"
Brilliant and lofty goal. I might crib it. Yep. Just might steal the damn thing and plaster my name all over it in paint marker and glitter glue. Okay....I hate glitter, but...maybe...um...somethin'!
Good for you girl!!!! I decided that 2011 would be a year for improvement and so far January is rocking it too!!! Love that you are enjoying your year already also!!! XOXO
I'm with Henry Van Dyke, Tracey, this is something to aspire to, but only as an ideal. I'm sure that part of that positivity includes an acknowledgment of those things in ourselves and in others that also get us down.
To me the answer is usually finding a balance.
It sounds for all the world as though you're well on the way to a brilliant 2011. And why not?
Sounds like a great plan and wonderful way to start the year.
I tried to embed this, but alas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U-rBZREQMw
Nobody does it like the Lady herself!
Excellent. Kudos to you. Be happy. Here's to a fabulous 2011. :)
As a heads up, I have just awarded you the "Stylish Blogger Award" over on my blog.
Woo-hoo! :)
Oh, and that van dyke quote is great too. Thanks for sharing. :)
Great post! With that attitude, you're already at the top of the hill.
Do what you love, and nothing else will suck energy our of you.
would that I had the capacity (or eloquence) to parrot back the great advice you've given me. you are a constant, lady. go get happy!
xo,
g*
I have Bobby McFerrin music on my phone....doesn't get much happier than that. Here's toasting you a locally brewed Irish Ale for a great '11.
::if i shoveled a spot and somebody took it...i think i'd shovel the snow back:: :)
Obviously, you are on your way. Sustain it.
I certainly hope you are happy this year no one deserves it more!
Great post- I think everyone deserves happiness- and sometimes people are not willing to fight for it- Putting it out there and being mindful is the way to go- wait- is that too secretish?
super idea! get happy! lately i try to think of things that make me happy before i go to sleep at night. sometimes it is a short list, and sometimes it is a long list. but it is nice to think of the good and try to find ways to get more of it! :)
have a SUPER weekend! :)
Hi Phoneix! My first visit here, sorry for being a latecomer. I just wanted to say I really liked your comment on Elisabeth (of sixth in line)'s last post. It just made so much good sense I immediately wanted to see who you were, so here I am and not disappointed. I also see some mutual blogfriends following you. But I would have anyway. Best to you.
I'm here because I liked your comment on Elizabeth's blog. I see that my Louisiana friend, Marion, has been here ahead of me.
"My main interest every day is finding more of the happiness that already exists within me..."
For what, if anything, it's worth, I'll just say that I don't think of happiness as already existing within us, but rather as something we have the capacity to experience. For example, we have the capacity to feel cold, or generous, or compassionate, but these capacities are only realized when we come into contact with a stimulus. In other words, they're not just there inside us waiting to be uncovered like gold inside the earth, but they're more like the energy that is inside firewood, but can't find expression in the absence of heat and air. Or, so it seems to me, but the difference in our thoughts about this might be simply a function of how express ourselves.
Good for you! Keep it up. I'm on your side.
I recently found a site I love (Brave Girls club) and they send a great little note to your email every day. Always filled with promise, hope, and support. Go here to sign up: http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001RmASHJDEZJb-PgiNFGSqCw%3D%3D
Wonderful post. You need to be happy without the help of other people or other things... Just you. We leave this world with nothing but our souls. You don't take your job or your money or your Fendi with you. Well... some people may take the Fendi who knows. Losers! JK! NO I;m not...
Amen sister!
The year you get happy? Then I'm with you on that boat, let's sail!
I love that! Let's do that thing. you wanna know a secret? I do not enjoy the secret either-such BS.
Such an optimistic post!
I once said to someone: What if the best day of your life has already happened?
They said: The answer to that question defines whether you are an optimist, or a pessimist.
I like your outlook. I've been stressed these past few months and need to be more optimistic!
In fact, my handle -- saulgoode -- is an old attempt at living and thinking positive.
Perhaps I should revive Saul...
- Eric
Post a Comment