365 Project: Day 139

I had an unexpected epiphany this morning. Things that I had been pondering, ok, things I had been obsessing about, suddenly became very clear to me. Its a strange feeling when you're blindsided by the truth. Its really amazing how things just switched from being confusing and stressful to very simple. If this were a cartoon I'm sure I would've had a huge light bulb appear above my head. The realization was such a huge relief that I actually sort of laughed aloud to myself. Then I realized that I was in public, but I was still smiling at my book. How did I not see things this way before? Perspective truly is everything. 

I just read the book "Delivering Happiness" by Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos.com. A friend insisted that I read it and she even let me borrow her copy. I laid in the park one day and read the entire 240 page book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. Hsieh's insight on his life, happiness, setting goals, and his philosophy behind the way he runs Zappos is incredibly encouraging and interesting. He is fascinated by the idea of happiness and has done a lot of research about it. He even recommends other books that he has read on the subject.

Now I'm reading one of the books he recommended, "The Happiness Hypothesis" by Jonathan Haidt. True happiness has always been a mystery to me. Of course I have been happy and I often am happy, but in general I would never call myself a content or happy person. By nature I'm a worrier. I stress for no reason at all. My stress levels have actually caused me physical illness and intense pain on more than one occasion. What makes it worse, is I know that I do this. I realize there is no reason for me to feel this way in most situations, but I can't help it. Believe me, I've tried.

I don't want to be stressed, frustrated, or anxious and I don't think that I should have to be. I don't want to let the little things get to me anymore. I am on a quest to be happy, or at least to find out why I'm not. The way this book explains what makes us happy and why people tend to dwell on the negative is very scientific. Breaking it down in a factual way makes it all very clear to me why I react the way I do. Its fascinating. This book also gives you suggestions on how to retrain yourself to react differently. I have a lot to learn and this is definitely no easy task, but I figure, hey, its at least worth a shot. 

365 Project: Day 106

Today was my first official day back in the real world after several days of being in bed miserably sick. Of course, after all the gorgeous, spring-like days that I missed out on, my first day back outside and it was overcast, freezing, and to top it all off, it hailed. Oh well, at least I can breathe out of both nostrils again. I have to be thankful for the little victories at this point.

I really can't believe how rejuvenated I feel today. I think all the rest I got last week did me good. Its such a great feeling to not be exhausted for once. I feel so awake and clear headed. I better enjoy it now though. Last night I was already having trouble sleeping again. I spent a few hours yesterday cleaning, disinfecting, and reorganizing so I could start this week out on the right foot. Now I feel good. Healthy(er), rested, organized and full of new ideas. 

I discovered these little yellow flowers in my yard today. Such hopeful little blossoms. I guess they thought it was spring too. They may freeze to death with the weather suddenly changing back to winter, but they made me smile today and got me all excited that spring just might be on its way after all. Oh, I can't wait!