Don't Worry; Be Happy!

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" - Leonardo da Vinci

Hmmm, don't you love things that make you stop and think? I am a huge fan of Leo's anyway! He is one of the people I'd love to sit and have a conversation with if I could make it possible. 

In my honest opinion, simplicity is a huge key to happiness. When you stop basing your happiness on things and the bigger the better and focus on the little things, it makes for a happier existence. I've been more comfortable and less than comfortable in regards to finances and how I live and really no matter what I've been a happy person. In fact though I deal with stresses at the hands of someone who seems to always want to cause me stress I am so much happier and much more peaceful than I was just a few years ago when in a miserable marriage even though it means I struggle more and can't do as much. I don't dread going home anymore. That was an awful way to live. 

Keeping things simple with so much can lead to happiness and success I think. Even with losing weight or wanting to be healthier. I talk about my success with weight-loss a lot but I know there are many struggling to put on weight and be healthier in that way. Or to just change their way of living and need good ideas of where to begin. Just because someone is vegetarian doesn't mean they are healthy. I have a friend that can't stop eating sweets! But she won't eat meat! Trust me, a plate of macaroni and cheese and cakes and cookies are going to end up being worse for your health than a piece of chicken! So those people need good ideas and help too. 

Life gets so complicated and in a way all of us are guilty of making it more complicated than it needs to be. I'm sure health issues, unhappy relationships and even the economy has waken many people up to what they truly need to be "happy". You need to ask yourself what you really want out of life. What will make you happy? Don't think of the If's, How's, Maybe's. Think of what it is and then figure out if there is a way to make it happen that can be smartly incorporated into your life.  Life is too short to just exist and not really live. And no, having a ton of money and stuff is not what I mean by living! If you lost every material thing you have tomorrow would you be able to find a way to be happy anyway? If the answer is no then maybe you should reassess your life and make a few changes because you can be happy without a lot of things. I am. :) 

I'm not a happiness expert or lecturing or standing on a soapbox. I hope it doesn't feel that way! Hahaha! :) I just think some of the toughies I've dealt with has given me a different perspective than some. And it does allow me to be a pretty happy, positive, optimistic person. I stress about things as does anyone and sometimes people tell me "Don't worry about what hasn't happened yet." So many of us stress and worry and are down in the dumps over what may or may not happen. If we put that time and energy into things that would help us and be a better person in the process....WOW! :) 

So back to the simplicity in being healthy. Get back to basics. Find a good multi-vitamin and take it. Eat your fruits and veggies and protein and good carbs. Exercise. Move your body in some way. Find something that works for you and just do it. It doesn't have to be complicated. Get a good nights sleep. Drink water. Forget the fads. Forget the gimmicks. Forget the "easy" foods that are packaged in sugar. Grab an apple or pear or plum(antioxidants in dark colored fruit!!!). That's just as easy and will make you feel a lot better. A bag of carrots, whole grain crackers. Put shoes on and go for a walk during lunch. Do squats and sit-ups watching TV. Do jumping jacks! Run up and down the stairs. Race your kids down the sidewalk. Good stuff baby! Not complicated, not expensive. Simple. 

The easier you choose to make things the happier you will be. If you make things complicated then you'll find an excuse to not get it done. Balancing everything in your life to do what you want is very possible. Yes there are priorities. Having children and making sure things are stable and they are OK is a priority. That is something there is no way around upon becoming a parent and being a loving, selfless, dedicated parent trumps other things. But you can focus on them and their dreams and happiness and go after your dreams as well. There is a way to do both. Might take longer and you might need to get creative and get up earlier and have a bit less free time for awhile but there is a way to balance it all out. You take one for the team! And feel good doing it! :) 

Have a blessed day everyone. I just listened to Pavarotti. Come on. How can you not feel  energized after listening to this!! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdTBml4oOZ8


God Bless,
Tam