Hey guys! A few weeks ago I heard about Notes From The Universe from Parita and instantly signed up for it. To put it short, they are personalised & inspirational reminders which are sent out daily. Some of the messages I’ve gotten are laughable (i.e. ridiculous) but others have really struck a chord with me. One in particular stood out, especially given how timely it was when I received it:
“It’s not the career you choose, Khushboo, the friend you marry, or the path you take that determines success or happiness in life, but that each day, in some small way, you seek to amaze as much as be amazed.
You “Wow” me,
The Universe
It might have been a case of “right place, right time” when I received it but it totally changed my perspective and mood on that particular day. If I read this a few years ago, or even last year, I would have probably described it as a load of crap. Maybe it’s called growing up but the older I get, the more apparent it becomes that happiness is a state of mind.
Regardless of how “tough” life is, we have the choice to be happy every single day. No one stumbles across happiness. Ultimately we create our own happiness (or misery) by either being grateful for all that we have or mourning over everything that we want. And while we all want to improve on ourselves and grow as individuals, happiness should not be contingent upon reaching those idealized states or fulfilling certain goals. Without gratitude, no guy, girl, physique, friend, job, weight on the scales, or bank balance can ever bring about happiness.
Sorry if you came here for food & fitness talk, but I figured this is a reminder we can all use every so often. However I will leave you with some food for thought next time you’re feeling down in the dumps: For every minute you feel angry, upset or wallow in self-pity, you’ve just lost 60 seconds of happiness.
How are you choosing happiness today?
Any wise words you have come across lately?
U r great. Ur blog gives me inspiration to b happy. However I won’t find happiness on ur food suggestions. At this age I intent to eat all the yummies as long my health permits.
God bless. Luvs
Thank you so much Unclue Ishwar…and next time you’re in Bombay, I’ll surely cook you something that will change your opinion about healthy food ;)!
What a happy blog.
Very true we all makes ourselves happy or sad.
Yup that power is in our hands!
Love this! Whenever I’m in a funk, I always try to remind myself that I can choose to be happy and that helps me turn things around.
Today I’m choosing happiness by NOT letting myself get stressed out about my upcoming final!
GOO LUCK with your final, Chelsea…hope you nail it :)!
I totally agree with you! Love this post! My friend was complaining about how awful 29 has been. I have had a hard year, but I have felt happier if that makes any sense. I wanted to explain to her that the key to happiness was not being a particular age, in a career or earning a certain amount of money. BUt to just choose happiness. TO be grateful for today and all it’s blessings. It can always get better but it can get worse. And each day is special. I agree though too a few years ago I would have told myself I was full of crap.
Your friend is lucky to have someone so wise in her life :)! It’s up to us how much better or worse things get!
A great reminder! You can choose to wallow in misery and self pity, or you can choose to look to the positive side of things.
I’m choosing happiness by taking a rest day today – I was sore when I woke up this morning!
A rest day is definitely going to be one source of my happiness tomorrow…and tonight knowing that I can lie in tomorrow ;)!
Talk about a timely post! I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Maybe you’re right and it does have something to do with growing older (and wiser?? 😉 ), but lately I’ve really been noticing that my mood depends a lot on ME rather than what’s going on around me. I used to think that “Oh, I’ll be happy when ________” but really… what’s stopping me from being happy NOW? With the things I already have? Nothing except my state of mind. I really think that happiness is a choice, and that that’s something that happy people realize and apply to their lives.
Great post, Khushboo!
Thanks Amanda :)! We always seem to be on the same wavelength! It’s funny how we are constantly searching for happiness when it’s in fact right in front of us and in our own control!
Completely true and 100% agree with this. I’ve read before that simply smiling even if you don’t want to, can make you happier. Choosing not to sweat the small stuff also makes me a lot happier. We all have our moments, but if you’re healthy and able to worry about minor things like having too many dishes to do, I’d say you should be pretty happy with that! It’s all about perspective.
Great way of looking at it- we’re fortunate to even have dishes to eat out of…let alone water to wash them up :)!
Great post! Happiness is an inside job. What my motto is: it’s not what happens to you, but how you interpret it. More posts like this please.
Great quote…thanks for sharing!
This is so great to read!
🙂
This truly is an inspiring message, and one that I believe is important to remind ourselves every day. I spent many years of my life seeking happiness via validation and approval from others, thinking that if I just did things a little differently, or looked a little differently, I’d feel content. Well, long story short, I finally realized that being content with the way I do things *now*, the way I look right *now*, and being grateful for everything that I have in my life right *now* was the real ticket to happiness and contentment. There is so much joy to be found in the little things each day! One of my favorite quotes about happiness is this:
“For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time to still be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.”
-Souza
Happy Wednesday, Khushboo! <3
I LOVE that quote, Sara…and as much as we hear that “happiness/life is a journey”, that quote sums it up perfectly. There’s always something than can hinder us…we just have to find a way around it. Thanks for sharing this quote :)!
I second every single word here 🙂 I have been realizing that so much and its so important to prioritize whats making your genuinely and focus on that rather than wasting energy on negativity
making you genuinely happy**
So true…whether it’s positivity or negativity, both result in the domino effect, which is why I rather surround myself with positive people & thoughts :)!
This is true. You are the master of your own destiny and you can make or break your own happiness. I think it takes work to be happy so too many choose to wallow in misery when they can opt and work for happiness instead. Great post!!
It sure does take worth but the end results are more than worth it, right 🙂
What a great post for me to read today…I need reminders like this, quick but oh so powerful ones, to pull me out of funks from time to time. You really are the master of your own life, your destiny and happiness and sometimes I forget that
We all fall into funks every so often,but I hope you pulled yourself out if it sooner rather than later :)!
I couldn’t have read this post on a better day. Let’s just say before reading this I was a little angry and tired of a lot of things, but after reading this I have a new perspective on the day!
Ah I’m so glad to hear that Sarah….don’t let a few tired & angry hours ruin your full day 🙂
I love the idea of this – we could all use a little extra positivity in our lives!
Always :)!
So glad you feel that the “Universe” is speaking to you as well!
You know me – I truly believe that we should always choose happiness. Life’s too short to go in any other direction.
Thanks again for sharing about the Universe :)!
This is such a cute post! I’m going to choose happiness today by eating a few squares of the new dark chocolate I bought yesterday instead of stressing about the final projects I have coming up. I know that’ll make me super happy 🙂
Good call on the chocolate- it makes everything better :)! Hope your final projects go well!
You are right, no matter what life throws at you, happiness is a choice. There are days I’m unhappy, but I have to tell myself, I have so much to be grateful for. We all do. And every single person has problems, nothing is perfect. I stay happy by doing things that make me happy… like my morning coffee, walking for an hour when the weather is perfect, eating a cupcake once a week, baking, enjoying tea time, spending time with friends and family. I think it is most important to do things that make u happy… and not relying on friends/family for that happiness, it should come from within.
Love your simple ways of creating happiness daily..at the end of the day, you gotta put your needs first 🙂
Fablousos reminder! It really is a choice – we can’t control life, but we can control how we react.
Couldn’t agree more..if you can’t change a situation, change your reaction!
The older I get the more I find enjoyment in the little things. And I try not to let the frustrating parts of life get to me.
Great quote. It really is a choice.
Wisdom comes with age, eh 😉
I completely loved and needed this quote! Long-time lurker (first time commenter and newbie blogger) :).
This is so true! I tend to be so negative at times and forget to count my blessings. Its said that 10% is circumstance and 90% is attitude right?
Thanks for de-lurking and commenting, Ramya :)! And the numbers fiend in me loves those statistics ;)!
Love love this! Yes, time spent unhappy is time wasted–There is a positive to be found in everything, we just have to remember to look for it!
It’s all about perspective :)!