Or you could BARE with me and take your clothes off…

A friend of mine posted this link on Facebook yesterday and it really spoke to me. It sums up exactly what I’ve been trying to do for the past few years of my life. I’ve realized lately that I’ve been letting a lot of negative people and actions take over my generally happy disposition and I’m working hard to rectify that.

Happiness is very much a state of mind (unless there is an underlying medical reason involved. And if that is the case, please don’t ignore it, or self-medicate it, or just hope it will pass. Depression and bipolar disorder, etc. are not things you hope will go away. They can affect every part of your life and there is no shame in seeking help. /mothering moment). Anyway, as I was saying, happiness is often a choice. You can choose to dwell on the crap in your life that is weighing you down or you can choose to appreciate the good you have. You can let life happen to you or you can make life happen.

I made a list yesterday, and I’m not kidding myself that everything is perfect, like unicorns farting sparkles, sunshine and butterflies, or Adam Levine naked cooking me dinner…but when I look at the good I have and compare it to the negative, I’m winning.

That’s right, Charlie Sheen. WINNING. (don’t reenact scenes from Platoon with Charlie Sheen)

Here are a few of the list of 15 items from the article that I’ve been really working on.

1. LOVE vs. FEAR. Well, I can tell you for sure that those people who are really happy, FEAR less and LOVE a lot more. They see each moment, each challenge, each person as an opportunity to discover more about themselves and the world around them.

Of course there are things I’m afraid of in life, but I will tell you, I’m not afraid of being hurt. Sure it sucks, but each painful experience I’ve had, no matter how devastating it was to me at the time, has made me stronger. I try to love with all I have and if that love/friendship is rejected, it will not reflect on me or my lack of giving or trying.

3. FORGIVENESS vs. UNFORGIVENESS. Really happy people know that it’s not healthy to hold on to anger. They choose to FORGIVE and FORGET, understanding that FORGIVENESS is  a gift they give to themselves first and foremost.

I actually forgive more than I should, sometimes. However, it is sometimes hard for me to let go and forget. This is something I’ve been struggling with for years and have started really focusing on truly forgiving and letting go.

4. TRUST vs. DOUBT. They trust themselves and they trust the people around them. No matter if they talk to the cleaning lady or the C.E.O. of a multi billion company, somehow they always seem make the person they are interacting with feel like there is something unique and special about them.

They understand that beliefs become self-fulfilling prophecies, and because of that, they make sure to treat everybody with love, dignity and respect, making no distinctions between age, sex, social status, color, religion or race. These are the great men that Mark Twain was talking about: “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” Mark Twain

I am a very trusting person and I’m proud that I surround myself with people I can trust. The problem is, when my trust is broken, I struggle with the forgive and forget part….

 12. GRATITUDE vs. INGRATITUDE. No no matter where they look, no matter where they are or with who, they have this capacity of seeing beauty where most of us would only see ugliness, opportunities, where most of us would only see struggles, abundance where most of us would only see lack and they express their gratitude for them all.

If everyone focused on being grateful for what they have, we’d all be happier. Hence my list making…and damn, I have no reason to be ungrateful. I’m a very lucky woman.

Okay, sorry for being all serious and stuff. I’m just really tired of negativity and I’m really focusing on fixing my attitude. I can only be responsible for my outlook on life. I know that no matter what happens to me, I’ll be okay. I want to put good out into the world so good will come back to me. It works. Everyone should try it!

Now for some less serious stuff, I posted some fun things on Pinterest yesterday. You know I’m not that active there, but when I am, I always find good stuff! hah!

Also, check out the most pitiful pug known to man. Oh my, Ruby. Why so sad?