The Notion of "Choosing Happiness" 11.10.2014

Disclaimer…this is my blog and my opinion, but my intention is just to maybe….shed some perspective.

“Today I choose to be happy.”  I have read this quote or some version of this quote so many times, and quite frankly, I think it is a load of crap.   I am not this highly negative person, but this is one notion I have yet to wrap my brain around. 

Looking back over the last few years of my life, I have truly felt intense joy and happiness.   My daughter’s spirit has delivered smile after smile to my face.   When I am in her space and the space of my family, my heart is full, and I feel happiness.  When I think about all the blessings I have and all of the heartache that so many are experiencing, I feel blessed and grateful…true blessings and gratitude.

Looking back over the last few years of my life, I have also felt intense hurt and pain.  I lost a friend to intense hurt and pain…  In those moments of my life, I tried to “put on my game face.”  I tried the “fake it,  ‘til you make it” strategy.  I tried to use food, alcohol, exercise, shopping …to make it “better.”  But while there were moments of happiness and joy threaded into this...In that moment, I could not choose happiness.  My dear friend couldn’t either.  If she could have “chosen happiness,” she might still be here.  While I don’t speak of it, I have not been able to process her tragic death.  I still feel intense pain and miss her terribly. 

A few years prior to this, I watched my mother in- law lose her battle with cancer.   In those moments after that terrible day, I tried to be brave, to be strong.  I put on a warm smile as I tried to comfort others, especially my husband.  In all of those moments of sorrow, I could not choose happiness.  How do you choose happiness when your heart hurts and can only feel pain?  

Happiness is an emotion.   Webster Dictionary defines emotion as

 An emotion: a strong feeling (such as love, anger, joy, hate, or fear). 

I cannot choose my emotions.  I can choose a reaction.  I can choose what I say.  I can choose with whom I interact and with whom I choose to spend time.   I can choose what I eat, whether or not I work out.  I can to work harder at work or organize my basement.

But, I am simply incapable of choosing to “be happy.”  I am not saying I am never happy, but I am not one of those people who will ever walk around and say:  “it is what it is” or “it’s all good.”  In my opinion, those statements are lies we tell ourselves, as we try to fake “happiness.”

Two years ago, I spent an entire school year pretending I was fine…things were ok.  I rarely spoke to anyone, and I stayed in my room all the time.  And when I did open the door, it seemed like I could do nothing right.  I finally decided that I would take a year off.  I had to get out of there.  I felt completely invisible in a career that I busted my ass to build.  I went from a leader to completely disposable in 6 months.  “Choose happiness!!..”  There was no way to do that in my opinion.  I felt happiness in my home with my family, but everything else with work and even with some of my friends was a façade.   I didn’t choose happiness.   I faked “fine.”  I stayed at that job for one reason only:  to loop with my kids to 3^rd grade because I taught them not to give up-to persevere—so I would not give up an opportunity to stay with them. 

And now, a few years later, I am still struggling with this.  I am typing this because I know I can’t be alone.  I see all the posts on Facebook and all the pins on Pinterest.   “Today I chose to be happy.”  Blah.   I guess I can also choose to be pissed, sad, angry, crazy…..

I am not sure where I go from here in my life, but I know for me, I have to begin to be more authentic-real-stop lying.   I know that I have to reach out more, be intentional with whom I spend my time-those who truly want to be in my space—even when I am NOT happy—but when I am pissed, angry, sad, and crazy.  I also know that we all need to pay more attention…to ourselves and to the others around us.  Not everyone is choosing happiness…and maybe the next time you ask someone “how are you?”…you might wait for the answer, you might look closer at their eyes and think…is this person “really happy?” like he/she says.

Even Oprah says you can’t buy happiness.  And one life event doesn’t create a lifetime of happiness, either.  Gratitude, yes.  Blessing, yes. 

…

I often look back to the last year Wendy was here…She said she was doing well.  She said she was feeling happy ...  Choose happiness?  Bullshit.

And that…is just my opinion.  And in case you were wondering…positive thinking—putting things in the universe like my last blog….NOT the same as choosing an emotion.  Not at all.  …again, in my opinion.

positive thinking? visualization? is that real? 7.10.2014

Well, another school year is complete, and I spent the last few weeks decompressing, cleaning (a little), and doing what I do best…thinking.

I had a conversation with a friend the other day…

OK, let me stop here.   Here’s the thing about a personal blog.  If I am going to write about my life, the fact is…I do have friends in my life.  So, if you see “your” story here, please take it as a compliment that I thought about our time and connection together and wanted to mention it here.  I rarely ever choose to put names in my blog.  So, you can also un-assume it is about you, and you can just read the post.

Positive or negative, if you’re mentioned here, I most likely think a lot of you.

So, in my conversation, we were talking about the power of positive thinking.  We were talking about the validity of “thinking and visualizing.”  We talked about the notion of putting energy into the universe and how that energy comes back to you. Some might refer to this as the “Secret,” a theory on living based on a bestselling book from several years back.  If you are an “Oprah” person, you probably are very familiar with this concept…She is a huge believer and advocate of this philosophy.

My friend asked if I believed in it.  As we chatted, I shared some of the ways I do believe in it, and some of the ways I incorporate it in my life.   I told her I believe in making lists, putting goals and desires in writing, and I believe in the power of a vision board, creating a collage of images and words of goals you have for your life.

I shared a story with her that I will share here:  When I was in 3^rd grade, I went to a school in the same community I work now (stay tuned).  In the 3^rd grade, I had a student teacher (Miss Chrisman was her name, and I wish I could find her now to share this).  At the end of her time with us, she wrote us these adorable predictions of where we would be in our lives in the year 2005.  I remember thinking even as a 9 year old…”Why would she pick 2005?  I will be 32 by then.”

I tucked the prediction into a scrapbook.  It stayed there for the next 22 years.

Let me restate something I have mentioned in a previous post…I don’t believe in coincidences.

Later, as my life unfolded—not everything went according to plan.   As I mentioned before, college wasn’t all cram sessions and coffee.   While I was working for Kroger (a job I had had since 16), I eventually moved to the catering division, as an event planner.  While I was there (I was miserable), I wrote in my journal a lot.  I was doing a gratitude journal at the time, but one day, after work, I wrote:

“On February 24^th, 2000, I will have a new job.”

True story:  On February 24^th, my best friend called me on the phone, and she said, “Hi.  Do you want a new job?”  I ended up interviewing and getting a job at Head Start as a family service worker.  

As time went on, I still had my dream (of becoming a teacher or a writer).   I was sitting in the office one day, and I overheard another friend talking about the teacher licensure program at Ohio Dominican.  I made an appointment, and I was on my way. 

After a long road to obtain my licensure, I was ready for the interviews.  I created my portfolio, and then I went into the basement.  I dug out the prediction that I had tucked into my scrapbook. 

“In the year 2005, MT, will become a third grade teacher at Etna Road Elementary School.” 

It was now 2004.   I didn’t get hired at the school where I had been subbing.  Broken and sad, with no other “bites,” I saw a posting for a 1^st grade job in the community where I grew up, Whitehall.  The interview wasn’t at Etna Road.  It was at Beechwood, one of the other elementary schools.   I had been working summer school in the district that DIDN’T hire me (I was already committed).  But…that principal knew the principal at Beechwood very well (no coincidences), and I got an interview.  I took my prediction with me.   I got the job.  In fact, I wasn’t even home before I got the call with the offer. 

In 2004, MT became a first grade teacher at Beechwood Elementary, and in 2005, she was 32, and she was teaching in the same district as the prediction.

These are two small examples of how the power of written word and positive energy has influenced and shaped my life’s journey. 

As my friend and I chatted, she began to share that maybe, just maybe, there was some “food for thought” in what I was sharing.  I explained that I had created a vision board that was mainly focused on having a baby (which I have discussed at length in a previous post).  The vision board also reflected my feelings about how I believe that the kitchen is the heart of the home and family.  There were also many images and words about begin active and choosing a healthy lifestyle.  The board isn’t magic, of course.  I made it in December 2010.  She was born in November 2011.  The heart of my family is our kitchen, and it is also the heart of many of my friendships.  That active lifestyle, also mentioned in a previous post, began in June 2013, and it has grown stronger and stronger.  It is a part of not just my life, but also for my husband and daughter, who is now 31 months old.

I have also incorporated the power of positive thinking and visualization into my classroom.  This past year was my first foray into teaching in a “testing grade.”  As the big test date came closer and closer, I wanted to teach my students some strategies for taking the test—and for life.   We took construction paper, and we folded it into 4 boxes.  In one box, we wrote the strategy that works best for me for “what to do when I am tired, and I’m stuck.”  In another box, we wrote one happy memory that we could think of if we need a quick brain break in the middle of the test.  In a third box, we wrote 1-3 words that get us going when we need a push.  In the last box, we wrote the score we wanted to see on the paper when we got our score in the mail.  Below is an example of what my 4 box looked like:

Looking up at the ceiling/visualizing (my strategy)	When Maris was born, and I looked into her eyes for the first time. (a happy memory/thought)
PERSEVERANCE BELIEVE  (the words that keep me going)	445  (my pretend score)

The kids looked at this 4 box each time we “practiced,” and they also read over it one last time before the test.  It was their reminder that they had strategies and strength.  Did it work?  Did this translate into "high" scores?  All I will say is this…I am damn proud of them, and I do believe that they took that test feeling positive and believing in themselves.  And, that…well, that -a positive feeling a belief in oneself- is for life.

In the last few years, I have been cautious about what I “put out there” into the universe.  I am cautious not to say things that I really don’t want to happen.  I am a believer in what “positive” things could happen.    It isn’t really that “out there” as one might think.  Actually, I saw the perfect pin on Pinterest recently that

captures this belief and philosophy spot on: 

It doesn't seem to want to post here, but this is what it says:

Decide what it is you want.

Write that shit down.

Make a fucking plan.

And…

Work on it.

Every.

Single.

Day.

Damn good advice.  You want it…put it out there, and then GO GET IT!

  

Random Musings in April 2014

I have started and scrapped so many posts lately, and I am not sure why.  My journal(s) are filled with scribbles, rambles, lists, rants, and many expletives.  So, tonight… a small ramble of my rambles:

(in no particular order)


when and how did social networking become so addictive?

when you ask someone how they are, and they say, "I'm fine."…it might be bullshit…and it might not

am I ever going to be skinny?  ever?  (no, but I am getting StRoNg)

I am excited to be in a book club…to begin rediscovering me in new ways (more to come on this)

who the hell do any of us think we are?  do we even know?  (hence the book club)

watching and hearing a child get excited over a book is incredible…I am so lucky I do what I do

how can five notes from a song literally change your complete mood and demeanor (in various ways)

I never thought that I would be 42 with a 2 year old….I never thought I would be 42 with a 2 year old

"life is a balance of holding on and letting go"~rumi

if you can't find the time in 60 days, 78 days, 139 days, you aren't going to find the time…be honest

I get to create and recreate who and how I am each and every day…and that is pretty damn cool

...which…is good--because I am never going to be perfect like I always dreamed…

how is it that I carried her for 9 months, and for the past 3 … I have been invisible? (this has been one of the most painful pieces of being a mommy…knowing she only wants daddy)  

if you do what you have always done……you REALLY do get what you always got…

if you think you know me…you are probably wrong (I'm complicated)

mascara is magic…I love mascara

I still cannot believe I work out now!! (me!!??)

once I stopped making excuses--it felt so good…damn good

I over think…it is what I do.  Stop telling me to relax and let it go…

"good grief" is one of my new favorite sayings  (It is almost replacing "shiest")

sharing wine with my hubby at our kitchen table is one of my favorite things in the world

patio season is coming (and we need new patio furniture!!)

listening to my daughter role play with her babies is the most precious thing ever…("you wanna go to the park baby?")

it's never too late to become good friends with an old buddy

I can finally put my daughter's hair in pigtails!!!

I love seeing my friends' dreams come true…love love love it

being the dark horse must be fun--(but what does it mean, really)

I remembered the other day that when I was little, I used to hear, "She's Always A Woman" on the radio by Billy Joel, and I used to think..I want to be like that woman when I get older.  (that says a lot about how complicated I really am)

you never really leave the east side

I cannot bear to say good-bye to this class (but I will --)

I have been repeating the same patterns of behavior since my earliest journals… (I will just blame my mom)

I love rocking my girl at night and telling the same stories over and over (I hope someday--those are the tales she blogs about)

I really am going to make my recipe book (I have an added feature other cookbooks don't have!!)

I never go to bed early when I say I am…

yep, this is how my mind runs….

the sun one minute-then she's pouring down rain (david nail)

….what are your rambles??

REDO …Happy New Year 1.12.2014

It has been awhile since I last blogged.  I had many scribbles of things I wanted to say, and then I got a new phone, my "cloud" failed me, and I lost a year and a half of my "notes."

it was this glitch that began a new chain of thinking...

Perspective is powerful.

When I realized I lost all of those words...I was upset.  Then, I was relieved.  I couldn't go back and see those thoughts, but I also couldn't go back and re-live them either. 

As 2013 came to a close, I began thinking about all this "resolution" business.  People sitting down, creating these "resolves."  I started thinking about how I approached last year and the year before, and I realized that I hadn't made any real resolutions, but rather, I had made some hard and fast DECISIONS.

In the past year, I decided to make my way through the final months of the school year, a year that was quite possibly the most difficult of my career (yes, even more difficult than year one-simply because in year one, I had nothing to compare it to).  

I have a hard and fast rule in life--one that my students can tell you very well:  I don't make promises I can't keep.  

I promised my team to be there til the end of the school year, and I was.  Yet, I wasn't just promising them a member of a team, I was promising to myself that I would stay at my school until the end.  I had been looking outward …but I would never walk from a commitment.  And I stayed.  

In the past year, I decided to finish that damn internship, to complete my master degree, even after I learned that I could drag it out another two years.  I decided I was going to graduate, and that meant I had to complete the work.  And, I did. 

In the past year, I decided that I would, in fact, get healthy.  For the first time in my life, I decided to work out, to push my body far past the hard limits I had afforded it.  I decided that after the third day of Insanity that I would keep going.  I decided that I would not make excuses--too tired, don't feel like it, too many cocktails the night before.  I decided that even on double days, I would push myself.  Some people say I have willpower.  Nope, I just decided.  

In the past year, I decided to come back to work, physically and mentally.  After choosing to hide under a rock for a year, choosing to keep my mouth shut, and conforming-or what I felt was conforming (ugh!!), I was ready to let my voice be heard (those were my choices--looking back, I chose to do that, and I can only blame me for that).  But, I decided that I would not do that without heeding the hard, tough, excruciatingly painful lessons (and they still sting sometimes) that I had learned… Looking back, sometimes those lessons felt like I was cramming my face into a pile of suffocating mud.  No, that's really what it felt like.   I don't easily "let things go."  I wasn't sure that coming back was what I really wanted to do…but I was given an opportunity to loop again with my little 1st graders, then 2nd graders…, and I decided to say yes, and I committed to those families.  But, as I said before- I would never walk from a commitment.  So, I came back for them.  And I decided to give it my best.  And, I have.  And what do you know, in this decision,  I realized I still love what I do.  I'm having a really great school year.  (sometimes, you just have to DO it!)

In the past year, I decided to REALLY focus my energy on the relationships that reciprocate (although…).  In the past year, I watched several friends go through challenges that --quite frankly-- I don't think I could have traveled.  I watched them survive -- stand tall -- and move forward, and I decided that I am the lucky one to be able to be in their space.  I have friends who inspire me in so many ways--they make me strive to be a better me, and it is those relationships that I want to nurture more…I decided that through their strength, I could keep discovering my own.  And, I am.

In the past year, I decided that preserving family time was something that I was committed to, fully and completely.  I realized that if I was asked to make a priority list in my life…my career is not in the top 5.  And I decided that I am OK with that!  I don't need to justify that or explain that to anyone.  It is simply my realization-my A-HA.  There are other pieces of my life that make up my top 5…my career isn't in that top 5.  And when I realized this, I also realized I shouldn't be expected to feel "bad" about that.  And, I know what this alignment means.  I know that my career is still important, but my priorities have shifted.  I have a co-worker who tells me often that I have changed so much in the past few years.  I take that as a compliment.  I am not afraid to change …not anymore. 

In the past year, I decided to make those changes, commit to those changes.  My motto for my school year became:  DO or DO NOT …there is NO TRY.  And now, as I look forward to the new year. my motto is REDO.  What do I want to REDO within my world?  

                                   I decided to REDO some things…one step at a time. 

 Stemming off of the Happiness Project and Happier At Home (both great reads by Gretchin Rubin), I decided to start making a list (check out WANDERLUST--it's awesome) for January.  My REDO's range from "to do's" to redoing pieces of my home.  

I decided to start a board on Pinterest of REDO's for my house decor and organization (this toddler thing is a beast!), and I decided to create a collection of quotes and phrases that help me refocus on keeping me centered and HAPPY :)

I FINALLY decided to start napping more…or resting more when my daughter naps.  (yes, we tell new moms to nap when the baby naps…I finally figured out how to do this, now that she is TWO!)  And, I decided NOT to feel guilty for being lazy, for relaxing (that word still rattles me a little), for curling up by the fire with a blanket instead of doing laundry.

I decided that working out and taking care of me-it's what I DO now.  It's becoming automatic.  I get up every M-F, and I work out.  Done.  NO more excuses.  

I decided that if I want to have some mommy friendships and connections, then I have to create that--so I decided to create a play date. :)

I decided to join/co-chair :) a book club with people that will help me grow. 

I decided to do gratitude journals with my class.  (talk about a shift in environment!!)

I decided that this year my husband and I are GOING to take a family vacation, and I am going to commit to more date nights :)

I decided that when my daughter says, "mommy play,"  I stop what I am doing, and I play.

I decided to start REDOing.  

                                             Sometimes, you have to look back, so you can look ahead…

                              A new year of decisions…and it's only January.   Happy New Year.