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Thursday, May 17, 2012

happiness is...

I am an enabler... I am enabling you to want more, desire what you don't have, and lust after material possessions... and that probably won't stop (have you seen the cuteness that I am eyeing for Summer?)

But I want to start enabling something else too... happiness, gratitude, appreciation, contentment

I am 24 (and a little bit), happily living in a great town, in a exciting relationship with a wonderful man, mother to THE cutest pug-child, enjoy more good than bad days at work (although that might be close), call some of the most fabulous girls MY friends, bask in the warmth of a loving family, and love my new creative outlet I have found in blogging. I use the phrase everyday, but actually, I do not NEED anything.

Things that make me happy: furry woodland creatures // pretending I have a green thumb since I can't kill my succulents // red wine, need I say more? // Making friendship bracelets, and crossing projects off my Pinterest DIY board // Pugs, Doug the Pug, tan pugs,  puppy pugs, old pugs, black pugs, pug videos, pug swag... pugs // Fresh flowers, preferably of the ruffly, pink variety
Sure I would like the entire J.Crew Summer 2012 collection, a new chair in my living room would be fabulous, and if my boss believed in vacation days a trip to the beach would warmly welcomed... but forget it, sitting in my living room, in my camping chair, drinking red wine with the boy and my pug is where I am Here&Now, and I am ok with that. 
Even better, I am happy

I want to make happiness something that we remember to focus on everyday! In fact, I just bought this print to hang in my bedroom as daily inspiration.
{via}
I love seeing insights into what makes others happy, and since making appreciation of my own happiness more of a priority, have seen many posts about happiness and the simple pleasures of life pop up on my favorite blogs (here, here, here, here).


So who's with me? Let's celebrate our happiness. Exclaim, murmur, think of our joy, and if you feel comfortable, share what is making you happy these days in the comments!

xx
Jessica

P.S. Have you read "The Happiness Project"? The sisters behind A Piece of Toast swear by it (testimonial here), and I just ordered it... I'll keep you posted!

P.P.S. My sister always giggles when people say "Happiness is...", because she has the mind of a 9-year-old boy and somehow hears a dirty word... odd one!

P.P.P.S. Blogging can sometimes be a pretty facade of fake-ness (aka photoshopped reality that only show the best parts), and I love that there is a movement to make this internet world a little more real. Jess of MakeUnder My Life didn't know the huge ball she set rolling when she started the "Things I'm afraid to tell you" series... So powerful to know that we are not alone, but fortunate to have such a wonderful community of fellow bloggers as a support network

29 comments:

  1. This post made me smile! Speaking of pugs, have you seen the youtube videos of pugs doing their head tilt thing in unison? It's hilarious. Oliver can do it even though he's a puggle and it cracks me up. And I agree that blogging can be fake...I tend to read only blogs that I feel are capturing reality!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  2. Oh yes! That is probably my most watched YouTube video... one of the reasons I want a whole pack of pugs! So cute that Oliver is true to his pug roots and does it too!
    xx

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  3. Love that print.  Great reminder.  I've struggled with depression for many years & have learned over the last couple to celebrate my happy moments even if they're just that - a moment.  There were days I only felt happy for a few moments but now my good days far outweigh my bad.  I think it's because I take time to focus on all the little things that make me happy.  Stuff I never really noticed before.

    So I'm not sure how I didn't see Doug's tab up there!  He is SO cute!!  I love that pic of him sleeping on the pillow - my doggie does the same thing!  

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  4. Excellent post - I couldn't agree more! My favorite blogs (including yours) are where the author lets the readers in on little bits of their real lives and spread good ju ju. I've recently unfollowed many blogs where the posts seemed unauthentic or the author was just out to make $$/get sponsors. So thank you for being real in your blog, and keep it up! PS red wine makes me the ultimate happy, too. :)

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  5. I loved the happiness project and also follow the author's blog. The book really made me think and I appreciated the author's candor! Hope you like it!

    The Blue Hour 

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  6. i love the peanuts ' happiness is....' books.

    but seriously, everytime i am with my husband these days, i am so overwhelming happy, and i make a point to say it!

    and pugs are soooo cute

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  7. I love love love this post of yours for a few reasons - (1) I have that same Kurt Vonnegut print (and he's one of my favorite authors!), (2) I am halfway through reading the Happiness Project and am really liking it (let me know how you like it too!), and (3) I love messages of appreciating what we already have, especially when it can be SO easy to feel less-than in the perpetual rosiness of blogworld.  Thanks for the reminder today :)

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  8. I love this post! I totally agree, I love blogs where I feel it's real and authentic.  What makes me happy? My husband, my adorable niece, and eating.  I love eating. :)

    xo, Yi-chia

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  9. Ohh! I love eating too!!!

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  10. Jess, I couldn't agree more with all of this! I love blogging as my creative outlet, it makes me happy.  I don't care if I get money, sponsors, clothes,  I do it because I like it and all you will ever get from me is real life.  I have a great job that I just love, an amazing daughter and a wonderful home and family. I am so thankful and grateful every.single. day. I know I am blessed and lucky.  I think it is more difficult to realize these things when you are young; so I applaud you for reaching this conclusion 20 years before me!

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  11. your sister is funny.  and I love this post.  also love the part about being real.  I love seeing into the real life/struggles of some bloggers as it is wonderful to find encouragement and support through someone going through a similar thing. 

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  12. Brooke @ what2wearMay 17, 2012 at 1:35 PM

    And this is why I adore your blog, so refreshing to see someone else that doesn't get too caught up in the fake, crazy side of the blogosphere....this post made me smile :)
    Brooke @ what2wear, Monikabrooke.blogspot.com

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  13. Jess! I am so honored to be listed! You are the sweetest. I am excited for you and Ty to come and stay this summer! (even though I will be a waste of a human just getting back from Nicaragua) Whatever. Portland in August is the BEST! 

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  14. Jen,
    I am so sorry to hear that you used to struggle with depression, but it is uplifting to know that celebrating even the tiniest of "happy" moments has grown to embracing days of happy... it really is about taking a pause, looking around, and soaking in what we have. So glad I am getting to "know" you through the wonderful world of blogging... connections with people like you should go under my "what makes me happy" list! 

    Doug is a mean mugger for the camera... pull the camera out (or a treat) and just see how he grovels! Fur babies are too funny!
    xx

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  15. Thank you Monica, I appreciate involved readers such as you!
    xx

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  16. Good to hear another nice endorsement of the book... I can't promise how quickly I will read it due to my level of work reading I am already doing, but I will keep everyone posted on my thoughts after I finish!
    xx

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  17. So cute... and I love hearing that you make a point of telling your husband how happy being with him makes you... People talk about being sad/angry/whatever... but are ashamed to admit that they are HAPPY... not anymore :)
    xx

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  18. 1. I LOVE Vonnegut... some people don't get him... but I think he is in my head when I read his work!
    2. I will certainly let you know how I like the book... might take me a while to read it, so you might need to keep on me
    3. My new motto - have what you need, love what you have... simplicity is bliss!
    Thank you for being such a wonderful follower of my blog, that certainly makes me happy getting to "know" fabulous people such as yourself!
    xx

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  19. Thank you Yi-chia. I am so happy to hear that you can relate :)
    xx

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  20. Christine,
    I loved hearing the things that make you happy, and and I am grateful to surround myself with positive people like yourself. It definitely is a daily thing to remind myself that where I am, is where I am supposed to be... too easy to get caught up in who has more, and who is doing what new fabulous thing, but I really am working on me doing me, and let others to their thing... blogging is my fun, and I while I haven't been doing it for long, and can't imagine it being anything! 
    xx

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  21. haha - she thinks she is too!
    Thank you for the encouragement of my blog through your readership and comments, I love the support that blogging has added to my life... something I didn't even know I needed, but now I can't imagine what it would be like without it!
    xx

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  22. Thank you Brooke! You are too sweet, and I am so glad I found your site and you through my blog!
    xx

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  23. Yay, your post definitely made me smile, and like I said, nod my head at every point! Can't wait to visit in August... just this time, can you tell Oregon to lay off the heat wave!
    xx

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  24. I love this post! Really gives us readers a great insight to who you are. I love how real you are and that happiness could mean the new J.Crew line :). What girl wouldn't be happy about that.

    xx,
    Mary
    M.A.S. Fashion

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  25. Such a positive and inspirational post! I haven't read the book yet, but I will try and pick it up. Sounds like you are very happy in life. I am happy for you!

    Keep being positive :)

    xx
    Amanda
    Giveaway at MyCowlick.blogspot.com

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  26. i LOVE this post, girl. i've been trying to do some of the same things, but i feel like you've inspired me to do even more! xoxo

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  27. !  So excited to know another girl that loves Vonnegut! :)  I think he tends to appeal to guys more because of some of the science fiction-y aspects of his stuff, but he really is hilarious.  Will do about the Happiness Project - it's taking me awhile too (it's a secondary read at the moment, so I'm only getting in a few pages at a time, haha).  And it also makes me happy getting to "know" real girls and follow awesome blogs like yours too, so thank you as well!

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  28. Love that quote so much :)

    http://messwithperfection.blogspot.co.uk/

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Thank you for your comments, they make my day!!
xx