the zeitgeist of zoe

This experience

Has it been thirty days already? What fun it has been giving thought to the things that make me smile each and every day, and sharing them with you : )

And, as usual, I learned a few things along the way too:

1. There really is at least one thing to be happy about in each day…even when you are pretty convinced it is the worst day ever. So seek out the happy stuff that is all around you…I promise you, it is there.

2. It’s usually the simplest things that bring the most joy.

3. Happiness is a decision. You can look at the events of each day any way you’d like, but if you choose to frame the “good” things as blessings and the “bad” things as lessons…and maintain a sense of gratitude for both…you’ll be a much happier person.

4. Sometimes the people around you won’t like the fact that you are so happy. Water seeks its own level, and if your friends, family, co-workers, whatever aren’t happy themselves, they may become discouraging, poke fun at your glee or be downright snarky at you in order to bring you back down to their level. Don’t let ’em.

5. Only you can make you happy. Don’t rely on external sources for it; look within.

6. In the equation of X = Happiness, X = whateverthefuckyouwant.
In other words, happiness is different things to different people. Find what makes you happy and then do it. A lot.

7. You can’t force it. If you run around chasing happiness you’ll only piss yourself off. Relax. Breathe. Be open to it. Trust me, it’ll find you.

8. Happiness makes you feel younger and look prettier. I’m totally serious. If you think I’m making that up, go stand in front of your bathroom mirror and frown. Then think of something that warms your heart and smile. See?

9. There is no “key” to happiness. Happiness is a door that is always open. But you’ll never see it if you keep staring at the shit in front of you that’s closed.

And finally…

10. A man once said to the Buddha, “I want happiness”. The Buddha replied, “First remove ‘I’, for that is ego. Then remove ‘want’ for that is desire. And now all you are left with is happiness.”

True dat!

Thank you for sharing the past thirty days with me…I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have.

‘Yakin
No, not puking…’yakin. Kayaking : ) I’m a noob and have only been three times in my life, all this summer and thanks to my awesome boyfriend, but I can tell you that I love it and I hope to make it a regular activity from now on.

I’m not one for noisy recreation (well, except for…you know…) so things like jetskis and the like really don’t do it for me. The water is such a serene place; I like to interact with it in an equally peaceful way. Kayaking is perfect for that.

We spent the day paddling out in the lake, swimming at our favorite place to anchor and hang out, and then relaxed on the deck with some wine after our arms were reduced to exhausted noodles. Or, mine were anyway!

Just about the best day I can imagine.

Life, she is good : )

Tradition

It is Jewish tradition to place a small stone on the head marker of departed loved ones when visiting their grave sites.

There is some debate as to the origin of this tradition…some say harkens back to the time when graves were marked by cairns. Each time the site was visited, a stone would be replaced on the cairn, and so the marker would endure for generations.

Others say it is an old superstition to bind the deceased’s soul to the grave.

Still others…and I am a big fan of this one…say that, unlike flowers which will eventually wilt and lose their beauty, placing a stone on the head marker means that your love for them and your memory of them is as undaunted by time as rock itself.

Today would have been my Aunt’s 79th birthday, were she not murdered six years ago. I went to see her today, to say that I remember her and that I miss her every minute of every day. It warmed my heart to see so many stones there. Sometimes mine is the only one, but not this year.

I love you Aunt Sandy and always will. Memories of you today are my happiness.

The people I work with
(and trust me…it’s not often I’m going to say those words!)

But today, one of ’em gave me this for, cough-cough, no apparent reason…

Day = made

This weed

Check out this random weed. Isn’t it pretty? I thought so.  It even smelled fragrant and sweet.

That’s all…just a simple, unexpected smile causing flower as I went about my day.

It’s the little things : )

Truth

‘Nuff said.

(Heh…and you though all this warm, fuzzy pink crap meant I wasn’t me anymore. That’ll teach ya!)

Surprises

Like when you find out your boyfriend doesn’t actually have to work tonight, right after you have one of those twinges of really missing him…you know, the kind that freak you out and feel really good all at the same time…and it turns out you’ll get to see him again, in just a few hours.

(P.S. I almost chose a different,  more romantic ‘surprise’ image for today’s post, but this one made me laugh water out my nose when I saw it, so I went with this one instead)

Weight Watchers

Well folks, I did my first week’s weigh in and I am down 3.5 pounds. Not too bad! I am very encouraged and excited for week #2. This week’s goals are more regular workouts and another 2 pounds gone.

Yesterday at my boyfriend’s mother’s birthday celebration (he took his family out to lunch at a restaurant of her choosing and was kind enough to invite me along) I had decided in advance that I was going to incorporate a Body For Life-esque “free day” since I had kicked ass all week, so I ordered a meal that I thought I would be pretty excited to eat after six days of nothing but lean protein and complex carbs.

And you know what? I’m happy to report that I really didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. In fact, I only ate half of my meal (which I was planning to do anyway, but the fact that it didn’t taste that great to me after a week of healthy eating made it that much easier to leave).

I found myself wishing I was noshing on a crunchy salad or some fresh sushi instead. Maybe there is hope for me and my waistline yet ; )