2014 goal will be JOY!

I was off work for the past two weeks: enjoying time with family and friends. My family lives far away- about 5 hours away and I just love seeing them around this time of year. Christmas is always filled with great childhood memories. As an adult, I love reminiscing.. my mother's holiday baking, my dad's crazy stories and adventures, and all the great moments i shared with my sister. I love seeing them! This year I also took time to go see a great friend of mine.  I met Rachael in university but unfortunately she lives 7 hours away. We talk on the phone weekly but there is nothing more soothing and enjoyable than spending quality time with her. When I first met Rachael, she was a social butterfly, happy, energetic and always surrounded by friends. I was amazed that she wanted to be friends with me: a quiet, reserved girl. As time went by, we realized how much we complemented each other. I needed her push and optimism to make important decisions in my life and she needed to me to "ground" her.  Seven years later, Rachael and I are still just as close. She understands me so well, knows when to be brutally honest and when I just need to be reassured. She is now a yoga instructor and has work so much on her person. Every time I see her, I am amazed at the personal work she's done and how she has grown as an individual. She is genuinely a HAPPY person. She is balanced, listens and continuously tries to understand what her body is telling her.    This Christmas she offered me the most precious gift- a private yoga session. She pampered me, help me perfect certain poses but most of all, gave me a safe space to feel love, and allow me to be vulnerable without asking questions. We mediated, for what felt like 20 minutes and I must say there is nothing better than stopping everything and just being present. I do practice yoga but I hadn't made the time to go in a few months. This private session was the perfect reminded that I needed to get back into my practice and listen to my body’s aches but also my emotions. I am so grateful for this gift she, unknowingly gave me. On my drive home, all 7 hours, I reflected on this gift and how I could maintain the peace and happiness she had given me in that short hour. I decided that I didn't need a “New Year’s resolution” but I was rather pursuing a goal: Happiness and peace with myself. Let me explain, I am always trying to help others find their happy place, peace in their lives and their decisions. However, I often got home and felt too tired to do things that made me happy, for instance practice Yoga. I often limited myself and my interest because no one wanted to join me. The problem was that I always felt frustrated and at time disappointed when I didn't do what I had initially intended on doing. I love taking pictures; however I don’t have any friends that share this same passion. I often limited myself and didn't go out and explore new venues to photograph simply because I didn't want to be alone.    

This year my goal is not to limit myself because I am momentarily tired or without a partner in crime. I hope this will help me maintain a happy outlook and inner peace!

Happy Christmas parties

I am a sucker for Christmas. I love candy cane Lattes and Gingerbread lattes. I love Christmas carols and wrapping gifts while watching Home Alone or Miracle on 34th Street. In the midst of this great joy, I always feel a bit stressed about Christmas Parties- especially the work ones. I never know what to wear, how much I should drink or what table I should strategically sit (because we all know that your seating selection will determine the outcome of the night).
Last night I went to my work Christmas party...
I was nervous because work dynamics aren't always positive and easy. I learnt two things last night.
First- When people get dressed up, leave their husbands and kids at home, and have a few drinks, they are always in a better mood. All of a sudden, people pretend to love each other and I have no problems with that. I have no issues with people pretending to like each other because in the midst of pretending they might actually discover things they have in common!

Secondly- As long as there is a guitar, the party will be great! I love singalongs, I am always so happy to sing, or pretend to know the lyrics to songs! I love the feeling of unity when people sing. I wish I had any musical talent- I am tone-deft, can't remember lyrics for the life of me and I am horrible at remembering song titles. Basically, I am useless when it comes to singalongs but, god, do I love them!

I had a great time last night- I had great conversations with people I respect in my work environment. I got positive feedback and great exchanges. I simple wished we could find these same positive dynamics when we are at work! Maybe I could cultivate this positive energy at work in the new year?!?


 

happy 20s

Being happy isn't simply something that can be achieved when you have a great stable job, you found your soul mate or when you have children. In my early twenties, after finishing university and having time to reflect and question my life, I started reading about happiness. I wasn't an unhappy person, but I had had my moments: divorced parents, bad boyfriends, illnesses in my family etc. After having my diplomat in my hands, I was ready to find my own happiness. I wanted to create my own happiness. However, the big problem was...all books on the topic always talked about people in their 30s-40s even 50s and how they interpreted and found ways to be happy. 

In my life, I cannot say I feel forgotten because I give myself fully to my children. I DON'T HAVE KIDS. I can't say: I've forgotten to have fun and by happy, because I've been consumed by the job for the past 25 years. 

So, here it is. A blog!  A happiness blog for your twenties.