by Kelly | May 11, 2017 | Creativity, Writing |
LIFE DESIGN
Write Your Smiles To Increase Your Happiness
We all think of smiling as a bi-product of happiness, a response to something that pleases us. But, what if we looked at it the other way around? What if the act of smiling, actually made us happy?
A year or so ago, I read this book. It introduced me to the concept – which I have since read about in a number of places – of smiling to improve one’s happiness.
What if the act of smiling enacted a change in our brains, and rewired our emotions, to change the way we experienced the world? That’s the question this study asked, and it turns out they were right. We can actually affect our own moods simply by smiling our way to happiness. I love this. It turns so much of what we expect on its head.
Among other things, it means that our moods don’t have to be dictated by what it going on around us. And, that we don’t have to think our way to happiness. Positive self-talk is all well and good, but if we can take a short-cut to happiness and an improved mood – why not?
“What’s more, we don’t have to stop at smiling. This is the exact phenomenon I experience when I write about positive things.”
It dawned on me the other day, as I wrote about treasuring the present, that the very act of writing about it, changed my day. My outlook was noticeably more positive, and more glowing all day. I felt acutely aware of all the beautiful little things that surrounded me: the shape of the tree blossoms out the window, the “eyes lit up” smile of my son, the gift of a day off with my kids.
I had a great day. And I know it was a result of stopping to process the positive and take notice of the everyday beauty surrounding me.
There are myriads of ways for us to harness our happiness, and affect our deep sense of well-being and positivity. We all need to find what works best for us. If you, too, are a writer, I suggest doing what you know.
Write your smiles. Don’t wait for something wonderful to strike you. Set out to create the happiness in your day, by writing it into being. Even if you don’t believe it when you start (even if you can’t think of anything positive to write about your day), start writing. Write your smile.
Happiness doesn’t have to precede the writing. Doesn’t have to precede your smile. Write your way into a beautiful day. And, when you are done, revel in the upswing of your mood, the brightness of your outlook, and the lightness of your being.
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ECO-LIVING
The Plastic Purge
CREATIVITY
A Year of Inspired Living
LIFE DESIGN
New Habits for A New Year
by Kelly | Mar 9, 2014 | Creativity, Goals, Writing |
This year, I discovered something. This is my inspiration season. My creative season. For the past three years, February has been the month where I have done the most blogging. Where I have felt the most inspired, and where I have made huge decisions to do new and exciting things.
As Spring approaches, my mind seems to need to bloom. I want to blossom, create and dive into something with both feet. Three years ago, it was this blog. And the writing of my first novel. The next, it was the purchase and building of a brand new business, in partnership with my husband. Last year at this time, I was preparing for my third child, and making a bold decision to move to a new home and community.
This year is all about inspired living.
For me this means:
1. Writing. Something magical happens when I record and reflect on my life. I see things in a new way, and express myself more readily. And I find clarity.
2. Homesteading. I hope you’ll see me writing a lot about self-sufficiency and sustainable living this year. Two over-used words, that, nevertheless, hold so much value for me. I am really excited about where this will take me.
3. Creativity. I want to flourish creatively this year. Explore new skills, and build on old ones. Writing. Photography. Carving and needle-felting. To name a few.
4. Gratitude. Follow me as I record my thanks in pictures throughout the year with “Everyday Beauty.” I want to make gratitude a habit. And train my eye and heart to see the blessings all around me.
5. Dreaming. My goal this year is to be filled with inspiration. To find beauty and wonder in life, and to move towards my dreams.
What will blossom this year? I hope it will be something just as powerful, exciting and liberating as the last.
Time to spring ahead.
by supertwigs | Feb 3, 2012 | Goals, Parenting, Photography, Writing |
It’s February, and I am fast approaching my first blogiversary. Just under a year ago, I began Musings from the Middle, as a way to track all of the amazing changes I’d been experiencing in my life. My heart is full, even now, as I read over some of the posts I wrote last year. The hopes and dreams and wonderful directions in which I was going. And, thankfully, continue to be (albeit somewhat stalled).
Last year, I:
1. Started blogging
2. Quit my job
3. Wrote a novel
4. Started a business
5. Rediscovered photography
6. Generally fell in love with life
I have to say, it was a good year. It was fueled by the discovery of a few wonderful books, and the help of a few wonderful people (my husband and children).
I’m not sure what to say, but my heart has been asking me to come back to this place. The place where it all began. Running an online community, while learning how to learn with my children, while desperately finding ways to generate income has been – well, busy. I’ve been online a lot. And none of it here.
But, past few weeks, especially leading up to the day I started writing my novel last year (and thinking of what has come since then), have made me introspective. And, I’ve been trying to remember why I started all of this in the first place.
So, however this goes.
I’m welcoming myself back to this place.
This place of recognizing the beauty in life.
The moments and the wonder that make it worthwhile.
The creativity that blossoms when we least expect it.
And the wise voices that infuse it.
For anyone with a creative soul who reads this. Welcome yourself back to that place. The place where it all began. The place that helps you remember. And the place the fires you up.
Go forth and create. And capture and cherish those moments that make your heart sing.
Happy year two.
by supertwigs | Sep 5, 2011 | Goals, Photography, Writing |
I always find September to be a time of rebirth and renewal. A time of excitement and a certain freshness that echoes the cooler temperatures. I love breathing in September air. And I love looking forward on the horizon.
September always feels like the start of a new year (much more so than January). Something about the end of the hot weather, and the shorter evenings signal a new sense of organization in me. As though I know my days are getting shorter, and I’d better make better use of my time!
This year, my September preparation largely revolves around my children. Making the decision not to send my son to preschool, I have been deciding what we might do instead. How we might choose to structure our days, in a way that works for all of our family members. What classes he’ll take, what events we’ll attend, what homeschooling supplies to purchase, if any. And what elements we want in our day, and in what order.
However, this September, I also want to think about me. Summer always feels like a time for being out of the house, enjoying life at the tips of my fingers. A bit of everything, a gathering of experiences. Fall feels like rhythm. Like settling in, buckling down and diving in.
So what will I dive into this September? My new business, The Homeschool Co-op. But, I also want to make more time to read, and remember the other parts of me (that don’t involve a computer). This fall, I am going to read over my novel, and decide on whether or not to edit it. I also want to continue improving my photography. And, I do know I am itching for some stability and good old fashioned rhythm and routine.
It isn’t like me, but this year I crave a schedule. I crave some order, and some new and awesome experiences.
So, I looking forward to breathing in the fresh September air, and taking out the cool weather clothing. I am looking forward to doing some of the things I have been talking about. Homeschooling, writing, blogging, growing a business, and cherishing my children.
Mostly, I want to catch September fever. That time of year when anything seems possible, and new beginnings are a given. I want to learn something new, and fly with it.
Welcome to September everyone! And what are you looking forward to this season?
by supertwigs | Aug 10, 2011 | Books, travel, Writing |
Wanderlust has hit again. It started with a book (as it always does for me). The Art of Non-Conformity, written by Chris Guillebeau. A fantastic handbook on living a life outside the box. The author himself is currently engaged in travelling to every country in the world. Then, I read about the book, Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts. Requested it from the library… read it until it was due (arghh). Then, my husband brings home, Book Lust To Go by Nancy Pearl (arguably North America’s most famous living librarian). It’s a book of travel booklists.
I love booklists.
I spent the weekend, first with a wonderful old friend that I had backpacked with 12 (twelve!) years ago, and with my parents, who are getting ready for a riverboat cruise in Europe.
It’s been enough to make my mind feel like a pinball machine.
So, I ask myself these questions: can a mother really travel with her kids? (Yes, I know it can be done). Can this mother really travel with her kids? Should I even attempt it? (After “travelling” overnight to my parents with them, I feel exhausted and just a little daunted).
And, supposing I could, there would still be one problem… summed up by this quote I remember reading once, “Wherever you go, there you are.” Which can mean many things to many people, but, to me, at this point, means just one thing. You get on a plane, thinking to have the adventure of a lifetime, and when you get there, you discover you are still in your own shoes. Still very much in your own mind. You haven’t left one thing behind. Oddly, the plane ride hasn’t changed you.
I distinctly remember having this feeling upon flying into Scotland (wait…thirteen!!?) years ago. How very surreal it was to be in Scotland, and to still be me. Feeling very much like me, in a different place. I can only say, it was a bit unnerving. Of course, I got used to it. And the trip was amazing. But, it lost just a touch of its magic by having me there… Am I making any sense? Like it all felt too normal. Too weirdly comfortable.
The contrast between the dreams and plans I had made, and the reality of myself.
I am older now, and I am prepared for this, what I am dubbing “the paradox of wanderlust.” Lusting after an experience, something that forces us to step outside of ourselves. Only, of course, there is no outside. Only us in a new setting. And, yes, there is change. But, it happens gradually, on the inside. In our hearts and minds. It isn’t magic, but it is meaningful.
I’m pretty sure I’m rambling at this point (not entirely sure I’m even using the word paradox correctly). Wondering if anyone else has experienced this themselves? Or mulled on it? And what does it mean to bring ourselves on our most anticipated adventures? Are we dampened or enlightened by the company? Next time, I’m hoping for the latter. So, I’ll continue plodding along on the path to self-improvement.
Hey, besides, next time, I’ll be bringing two little souls with me, and I’ll take a gander that I won’t have many moments for quiet self-reflection. If I’m lucky, I may not even notice I’m there.
So, I think I’ll end with the quote that brought all this on. Thanks to Nancy Pearl for sharing it. Although, I think I like myself a fair bit more than Ralph did himself, thankfully.
Traveling is a fool’s paradise… I pack my trunk, embrace my friends, embark on the sea and at last wake up in Naples, and there beside me is the stern fact, the sad self, unrelenting, identical, that I fled from. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
So, I know at least one other person (and a person of consequence at that!) has felt the paradox (how I love literature).
If you’ve made it to the end here, thanks for bearing with me. Comments are always appreciated!
by supertwigs | Jul 1, 2011 | Books, Creativity, Education, Environment, Goals, Health, Literature, Nature, Parenting, Photography, Writing |
First off, I am at the conclusion of a wonderful day.
I spent the day with my children, enjoying the Canada Day celebrations in our town (happy birthday, Canada!). For some reason, I felt centred today. Relaxed and able to embrace things like dawdling (and having to carry my 3 year old around), making lunch (actually enjoying the down time of preparing a healthy meal for my family) and having no particular purpose or goals for our time (outside of enjoying ourselves). Me at my best. And (surprise, I know) I got my son at his best this way, too. I can’t really recall, but I’m going to say it was a day without tantrums.
My last post was about re-focusing on my goals. After all, tracking my goals is one of the reasons I started this blog in the first place. So, to follow up, I took a look at the goals I have set for myself since the new year:
1. Create a creative space (a place in my home where I can feel inspired and do good creative work)
2. Daily tea ritual (enjoy a cup of tea, centre myself, and remind myself of what really matters, daily)
3. Carve out an hour a day for myself (most often I seem to use this to blog, or read)
4. Focus more on self-care (to stave off “dead-eyed Mom” syndrome)
5. Write poetry (an ode to my high school self)
6. Contribute to MCP Project 52 (in a effort to practice photography on a weekly basis)
7. Write a novel (in a month)
8. Start (and, presumably, continue) running (Hmm… maybe there’s a loophole here)
9. Write at night (after the kids are in bed – the only sane moment of my blissfully chaotic days)
10. Early to bed, early to rise (okay, I only flirted with this one, but darn if it doesn’t keep rearing it’s ugly head)
11. Write a guide for Canadian homeschoolers (a goal that has grown and morphed, but remains)
12. Chart my journey with the earth (as in, create greener habits, and keep track of my progress)
13. Embrace thrift (buy less, play more!)
14. Become a professional mom (but remain constantly learning)
15. Start a family nature club
16. (I think this is my favourite one) Remember to be constantly amazed!
Which brings me back to (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti…)… my wonderful day.
I think I did it today – I remained constantly amazed. I loved watching my kids interact with the world today. I was present, and I so enjoyed their company. For themselves. As distinct and beautiful beings. And, in doing so, I enjoyed myself so much more.
I recall, when starting out on this blog, that I wanted to live a life that followed both whims and passions. Re-reading my goals for the year, I think I have happened upon just that. I have delved into things I had only dabbled into before (nature appreciation, homeschooling, writing, personal health). These whims have morphed into passions, and intersect in the most remarkable ways.
So, for the rest of the year, I will focus on those stated goals and habits I feel compelled to work on. But, I will also remain open to new whims. Because I couldn’t have predicted what life has thrown at me so far this year, and I don’t think I would have wanted to. There has been so much wonder and beauty in the discovery.
And now for a (short) book recommendation. Read Toot & Puddle: On Top of the World, by Holly Hobbie, and love how the random whims of these two pigs lead them to Nepal. I hope to be so open to life’s adventures – both little and large.
And so. How does goal-setting work for you? Do you have an encouraging story of whims and passions to share?
- Cultivate Your Passions. (happiness-project.com)
Hi! I’m Kelly Woods, writer, mother & librarian. I write about beauty, creativity, green living and lifestyle design to help others live a life of inspiration, too.