How I Became The Happiest Person I know

You can only change you.
You have no control over other people.
You have control over your time and your thoughts.
People aren’t thinking of you, your beliefs, thoughts, practices, etc when they are making up their own minds. And just as you went through your own processes that brought you to you own conclusions, so did those around you.
And when it gets hard for you to face, deal with or comprehend where others stand, spend time focusing on yourself and put some energy back into the goals you want to reach. Focus on the things that you can change. And if that fails, put some love and forgiveness out into the world and towards yourself too.
You’re not here to save the world. You’re not here to guide the way.
Your purpose is to live and do it the best that you know how. And when you know better, you do better.

And at the end of it all, you know in your heart that all the peace you will ever need is already inside you right now.

Really?

I’m here?

I made it. 

That’s Machu Picchu? That’s it?!

Meh… I just climbed a mountain! 

Those were my thoughts when I made it to the Sun Gate and saw Machu Picchu. 

I lost my breath. I struggled. It rained. I was so sick, I couldn’t keep any food down. I was weak. 

And I still made it. 

Nothing beats that kind of sense of achievement. Hard earned evidence that there’s not much you can’t do when you put your mind to it. 

For the last 10 months I was living in a flat share with 7 other people (two of them being quite hard to live with) without a lounge room, a tiny kitchen which also doubled as a loundry and occasionally, I’d have some friendly mice come and visit - oooh, how lucky can a girl be?! My room was fairly large for London standards, with my own little shower and a kitchenette, which I stored my clothes in as I had no tall boy or drawers, only one small IKEA cupboard and a computer desk. 

I had been wanting a new place for a while, however nothing was available in my price range and for some odd reason, something kept me tied to that room.

 Finally, through the help of a friend and devine timing, I moved into my new place just before Christmas. A three bedroom flat, shared only between four people, myself included, with a lounge, a spacious kitchen, and my own room with a built in wardrobe, would you believe.

New spaces can be a bit tricky - they can take a while to get used to. However, I had the most wonderful experience last night and I want to share it with you, so here I go…

 I came home last night, put on a load of washing, a pot on the stove to make some pasta and then I started cleaning my room… just some random stuff that I didn’t get to. So all of that is happening, pasta is ready which I stir with some natural yoghurt (Lebanese style of macaroni) and it tastes warm and unreal and reminds me of home. THEN! I sit down ON A COUCH in front of the TV and watch French Prince of Bel Air, feeling every inch of my body relax into the couch and enjoying every single morsel of the macaroni. I can’t tell you how pleasurable it was. Then! I pour myself a glass of red and sit in front of the TV and watch more and sip on my red wine and do nothing. Wow. Then a load of washing finishes – I wash the big red doona cover you gave me and hang up the previous load. Meanwhile still sipping on the red. I do the washing up and give the kitchen a bit of a clean then continue cleaning my room and actually get through sorting out that pile of paperwork I’ve been avoiding for weeks. The sighs are endless. Stevie Wonder is playing on the ipod, I have lit my vanilla scented candles, and I have my lamps on so my room is so warmly lit. I hang up the doona cover. It’s about 10:45pm. Ok ready for this?! House mates arrive home!! that’s right!! No-one was home so I had the whole house to myself while all of that was happening. Oh dear lord, can’t describe the feeling. Music switched off now. Get ready for bed. A quick phone call to a mate to say goodnight and then I tuck myself into bed. Amen.

In the words of my darling friend, Steven, living in London is like a right of passage. And I think that living in my previous flat was a 10-month reminder of how to appreciate the small things.

I may not have much in the way of assets, but I have something that no amount of money can buy. I have peace in my home.

Choose your mates wisely… don’t be afraid to sift out the diamonds from the rough. It really pays off, as I’ve discovered.

I won’t comment too much on this post. I wanted to include an email I received from one of my dearest friends this morning. Talk about having the greatest friends in the worlds… left me a little speechless. I’m so incredibly fortunate to have so many loving people in my life.

I would just like to say that you have outdone yourself yet again!  I have seen the kitchen tea invitation and it is just amazing! You have made the lead up to my wedding so exciting with all of the effort your putting in and I will never be thankful enough.  I love you so so much, you are the most selfless giving person I have ever met in my life, and I thank the powers that be that I have had the honour of knowing you.  You are my best friend, and I love you.  So again I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Now tell me that ain’t worth naming yourself ‘the happiest person I know?’

Heart you EP…. soon to be EE. :-)  xxx

Just a quick bevy down at Wahoo in Putney with Amy and Fin.. it’s enough to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Get out of your house. Go for a walk. Have a beer with a mate. Just do something that can be counted as ‘living’.

Happy Birthday Finlay!   I dedicate Step 4 to you, on your bithday. x

:)

Just do it.

Go on.

I dare you!

It costs nothing, and I swear you’ll feel good. And if you were already feeling fine, you’ll feel even better. Smiling automatically makes you think of something worth smiling about, or will just make you just laugh at yourself. Nothing wrong with putting your ego on the shelf for 5 seconds.

Smiling is just a fun thing to do!

Go on. Have a crack…

Ok, now isn’t that better. :-)

One of my favourite songs… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rkNBH5fbMk

The sunshine of my life and my best friend, Minnie Moussa, Age 5

I once received an email that contained an image of a dog and child bonding, with the following text:

DOG: The only being on earth who loves you more than himself.

I can’t tell you how much I believe in that. I’ve been so fortunate to have had Minnie in my life - she never fails to bring a smile to my face and is absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, my bestest friend in the whole world.

Animals are just that beautiful. For me, especially dogs. There’s no greater friend on earth.

And really… HOW COULD ANYONE NOT SMILE WHEN THEY SEE THAT FACE??!!!

So, yeah… if you wanna get happy… get a dog. It will change your life for good! 

(But please, be a responsible pet owner!)

J x

(That’s me in Dubrovnik. Photo by Neal Ebbett.)

For the last couple of months, I’ve had regular reminders of what my life looks like -

1. I have air in my lungs.

2. I wake up in a bed, with a roof over my head.

3. I own a wardrobe full of clothes to keep me warm (and looking good!).

4. I have a wonderful family and beautiful friends.

5. I’m able to see the wonder in so many things on this beautiful planet.

6. I live in one of the world’s most exciting cities in the world.

7. I have a job. Correction - I have TWO jobs. (ie; I have the capacity to earn a living.)

8. I can see (God & Man’s beautiful art), hear (amazing music), taste (mum’s cooking), smell (my birthday flowers) and touch (my dog’s fur coat and give her cuddles).

9. I have beautiful hair. (Odd and superficial I know, but give me a break - it’s my “thing”, ok?!)

10. I am a decent person with good intentions.

These a things that I’m grateful for every single day of my life. I try not to take for granted the fortune and blessings that I have in my life.

This simple list is just the beginning; these aspects of my life are at the foundation of my gratitude. Perhaps that’s why I love life so much, even through the not-so-great times.

I really do believe I’m one of the luckiest people in the world.

(I’d love to know what you’re grateful for.)

My darling, my sunshine, my joy… my Minnie. <3