Dont' cry because it's over...

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”

      -Dr Seuss

Everyday, amazing things happen. But as rational and logical human beings, we are aware that most of them will, eventually, come to an end. For example, when we go on holiday, we know that we will go home soon; or even when we see a butterfly flying past, that it will soon leave us. 

Things leaving us or coming to an end is part of being a human. Therefore, we must enjoy the things that we have while they are with us, and when they are gone, we must remember them in their prime. 

Of course, it is natural to grieve if a loved ones life has come to an end, or if the love of our life does not love us back, but eventually, we should and will be able to look back on the time that we had together and remember the happy times. As Dr Seuss put it, we shall be happy because it happened, not sad because it is over. As the age old saying goes; it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. 

So, as you go about your day, take note of the important things in life, even if they are fleeting. Say thank you to the bus driver who waited an extra half second for you to reach the doors. Acknowledge the door man that has always been there. Smile at the barista who always hands you your coffee. And smile simply because you are alive and well. 

One day, some of these things may be gone, and the only thing that we will be able to do is remember the good times; so commit the good times to memory!

Be the change

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world”

      -Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi certainly lived by this quote; leading India to independence, and inspiring non-violence, civil rights, and freedom across the world. 

We can all learn a little something from this gentleman! If you want to see something change in your world, you need to be able at least kick-start this movement. 

If you are feeling down or bored, pick up the phone and call a friend for a chat. If you are feeling uninspired, pick up a colouring pencil and see where it takes you, and if you are feeling like your voice doesn't matter, then pick something that you are passionate about and start a blog!

Small steps can lead to big changes without you even realising it! 

A lot of the time, we complain about the state of the places that we live in but don't do anything about it. For example, how many people complain that the youth of today do not respect their elders, but then fail to help the poor old lady with her shopping bags? How many people complain that the gap between the poor and the rich is too large, but then tell the homeless man that they have no change?

I am not saying that we need to start a revolution, but doing something small each day can change the way you think. I recently read, in a text book, that we should not try to change the way that we think in order to change the way that we act; but that we should change the way that we act in order to change the way we think.

So, I am putting this question to you; What have you done today to make yourself proud?

If only we stopped trying so hard to be happy...

“If only we stopped trying so hard to be happy, we could have a pretty good time”

    - Edith Wharton

I think that this quote speaks for itself. There are so many people, myself included, that spend so long searching for happiness that we miss the little things that happiness comprises of. 

We are taught through the media that we need a big house, nice car, and fancy clothes in order to be happy, therefore, we all try to get big, important jobs in order to pay for these things. 

But how many people are truly happy once they get there? If I had that much money and that many material things, I would be looking over my shoulder, worrying that someone was going to try to nick it!

How many of you stop to enjoy the sun on your face, or the feeling of gravel crunching beneath your shoes? 

Little things can build up to a lifetime of happiness. Appreciate life as it goes by, or you may miss it altogether. 

We were all meant to shine, as children do

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. You playing small does not serve the world, there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It is not just in you, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

      - Marianne Williamson

This quote has been my favourite quote since I saw it in Coach Carter years ago. I put on the film one evening, not knowing that it would forever change my mindset. Shrinking so that others wouldn't feel insecure was my default, but no longer. 

As you go about your day, remember that outwardly being as bright and happy as you feel on the inside can inspire other people to do the same. Remember that a smile is more contagious that a frown; that a one second smile in a strangers direction can change their mood for hours afterwards. 

Playing big and reaching for the stars is just the kind of infection that we all need at this time of year!