Simple Steps to Happiness

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” ― Kahlil Gibran

I came across this article today that outlines 50 Steps to Simple Happiness. It was written for New York magazine, so a lot were geared towards that region, but some are definitely note-worthy. Here were a few of my favorites:

2. “Make your bed. Go figure, but outer order contributes to inner calm. Especially if you’re living in a small space—but even if you’re living in a gigantic loft. Start each day with a concrete, albeit tiny (and therefore manageable!), accomplishment.” —Gretchen Rubin, Author, The Happiness Project

4. “Leave your mouth in that slightly upturned position it takes after saying ‘Cheez Whiz.’ It’s a relaxed, confident look that will convince other people you know what you’re doing.” —Debra Benton, Executive Coach

12. If you see a parking cop working his or her way up the street, put a quarter into someone’s expired meter.

15. Tone your midsection in transit. “When standing on the subway, knit your front ribs together and zip up an imaginary zipper as if you had on a very tight pair of jeans. Or when you’re in a cab, tighten an imaginary seat belt from hip bone to hip bone. You’ll end up with a strong midsection, toned abdominals, and a strong back and spine.” —Kristin Mcgee, Pilates and Yoga Instructor

16. “Eat one ounce of dark chocolate a day. It’s the new superfood.” —Dr. Jeffrey Morrison, Integrative Medicine and Nutrition

19. “Give the people pushing in the subway or rushing in the streets the benefit of the doubt by imagining that it is really important for them to get where they are going.” —Rabbi Irwin Kula, President, National Jewish Center for Learning And Leadership

23. “When you’re in an elevator, put down the BlackBerry and engage in small talk. There is simply no social-networking site that can replace that connection.” —Faye Rogaski, Professor of Communications, NYU

26. Work out while you work. “At your desk, take five minutes to do back exercises—scapula retractions. Put your arms straight out in front of you and pull your shoulder blades together to get blood flowing and reduce tightness. Do shoulder rolls back and forth to increase circulation.” —Robert Morea, Personal Trainer, Great Jones Studio

32. “Carry yourself more erect. Poor posture is a self-fulfilling prophecy of gloom. You can improve your outlook and confidence simply by improving your posture.” —Eva Pelegrin

47. “Paint your walls yellow, a color associated with cheerfulness and sunlight—not a bad thing in the dreary days of winter.” —Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute

I hope you all have a happy day!

Simply,
MJ

I'll be your leading lady :)

“Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts.”
― Charles Dickens

I have spent an extremely lazy weekend drooling over the likes of these fellas (thank you ABC Family movies):

James Marsden

He first caught my eye when he appeared in The Notebook. That was always my biggest problem with that movie. I secretly rooted for this guy to win. I couldn't help it -- I know that defeats the point of the movie, with Noah and Alli being "star-crossed lovers." I think it's the classic, rugged good looks. The square jaw, dark hair...and I mean, look at those eyes. C'mon. How could you resist? Noah had that nasty beard going on.

Channing Tatum

I became a bigger fan of this guy after seeing Dear John. But you can't forget the moves he busted in Step Up, either. I think Channing has a little bit of the boyish good looks and the bad boy going on. Lethal combination if you ask me. Factoid for the day: Did you know that he married his co-star from Step Up, Jenna Dewan? I didn't. I wonder what happened to her, because he seems to be on the rise and I haven't seen her since that movie.

Obviously I've been lacking in male company since I've been ogling over characters from Nicholas Sparks' movies. Haha. But they are pretty irresistible! Who would be on your lists?!?!

Simply,
MJ

P.S. I feel like I should give photo credits, but I honestly just Googled their names and clicked "Images." So I don't really know who to give the credit to!

Happy Mardi Gras!

“True love doesn't have a happy ending, because true love never ends. Letting go is one way of saying I love you.” - Unknown

I admit it...I'm a terrible blogger. But in my defense, I had a busy week! Since my last post I worked a 14 hour day because of an event, started physical therapy, had a couple of meetings, then a good friend came in town for the weekend! We went to ESPN College GameDay, grabbed lunch and dinner and drinks with friends, went to a basketball game....then I spent Valentine's Day watching Lifetime movies, eating sweets and carbs, and doing absolutely nothing -- obviously no time for blogging there.

In addition, over the weekend a friend of mine from high school passed away in a one-vehicle accident. He was in the circle of guys that my circle of girls ran around with back in the day. He's been dating the same girl since high school, so I'm sure she is absolutely DEVASTATED. They think he fell asleep at the wheel while driving home from work around 4:00 a.m., hitting a guard rail and a pole. He wasn't wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle.

Lewis Lamb
5/13/87 - 2/13/10

Since his accident early Saturday morning there have been 2 more accidents on the parkways in western Kentucky where the driver or passenger wasn't wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the car. One other girl died, while one guy was lucky enough to survive. It's just a reminder to please, please wear your seatbelts. You never know what a difference it could make in your life or the lives of those you love. That's my rant from the day and is all I'll say about that.

On a happier note...I had a 2 hour delay this morning because of the snow (perks of the job) AND my amazing roommate made me one of her infamous lattes to start the day :) Seriously...her lattes rival Starbucks and McDonald's any day of the week. They're delicious.

I'm trying to decide what I'll do tonight to treat myself for Mardi Gras! What are your plans?!?!?

Laissez les bons temps roulez!!! (Let the good times roll!)

Simply,
MJ

No Love in Lexington

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” ―Mother Teresa

My dearest readers...all 5 of you...I'm so sorry I've neglected you the last few days! I'm already scheming up a few ideas for posts, but I'm exhausted tonight after working 14 hours yesterday and getting up early for physical therapy. So I'll leave you with this for today...

Lexington ranked DEAD LAST in a study on best cities to find love in the USA. Number 104 out of the country's 104 largest cities. We should get a prize for that. The study looked at things like divorce rates, social lives, and number of single people. (WKYT website)

Explains a lot, huh? Maybe I should move to Long Beach, CA -- the number 1 city.

Simply,
MJ

Reality Check: We're Growing Up

"Love is the most dangerous discourse in the world. It is daring and difficult because it makes you vulnerable, but if you experience it, it is the peak of human existence." - Unknown

So last night I had to work late because the local young alumni club held a Sewing 101 class, which ended up being a good time! Afterwards, I called one of my best friends from high school. We were just chatting about things -- namely her ex-boyfriend's insanely jealous WIFE -- and the conversation went something like this:

MJ: I mean, if you were still talking to him and trying to get him back I MIGHT understand, but it isn't like there is anything between you two except your past. AND you are in a serious relationship with someone else!

K: I know. I mean Brock and I even talk about engagement. Not any time soon. But we talk about it. He told me the other day that I would be married by the time I'm 24.

(At this point, for some reason, I almost lost it.)
M: Omigosh. I can't believe that. That makes me want to cry.

K: Why does that make you want to cry? I don't think I'll be engaged for a full year, but I at least want to be engaged for a few months. So that probably means we'll get married not this summer, but the next.

(At this point, I actually started crying.)

I have NO idea what my problem was. Maybe I was just exhausted from the 12.5 hour work day, because it isn't the right time for PMS hormones. (K: What is wrong with you? Are you about to start your period?) They weren't sad tears, though...I'm so happy for her that she has found such a great guy that she can see herself spending the rest of her life with. She deserves it. But it has never seemed so REAL before she said it right then. Every other time we've talked about engagements and marriage it was hypothetical and in the distant future. We weren't ever serious about it! I've had other friends get engaged and married, but she's my first really close friend to be in this situation. Marriage still seems so far away and unrealistic for me. It just hit me hard in that moment that one of my oldest and best friends will be getting engaged at some point this year. I still know all the embarassing things she's done in the last 10 years....she can't be getting MARRIED. I guess it was just a reality check. We really are growing up.

I'm a mess.

Simply,
MJ

How to Decide Who You Marry....

"A life without love is like a year without summer." - Swedish Proverb

...Insights of Children

(This was a chain e-mail that went around, so you may have read this before. I found it today on this blog. It brought a smile to my face so I hope you enjoy it just as much!)

1. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?

-You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. — Alan, age 10

-No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry… God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with.

– Kristen, age 10

2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.

– Camille, age 10

3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF 2 PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.

–Derrick, age 8

4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

Both don’t want any more kids.

– Lori, age 8

5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

-Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough..

– Lynnette, age 8

-On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.

– Martin, age 10

6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

-When they’re rich.

– Pam, age 7

-The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that.

- – Curt, age 7

-The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.

- – Howard, age 8

7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.

– Anita, age 9

8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN’T GET MARRIED?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn’t there?

– Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is ……..

9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck .

– Ricky , age 10

Simply Loving....

"The way to know life is to love many things."

And right now, I am simply loving these things....

These return address stamps found here.

If only I had a permanent address, I would buy one of these. It would also be a great house-warming gift or wedding gift for someone! I do know of a few weddings coming up...hmmm.....

This navy Romona Keveza dress worn by Glee's Lea Michele at the Grammy's.

I would love to get my hands on this dress and wear it for a special occasion. Heck, I would even wear it to sleep at this point, if that was my only excuse to wear it. It's a littly sassy without being risque. And Lea looks stunning in it.

Converse All-Stars (a.k.a. Chuck Taylor's)

(image from planning...forever events )

I don't know why, but I just want a pair right now. There is just something quirky and classic about them. I could picture them with a sweatshirt or t-shirt just to run errands in or go to a sporting event. Don't judge me :)

Claddagh rings.

They have a Celtic origin, and mean either "With these two hands I give you my heart and crown it with my loyalty" or "Let love and friendship reign forever."

Maybe it's my Irish roots (there are a disproportionate number of redheads in my family) but I think these rings are neat, and they have been around for centuries. They aren't diamonds and pearls (which will always hold a special place in every girl's heart), but even Jennifer Aniston has been spotted wearing one. Again, kind of quirky - I must be going through a phase.

That's all for now....just a few things I've been lusting after lately!

Simply,
MJ

Dear February...

You snuck up on me so quickly! It seems like just yesterday I was celebrating Christmas! You come as a swift reminder to pick up my slack on some New Year's Resolutions (although I am quite proud of my efforts on a few others). But you also remind me that spring is right around the corner...oh, happy days!

In your honor, I'm going to try to include a "love" quote with each post this month. (Key word: try.) First up:

"Be careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came from Adam's rib, not from his feet to be walked on, not from his head to be made superior, but from the side of him to be made equal. Taken from under the arm so she should always be protected, and close to his heart for her to always be loved."

I'm not sure who this is by. I've heard that it's taken from the Hebrew Talmud. But I chose it because I'm in a great mood tonight and attended Theology on Tap again earlier today. T.O.T. covered a few controversial issues tonight, but my favorite take away was this: Our society is leaning towards a Principle of Tolerance. Tolerance has risen as the standard for the secular world. But how does that affect our faith? How can you exist in a tolerant world and still be moral? We tolerate adultry, divorce, abortion, the death penalty....but we don't have to be tolerant. It brings to mind another quote: "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." Just some brain food :)

Sleep sweet, blog world!

Simply,
MJ