Why You're Not Happy

Happy New Year everyone! I know, I know, I've neglected this blog for quite some time. Been busy lately with another career - I am managing 4 careers concurrently ;) If being a student is a career in itself, that makes it 5. Oh well, I put this to myself and I think it's one cause for not being happY.

I came across this article about common barriers to personal happYness and fulfillment and how to overcome them. In brief, there are 6 major barriers:

1. Complexity (Solution: Simplify)
2. A Breakneck Pace (Solution: Take a Pause)
3. Negativity (Solution: Let go)
4. Despair (Solution: Stay hopeful)
5. Suppressing sadness (Solution: Feel the real)
6. Navel-gazing (Solution: Connect with others)

I basically try to fight these barriers but of course, I am only just human. One friend told me he was simplifying everything in his life, and he is hopeful this would make him happY. I wish him luck, and I hope I could do the same. A line from the same article struck me, that "happiness is a little like falling in love, that you can't make it happen." True, I've fallen in love without realizing it. I am happY at times without putting effort into it. But as they say, some good things never last. It's such an irony to have found one of the sources of your happYness, only to lose it in a bittersweet ending. The question now is, how does one sustain happYness? or better yet, how does one become happYer? That's the whole point of my quest. And this new year brings hope for me...

For the full article, click this link.

The 8th day of the 8th month in 2008

There are just too many 8s today! But I was quite busy because we have a wedding shoot tomorrow. So I ended up coming to bed early and not attending any party at all! Oh well, there'll be other times. What's with the date anyway? Couples getting married, people organizing parties, etc. So next year will be 9-9-9. I keep joking to my friends that 12-12-12 will be reserved for my wedding date!!! Like duh! I better find a hubby first?!

Anyway, still a busy bee. Not attending my PhD classes tomorrow but I am up for 2 reports next Saturday. Oh well, at least these activities keep my mind off a certain someone hehe ;)

Also, just bought 2 books from my favorite authors - Brida by Paulo Coehlo and The Appeal by John Grisham. I reserve the plot and my commentaries for my upcoming posts. So excited to finish reading them...better reading material than my stratman and business ethics books hehe ;)

Busy Bee

I'm taking a few minutes off from my many reports to prepare (yes, I did enroll with the PhD program). I am literally swamped with things to do that I may have neglected this blog for a while. But so far, it's a worthwhile experience to be a student again.

Between grad school, teaching and the two businesses, I barely have time to mull over my current disappointments (they still do get to me sometimes). I have finished yet another album layout (see image above) for the photography biz and we're starting development on our long-awaited project for the web development biz. Plus, I have watched all the latest movies and I still manage to go on coffee or gimmicks probably twice a week! Truly a busy bee!

Proud or confused???

It's been a while since I put a grin on my face and smile to myself...proud of what I have accomplished. Learning the ropes of this photography biz entails a lot of time and effort. But thanks to my good friend and biz partner, everything was made simple. Though I cannot say I have untangled the complications of Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Lightroom, it is a far cry from what little I know months ago. The upcoming wedding bookings will only hone my skills, and I am looking forward to learning more and being better at this craft.

I am also now faced with the decision to take up PhD in Management. A lot of people tell me that I am insatiable for learning, and that I never tire of school. Am I spreading myself too thin? Will this contribute to my overall happYness? These questions I have yet to answer, 'til the 13th of June atleast (this being the last day of enrollment hehe).

Oh well, I believe the things going on in my life all have a place and meaning in it. And that I should just enjoy the ride...and as years pass by, I will be wiser, and hopefully...happYer ;)

My New Baby

Once again, a month has passed since my last post...and I got some great news! I have a new baby (note: i am very much single at the moment). My new baby is a business venture with my brother and a couple of friends who are into photography. So we set up our team, and our studio just last week. Thus the crazy activities I've been in lately has kept my schedule swamped. Also, I just bought a new gadget...my first mac, and I'm happY with my latest acquisition :-) So many new things to learn, so many functions to explore...yet it makes me happY. That's the whole point of this, ain't it? But of course, following my commandments, I shouldn't get too attached, right?

Keeping things light and simple ;)

Lately, my days are filled with cheerful moments and unabashed happYness. For whatever reason, I smile to myself and really feel good. I don't know to whom or where should I attribute this feeling...I guess it is brought about by my attitude of keeping things light and simple. My life has been full of drama for as long as I can remember, and now is the perfect time to leave all those behind and start anew. I am not making a complete makeover of myself or my life, as I said at the start of this blog, I am only aspiring to be happYer. And I am slowly discovering that dwelling in the past sometimes make me feel sad, especially when I remember those times when I felt so down and alone. I mean, reminiscing them wouldn't change anything. I couldn't go back in time and undo what has already been done. So the best way is to derive my learnings from those experiences and enjoy the 'here and now.'

Been Awhile...

Wow, can't believe it's been a month since I last posted here. Well, been quite busy lately - and I hope everything I'm doing contributes to this happYness project. I haven't set my monthly targets yet, but January was all about cleaning my mess - in my room, in my personal life, in my financial status. This February, hmm let's see, being the love month, perhaps spread love? hehe

Anyhow, I've been introduced to The Secret, which changed my whole perception on things. I mean, I now believe that everything that has happened in my life - good or bad - I have attracted in my life. So I intend to attract only the good things from now on. I've tested the law of attraction with small things - and it works! When I'm ready, I can move on to greater things.

All in all, this project is a work-in-progress. This is just the beginning of wonderful things and people to come in my life...and I am so looking forward to that ;-)