Wednesday, March 27, 2013

the key to happiness.

22 Things Happy People Do Differently

1. Don’t hold grudges.
Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.
2. Treat everyone with kindness.
Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.
3. See problems as challenges.
The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.
4. Express gratitude for what they already have.
There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.
5. Dream big.
People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.
7. Speak well of others.
Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.
8. Never make excuses.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.
9. Get absorbed into the present.
Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.
10. Wake up at the same time every morning.
Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.
11. Avoid social comparison.
Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.
12. Choose friends wisely.
Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.
13. Never seek approval from others.
Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.
14. Take the time to listen.
Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.
15. Nurture social relationships.
A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.
16. Meditate.
Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.
17. Eat well.
Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.
18. Exercise.
Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.
19. Live minimally.
Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.
20. Tell the truth.
Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.
21. Establish personal control.
Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.
22. Accept what cannot be changed.
Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you can control and change it for the better.
(kacey.ism 281)

Sunday, March 24, 2013

some say that i'm a dreamer.

This weekend I had my final dance concert at BYU.
It was a bittersweet experience. 
There was joy, excitement, anxiety, a little relief, and a few tears too.
I never thought I would dance my way through college,
but it has been the biggest blessing in my life. 
Dance has taught me something new every single day. 
I love it with a true passion. 
I ache for it. I live for it. I am alive through it. 

I am a dreamer who has seen some dreams come true. 
I have danced side by side with people who share my passion.
I have been taught by amazing people who have given me so much more than dance. 
I have been cheered on by the most supportive friends and family there is.
And above all, I have parents that always believed in me.
They never missed a performance and never denied me any opportunities to do what I love.
They have truly made all my dreams come true. 

xoxo
(kacey.ism 280)

Sunday, March 17, 2013

30 years.

Happy Anniversary to these lovebirds!
They have been married 30 years today! 
I'm so grateful for my amazing parents and their amazing marriage.
They are kind, generous, fun, adventurous, silly, sweet, and so so happy. 
30 years today, 30 more to come!
xoxo

(kacey.ism 279)

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Ho Hey.

I'm just loving everything about The Lumineers right now. 
Enjoy.

(kacey.ism 278)

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

because it's sunny outside.

It was 55 degrees outside today. 
55 degrees has never felt so warm. 

So...some happy thoughts for this sunny day:
  dancing because I love it so. 
  a clean car
  new Essie nail polish 
  music that reaches my soul (thank you mumford & sons)
  feeling an itch to travel to new places
  lovely people that ooze loveliness 
  feeling ready to pack up winter boots and coats
  eating an entire veggie tray with Ann

(kacey.ism 277)

Friday, March 1, 2013

choose happiness.

March is finally here. March 1st might be my favorite day of the year. Spring is finally coming!
When I flipped my calendar this morning I was greeted by this lovely picture. 
Choose happiness. 
It seems so simple right?
Sometimes I think I'm choosing happiness, 
but in reality I'm probably choosing easiness or simple or familiar. 
Am I really choosing to do things that will make me the happiest I can be? 
This month I'm going to choose happiness. 
Sometimes it just takes a little push to realize you were missing out on something amazing. 

(kacey.ism 276)