Friday Thoughts

My week has been pretty up and down and that is not always a great feeling. I'd much rather have a week full of consistency, but alas, things do happen.

I have come to find that one of my better thinking spots is my car. Today while I was driving the title of my blog popped into my head. I thought about what it meant to me, why I chose it, and how others could be influenced by it. Some Blissful Chaos. Most would probably say it contradicts itself. I however, think differently.

In our lives, we need to have chaos. It is a natural part of going through our days, months, and years. Chaos will occur at the most inopportune times, but we should be more welcoming to it. Without chaos, we can't know bliss. We can't know serenity and the happiness that comes with it. Bliss means many different things to people. Some people find bliss in the activities they do, some feel it associated with emotions, and it is important to figure out what bring you bliss.

I usually associate it with love and safety. Love is very encompassing it makes me feel safe, happy, warm, and appreciated. Love comes from many places: family, friends, boyfriend/girlfriend, and even our pets. I know that my little Charlie bear always brings me that feeling, in the tiniest of ways!

So we should really start to embrace the chaos, and not become so wound up about it. Of course there will always be days when it gets to much. Just don't let it stop you from trying to experience the good and happiness in your days. Don't let it stop you from reaching a goal, finishing a project, or even telling someone that you love them. Remember, without chaos we wouldn't know bliss.

Currently Reading: May

I thought I would do something a little different and do a post about what I am reading this month. I am one of those people who can read two different books at the same time. I don't know why but it doesn't seem to confuse me. Although if it is a really good book or a more difficult book to read, I'll stick with one.

This month I have been reading the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and Inside Apple by Adam Lashinsky. Truthfully, I started the Happiness Project in April and I just started Inside Apple today.
I am really enjoying both books though; they are subjects I hadn't ever planned on reading about.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin started with a bus ride and a Aha! moment. She wanted to test different aspects of life and see how and why they made her happy, and ultimately if they could make her happier. She sets up a year long project and assigns different aspects like fun, money, friends, and love to each month.

It is a pretty genius idea, and it has branched off into her offering templates and plans on how to do your own project. At 22, I don't really think I'm ready to tackle such a big thing. I'm still figuring out what makes me happy in the first place, I don't really want to start questioning it, but the book has given me some great ways to improve my mood.

Ms. Rubin does a lot of research so it isn't just hearsay, there is an actual basis for everything she is doing within her project.

Today, I started Inside Apple by Adam Lashinsky and I'm pretty impressed almost 3 chapters in. It is not a look into Steve Jobs so much as it is a look into what Apple as a company has done to run as a business and how those tactics have made them so successful. We get a great look into the atmosphere of the employees and the headquarters. We do see a lot of Steve Jobs and how he made choices and how he truly decided to run Apple, but the book delves into so much more.

Like I said, I'm only 3 chapters in but I think it will be pretty amazing to see inside a company that has more money than our country.

What are you guys reading? I have such a large pile of books to still read and an even bigger list on Barnes and Noble that I've yet to buy!

[Pictures from Barnes and Noble's website - bn.com]

Happiness: Where has it gone?

     I just started reading a book called "The Happiness Project", by Gretchen Rubin. I have to say I really like what I've read so far. Here is the synopsis on the back cover, since I think it gives a better description than I can:

"Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. 'The days are long, but the years are short', she realized. 'Time is passing, and I'm not focusing enough on the things that really matter.'In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project. 


In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference."

     So as I sit here eating a bowl of Cheerios, no milk, I can't help but wonder about my own happiness. If I look at my life as a whole, I'd probably say I was content. Looking at different aspects of my life though, I would say differently.

     My family, my boyfriend, and my dog? I'm extremely happy, I couldn't start to think about my life without them. Work, school, how I feel most days? Not so great. I do like my job, but it is part-time and it isn't what I plan on doing for the rest of my life. The job search is more difficult than ever right now, and for a student almost ready to graduate with very little experience...well you get the picture.  School? I'm at a crossroads right now about whether or not to get my graduate, and I am not even sure what I'd go for yet. Plus, I technically should have been graduating this May but alas it won't happen until December.

     As far as how I feel? Honestly, I feel like crap. I've been physically drained and emotionally drained. I am always tired because I'm constantly running from thing to thing. I'm always in pain because of my Fibromyalgia plus my shoulder hasn't been getting better as fast as I'd hoped. I don't complain to much about it, maybe a comment here or there, but I know that complaining does nothing good for me.

     So maybe Gretchen Rubin is on to something. Maybe we should all take the time to examine our happiness and make a plan to fix what we are unhappy with. As I am starting to learn from her book, most problems come from within. We can't change anyone else, but we can change ourselves and that may be a project I have to take on.