Friday, August 26, 2016

Happiness: Not as rare as a Magikarp

Like most fads, PokémonGo seems to slowly be running its course, the hype nearly depleted as players continue to play in silence, halfheartedly.

Admittedly, I'm still seeking to fill my Pokédex - again, halfheartedly.

The cycle of a fad is much like any grandiose change in lifestyles - old habits are not easily forgotten and the new take 21 days to truly sink in. While one can't magically make it a habit after hurling over that 3-week threshold, by then it has begun to become ingrained into the mind as a new habit, hopefully offsetting and taking place of the former.



Little changes are the best way to seek big improvement. Small, seemingly menial twists on the mindset dial can lead to bigger and better {as cliché as that sounds} things.

On a happy, happy note:

Seeing friends is well worth every second of insanity and squeezing in as much homework and work so I can truly enjoy the company of lovely people.




Paradrei kicked butt once again at the Angel's Rock Bar in Baltimore and mini reunion with the ever so lovely Anna!





Free tacos, great friends, good ol' rock 'n' roll : why we need that work/life balance.

xxxx

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Support Squad

Taking on the tribulations of the world alone is something not even Batman can do - he has the help of cheeky Alfred to keep him grounded and the Batmobile well maintained.

I'm thankful for the love and support of friends and family by my side who are there to celebrate the moments that need celebrated, grieve in times of mourning, offer a listening ear and wise words, and kick my a$$ when they suspect my path turning dark.



Mummy sent some goodies to feed my belly, Thank You notes for future interviews, goodies for Superman, and of course, it was all packed neatly into Loki and Athena's new jungle gym.

After being in a fog, mind befuddled by the effort of tryiing not to drown in the inept feelings I had of myself and the seemingly impossibly large bite of life I was attempting to chew and swallow, being challenged by a person in authority was potentially the shock I needed to shake me to my senses.

Depression hurts. Mentally, physically, emotionally. The one depressed is not the only one affected, but the ones surrounding the afflicted can be the catalysts of change, offering their kind hearts to help build the ladder out of the hole. Granted, it will take time, but it's time I'm willing to invest for happiness.



The BBL {Big Boss Lady} is back. For my fellow BBL's, enjoy a few laughs from this "advice" comic for women leadership then continue to do what you do best: kicking butt and paving the way for the next wave of women leaders.

While we can't remove all of the negativity from our lives, little changes will quickly add up. Looking at the bigger picture is opening my eyes again. I can do this.
  • 8/18 - bought my last Monster and it's been in the fridge ever since
  • 8/24 - back on the LoseIt! App to hold myself accountable
  • Ordered my first regimen of Rodan + Fields unblemish

New hair always ensures a mood boost and this darker, Merlot-colored mop is signifying a new beginning for my psyche.

While I'm not completely depriving myself of the "bad" stuff, aka the finer things in life, everything in moderation is going to be a new mantra, something with which I've had issues before. Finding ways to enjoy yummy beer while regaining that happy little 6-pack I used to have and of which I have only been able to maintain about a 1/3...


Cheers to the little happies in the world and the small changes to continuous improvement {business terms applying themselves to life}. And here's to completing my first term of MBA courses! 10 courses to go!


And, as always, my sidekicks keep me company while I try to figure out the puzzle of life.

xxxx

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Dating 101: Trust Essentials

Trust is the foundation of any relationship, whether that be with family, friends, significant other, and especially one's hairdresser.

With the drop of a few words or hidden pictures found through unkind ways with pure intentions, or unspoken plans later revealed, feelings can get hurt and emotions run rampart. When you love someone, it does not have to be unconditionally. There can be boundaries, there can be common courtesy rules, and one can have expectations.


Relationships should be a mixture of independence and co-dependence in the sense that each party should feel they are their own, unique individual capable of tackling the world one day at a time on their own terms, but having the love and support from the other for those moments of weakness or when a little reassurance that everything will be okay is needed. Each should complement the other half, not overbear or attempt to cage a free spirit.

Self-love, a difficult and taboo subject for me, is just as important as loving another. Without that ingredient, it's difficult to establish the mutual respect required between two parties. Fully appreciating oneself is just as crucial as appreciating the lovely people in one's life. Standing up for your heart is not the same as being combative or overbearing, but something that can strengthen the ties and help ensure both sides are happy, giving and receiving the love they deserve and crave.

Bottling it up won't help the situation even if it seems the easy way out.


Cats' love is pretty simple: they frolic about and alternate between grooming and kicking one another in the face, sometimes simultaneously. At the end of the day, the biting stops and they're love bugs and sometimes my sweethearts let me in on the snugs.


Understandably, human relationships are more complex, but I feel we make them unnecessarily so in comparison to fur babies. Case in point: I give Loki noms, and he gives me cuddles, win-win and I only receive the occasional bite to the face to remind me who's really in charge. I'm digging that kind of simplistic love because it works and doesn't leave a tear nor doubt.

When all else fails, coming home to kitty snuggles is never sad nor lonely.


A smile and new septum ring arriving in time for a good night with friends sure isn't sad nor lonely either :)


xxxx

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Funktown

Two beautiful kittens, Loki and Athena, and Mr. Theo safe in the loving hands of my kitty whispurrrer Gramps...these snuggle bugs are what keep me going lately and also provide the snuggling distraction from life's more unpleasant aspects {or from doing homework for a few minutes}.


Tonight I completed my first MBA course, the Legal Environment of Business, which was a particularly fascinating class to me having enjoyed Business Law so much and find the legalities of business, both domestic and foreign, rather interesting. Despite this feeling of accomplishment, the excitement seemed to be diminished as my motivation continues to deteriorate.

School has provided a positive stressor as I strive to do my best, knowing the classes will be enjoyable and applicable, and that it's a major stepping stone in my career. With multiple job applications in the pot on the chance of a happier work environment, even if it comes with a smaller paycheck, I'm pushing myself to believe that it will work out, that I won't be stuck due to circumstances.

Trust me, if financially feasible, I'd love to drop it all after using up my PTO and simply disappear, traveling the US with Loki bear in my front seat and the majority of my stuff either sold or in storage. C'est la vie, non?

I want to find that inner wild child again...I have not seen that carefree, gung-ho girl in a while or she remains dormant for the majority of the time, only coming out on special occasions. I find I hardly know myself anymore and it makes me want to crawl deeper inside the cocoon of inner sanctuary I've begun to build up again to keep the bad {and some good, too} out.

With so many happy things going well in my life, it's still difficult to fully appreciate these beautiful moving parts as I should because I'm sucked down in the mud by my own inhibitions and worrisome thoughts. Depression often does not allow one to put things into perspective as the average cognitive mind may...instead, the depressed are all too acute to the surroundings and negative cues of what is going and may go wrong.

However, while depression may come in phases, more prominent in certain moments and weakened demons depending on who is around, it is not something that cannot be overcome again and again. On that same token, the taboo of depression is not so readily discussed nor understood.

The will to happiness can be a strong one.

As Albus Dumbledore {J.K. Rowling, mind you} said:
Happiness can be found, if only it remembers to turn on the light.


xxx 

Monday, August 1, 2016

Self-Love & Kitten Snuggles

A blank canvas.

This is how every blog post begins as I sometimes struggle to put thought to fingers to Blogger.

Self-love has been a prevalent topic for me lately as I struggle to find that balance, among other juggling acts I'm holding down. It's easy to get down in the dumps when sh*t starts to hit the fan or life's responsibilities are bottle-necking for priority to be tackled.



The mirror still holds its status as arch-nemesis with my own mind standing firm as enemy #1 - the saying goes that we're our own worst critic and I agree this rings pretty true, yet we can also be our own cheerleader and motivator to push through the hardships and overwhelming times.

Tackling one problem at a time seems to be a dogmatic way to address the issues of today and show up the demons of the past that you is kind, you is smart, you is important.

Fred + Far is a company taking hold of the niche market of those needing a little pick-me-up in the self-love department by offering a pinky ring, a self-engagement aaaaand I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued. With a price tag of $150-325 {free shipping with purchases of $300 or more!}, it's a reasonable price for some major bling.

Realizing I'm constantly tired {and after reading this lovely article} has made me more aware of how important it is to maintain that self-love and continuous improvement to find and retain that internal happiness.

The fur sweethearts definitely help in that department as well. Kitty snuggles are the best part of coming home!!





More importantly, in the end:

Fred + Far

xxxx