Happiness | oliviaobryon

Tag Archives: Happiness

Jul 10 2012

Life, Writing

Happy One Year Blog Birthday!

Okay, so technically, I started my blog on 7/22/11, which means today is not my actual blog birthday. Still, I am one of those people that likes to give presents early and draws birthdays out into weeks, maybe even whole months, so why not celebrate a little ahead of schedule? Besides, I’ll be traveling 7/22, and I want this to give this post some thought.

So, let’s take a little trip back in time. One year ago, this month, I decided to start a blog. Inspired by Gretchen Rubin’s the Happiness Project, I was determined to create a regular space for something in my life that I love, writing. I was also coming off my first juice fast, so the world looked especially magical through my newly cleansed, hippie eyes. Thus, I named my blog, “Today is the best day of my life,” my little pinch-me-it’s-real reminder for my first summer break in years.

However, as with many good things, I eventually came to hate that name. Funny how sometimes we even manage to annoy ourselves with our own optimism. Still, the name stuck, because I did not know what else to call it and part of me wanted to hang on to that reminder to live in the moment. Then, two months ago, my cousin suggested I move my blog to WordPress, clean it up, prepare to put myself out there as an author. My chance for a new name, my own.

I took his advice, and here I am. I have to say, there is a night and day difference between Blogger and WordPress. Exponentially more readers, yes, but also the unexpected enjoyment of deeper connections with others. Writers, teachers, travelers. Turns out that deciding to start a blog was less about putting myself out there on my own and more about finding a community, a place to belong, words and all.

Here’s to many more years of blogging and writing happiness!

Live Life, Be Brave is still the guiding principal for my blog, 150 posts and one year later!

Tagged Blogger, Blogging, Community, Happiness, WordPress

Jun 22 2012

3 Comments

Home, Life, Pets

The Cat is in The Bag

I have never been a cat person. In fact, I have a love-hate relationship with my own cat, so much so that I’ve sworn off ever having another as a pet. She’s bossy. She tells me when to feed her. She swipes at me when she’s not happy. Her favorite spot to sleep is our dining room table. The list goes on, I will spare you the gory details.

However, in the past couple weeks, we’ve finally started to bond. It only took three years. I’ve gone from ambivalent to finding myself happy to see her. Suddenly, she is everywhere I am, following me around the house. It scares me that my urge to post these personified pictures is somehow reflective of me becoming a cat person. I hope not, although I am not sure why. Many of the “cat people” I know are among my favorites. Still, I find myself kicking and screaming at the prospect.

“I’m going with you to see Liz, right?”

“I’m not going with you, I hope you die.”

“Okay, whatever, we can still be friends.”

Tagged Cats, Happiness, Luna

Jun 22 2012

My Alter Ego is Named Grandma

One of my goals for this summer is to be more spontaneous, to go with the flow, to allow new experiences to wash over me, instead of avoiding them. Sometimes I joke that my alter ego is named Grandma. She enjoys curling up on the sofa with her dog, reading good books, and going to bed around 11PM. She has even been known to fall asleep in her chair with company over, and she often avoids unscheduled activities.

Don’t worry. I do not have multiple personalities. I just have a part of myself that is very set in routines, plans, managing expectations. I’m alright with this because I think it is important to know what you like and to not always do things just because you do not want to disappoint others. However, I also do not want to miss out on exciting parts of life just because I did not plan for them.

So, yesterday, on a whim, I climbed into my car with my husband and my dog and drove to Berkeley for lunch to celebrate the birthday of one of my nearest and dearest friends, Liz. We picked up fried chicken sammies from Bakesale Betty’s in Oakland, (which is absolutely amazing and a must-eat if you’re in the area). Then, with the help of another one of my nearest and dearest, Jen, we surprised Liz on the Berkeley campus with a picnic near her office.

Mind you, this may not seem over-the-top crazy, but it was spontaneous and required some effort to get down there, two things that Grandma doesn’t like. So, I’m happy to report that I successfully overcame my alter ego and had a lot of fun in the process. Our picnic was delicious and it was awesome to hang out with friends in the town we used to call home, (and miss dearly!).

Now, for the next adventure Grandma is dreading, a five-day road trip to Olympia, WA and back, for roller derby, dirty Portland bars, and that magnificent Oregon coast…

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Tagged Bakesale Betty's, Berkeley, Fried Chicken, Friends, Grandma, Happiness, Oakland, Spontaneity, Summer

Jun 20 2012

1 Comment

Dogs, Family, Life, Pets, Teaching, Writing

Will Teach for Time

I am a collector of things you can cannot touch. Words, pictures, memories. Right now my focus is summer. Today is day 13. I do not know how many days remain. Enough, I guess. I refuse to count for fear they will disappear too quickly.

I would lie if I said that summer had nothing to do with my decision to become a teacher. However, I could not teach if I did not like the work. Ten months of misery would not be worth two months of freedom. Instead, summer is the perk that makes the pay more tolerable, helps me through those days with angry parents, makes me smile when my classroom is in upheaval. In my past work life, I discovered that time is worth more than money.

Summer is time. Time to refuel. Time to reflect and grow as a teacher, wife, friend, human being. Time to do the jobs that do not pay but feed my soul. Time to write.

Everyday I am asked by people who do not teach, “How is your summer going?”

Splendidly, I respond. I’m actively collecting all those little moments that will get me through the inevitable challenges of the coming year:

Listened to my sister’s high school poetry night, got lost in words, some funny, some sad.

Sunflower in Fair Oaks with my husband, he rode his bike seven miles to meet me. I drove in an air conditioned car.

Veggie burrito, healthy, much tastier than it looks. While other moms took their kids for Happy Meals, mine took me here. We’d feed the chickens and play in the park. I developed a fear of roosters.

Veggie nachos, probably the winner, but don’t tell Alex. He gloats too much when his choice is best.

Sunday dinners with family, swimming, eating, happy.

My birthday came a little early today, make that a month and a half to be exact. My sweet husband bought me a new recorder of words, which I’ll put to good use. The irony of marriage, I’d tell him not to buy it if he asked, but I’m grateful that he did. And, yes, that is the cat you see on our dining room table, maybe you should rethink coming to dinner, I’ve given up on chasing her, at least today.

Much like the dog, I’ve also lazed about. Recharging is required to be a happy teacher. Scratch that, recharging is required to be a happy human being.

Tagged Happiness, Husband, Sacramento, Summer, Sunflower Drive-In, Time, Work

Jun 12 2012

2 Comments

Health, Home, Life, Teaching, Writing

Notebooks, Notebooks Everywhere!

I don’t keep a diary or a journal. I do keep notebooks and notebooks full of lists, ideas, quotes, and little pieces of inspiration. I recently read that both adults and children that keep gratitude journals are happier and healthier. That’s what my notebooks are for me, little conscious reminders to live life and be happy. I encourage some of my students to do the same thing and am planning to make a more concerted whole class effort next school year.

Interestingly, these notebooks helped to pull me out of my darkest moments and are now an integral part of my life. At yoga last night, I realized that I need to start bringing a notebook to class so that I can jot down all of the ideas that come to me while I’m out living life. Others might think I’m strange, but I swear by these little notes to myself. They keep me creative, inspired, planned, and happy. They help me shape my own reality.

My current rotation of notebooks.

I use my notebooks to collect quotes…

: And brainstorm life choices. This was before quitting my old job, I like how I thought there was a magic answer.

Happy little inspiration scribbles…

Plans for the future, (Six Weeks is now Expecting Happiness)…

And, today’s list, plans to finish my book with help from my lovely readers. Thanks ladies!

Tagged Expecting Happiness, Gratitude, Happiness, Inspiration, Notebooks, Novel, Planning, Writing

Jun 12 2012

My Superhero Power: Time Manipulation

Summer makes me nostalgic. It makes me want to slow down time so that I can savor each new memory. If I were a superhero, that is what my power would be, time manipulation.

Driving home from my family’s house tonight, my husband and I talked about our differing perceptions of time. For him, life moves at just the right speed, which makes me envious. I guess you do not have to be a superhero to appreciate life properly. Still, I’m not sure how to slow down. It feels like there are more things I want to do than there is time to do them.

I think this is part of why I like to write so much. It gives me the space to trap myself in time.

Tonight I want to trap myself in new summer memories. I want to hold them to my heart so that everyone in them will be with me always. If I could figure out a way for summer dinners to last longer, I would. Instead, it is the words and pictures that are left.

: My sweet nephew

: Perfect Summer Day…

: Simon.

: Say cheese!

: “Take one of our feet!”

: Napfection.

: Childhood.

: Best Arnold Palmer of my life.

: Standing on the edge of the world.

: Uncle Seamus.

: My buddy.

: My pretty little sister.

: Blond Audrey

: Homemade onion rings!

: More pretty sisters!

: Our tree of life.

: Happy birthday Dana!

: Smores! (Great idea Dana!)

: Family.

: Thanks Dad & Debra!

Tagged Family, Happiness, Nostalgia, Summer, Sunday

Jun 09 2012

2 Comments

Dogs, Life, Pets, Writing

The Illusive Twenty-Something Happiness

Damn you internet.

I’m trying to focus on writing but I got sucked into reading an article and then writing this blog simply by searching the correct way to write twenty somethings, (and, I still don’t have a freaking answer, looks like it could be twenty-somethings, twentysomethings, or twenty somethings, depending on who you ask!).

I guess that I’m already breaking one of my summer writing commandments by allowing myself to be distracted by the internet and social media instead of focusing on the task at hand. Damn you again internet.

But, this was too good not to share:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susannahbreslin/2012/03/12/how-to-make-twentysomethings-happy/

Stumbled across this article about twenty somethings and happiness which cuts to the core of what I’m trying to write about in Expecting Happiness. We are a generation obsessed with finding this magic key to life that may or may not exist. Really, we’re probably no different than any other generation, we just happen to be the ones complaining right now. Doesn’t every generation face the quintessential crisis of having to grow up and get a job?

Are we really that different for hoping we can change the work world into a more satisfying place?

I like that the article ended with a desire to bring our dogs to work. My husband was pretty stoked when he found out he could bring Simon to his new office and we’ve envied other friends with this luxury for years. Seems like we might be simpler to please than we pretend. And, really, I can’t complain, Simon is pretty much always by my side as I write.

That’s why I’m convinced writers have it the best. They can write from anywhere and achieve any of those desires mentioned in the article. Now only to figure out how to get paid for doing it…

The only thing better than bringing your dog to work? Bringing you dog to work at the beach…

Tagged Dogs, Expecting Happiness, Happiness, Novel, Twentysomethings, Work, Writing

Jun 08 2012

2 Comments

Health, Home, Life, Teaching, Writing

The Zen of Cleaning

“A perfectly kept house is the sign of a misspent life.”

Saw that recently on Tumblr and agreed only because of the word perfectly. I’m getting better at not being OCD about cleaning. My husband helps with this by not sharing my compulsion for tidiness.

However, there is something about cleaning that is meditative for me. The first day of a break, I always clean my house. I throw out or give away everything superfluous, I make my home a place that I want to spend time. I recently read that people with neat bedrooms sleep better and that people with neat living spaces are calmer, (at least those prone to anxiety, like little old me). Not sure if any of that is true, but anecdotally, I feel much less stressed in an ordered environment.

I wouldn’t say that I like the actual act of cleaning, but I do like the quiet time to think. I find that I have to carry around a notebook from room to room because writing ideas come to me while I work. And, when it’s all done, I feel very visually satisfied with my surroundings. I even make my husband come look at my new organization systems, much to his chagrin.

So, there you have it. Today I enjoyed the zen of cleaning. It’s one of my little life rituals for inner peace.

What are your secrets to consciously cultivating happiness?

Here was one of the bonuses of my compulsion to clean– found this note I didn’t take the time to fully enjoy from a student yesterday. She pretty much captured me in a nutshell: I care for them, I’m always watching, and my dream is for them to at least have the option to go college. Doesn’t hurt that she likes my glasses and my outfit either… Made me smile.

Tagged Anxiety, Calm, Cleaning, Happiness, Husband, Summer, Zen

Jun 04 2012

11 Comments

Life, Teaching, Writing

Are you afraid to put yourself out there?

This morning I woke up feeling vulnerable.

Putting myself out there on my blog sometimes makes me feel like I’m overexposed. I told you, I’m an introvert at heart.

Does anyone else ever feel this way?

I started blogging because I wanted space to write and hold myself accountable for writing, but it has grown into much more. It is now a space that I think through my life, my writing, my challenges as a teacher. It is a place where I make new connections with like-minded people and strengthen old connections with those I wish I saw more. It is a way to put myself out there and build a platform in anticipation of publishing my work.

In other words, blogging is increasingly significant to my life. But, as a result, I also feel increasingly self-aware. When I share my posts on Facebook, I question myself, wondering whether I’m driving people in my life crazy– “We get it, you have a blog!” I imagine people thinking. Yet most of my clicks come from sharing my posts on my other social platforms. Likewise, I’ve been convinced that creating a following is necessary to success as an author.

I know that there will always be voices of self-doubt. In general, I try not to listen. I just also wonder if other people feel the same way. Do you ever feel silly about blogging? Self-absorbed? Self-important? I’m not saying that blogging is any of these things, it just feels this way for me sometimes, maybe because I have a slightly obsessive personality.

Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Marianne Williamson, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us… It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Even if I full-heartedly agree, it is a hard lesson. It’s hard to put ourselves out there and not be afraid of our own greatness. I hate to admit that sometimes I don’t feel that brave. I really liked this commencement speech that I watched last night. It reminded me that when all else fails, pretend to know what you’re doing…

Tagged Courage, Happiness, Life, Marianne Williamson, Neil Gaiman, Success, Vulnerability, Writing

Feb 01 2012

It is good.

I know that I said that I was done with my book. That may have been an exaggeration, or better put, a partial truth. It’s more like I am done with the story. However, in my fiery haste to write 50,000 words in two months, I left a lot to be polished and expanded. Now, Tuesday nights are my night to write, my time alone, inside my head.

Tonight’s polishing stretched me to 53,000 words. That’s about 212 book pages… When all is said and done, I expect to have more like 60,000 words, or 240 pages, which is still on the shorter side for most published novels. I just wish that I had the time to sit and focus and get it done. Going back is fun, layers are emerging, new chapters are appearing between old ones. Spring break can’t come fast enough.

Despite my restlessness, my theme for life this week is, “It is good.” Anything that I find myself complaining about, I am following up with “It is good.” For example, as much as I cannot wait for spring break to write with more abandon, I know that it is good that somehow I’m still finding a way to write in spite of my busy life. It is good that I’m passionate enough about it to still make it happen. It is actually kind of magical when I think about it. My book has grown out of seemingly nowhere. It is good to have something that energizes me to come home after a long day at work. It is good.

I’m finding that this phrase applies to anything. It is good that teaching is challenging, hard, makes me want to scream, cry, kick, laugh. I am becoming tougher and more capable. It is good that plans change and schedules are not always kept. I am becoming more flexible and more appreciative of the people around me in the moment…

All things seemingly bad or challenging have their silver linings. They make us tougher, smarter, braver. They push us to grow. They force us to make changes and move forward. Granted, I know that not all challenging things seem this way, I just pray that I have the strength to make them all this way, to be conscious enough to find the good in everything, even the really hard things.

It is good. Life is good.

I leave you with my favorite songs of the evening:

Tagged Gratitude, Happiness, Life

Jan 22 2012

2 Comments

Life, Teaching, Writing

The Mixed Emotions of Sunday

Each week, Sunday brings mixed emotions for me. My job as a teacher can be all-consuming, so Sunday reminds me that it’s time to gear back up and get ready for the week to come. It requires grading, planning, and refocusing to minimize my stress during the week. It is also the day that I visit my family and attempt to catch up on my book. Writing is requiring a lot of patience because I have so little time to do it and so much desire to lose myself in it… Not to mention grocery shopping or making sure that our house is clean for the week!

In short, Sunday is full.

I know that life is full too, not just Sundays, but for whatever reason Sundays often feel like the fullest day of the week. I find myself trying to cram everything that I want to accomplish into Sundays because the week days are monopolized by teaching and Saturday is the day that I let myself relax, do less, and generally spend my time with Alex, (since it’s the only day off of the week that we share).

I want to learn how to achieve more balance while also holding onto all of my priorities. I guess prioritizing is a part of life, I just wish that I had time for everything! What a lovely world it would be if I could get everything done that I need to be a good teacher, have plenty of time to write my book, keep a clean house, get enough exercise, and still have enough time for my friends, family, and Alex. I can’t even imagine what it feels like when you add children into the equation. I guess your priorities shift.

For now I just want to figure out how to fit all of my priorities into the picture! I think that is why Sunday is bittersweet for me; I have so many things that I want to do with this one precious day and only 12 hours or so to do them! I’m sure that there is some Zen teaching that would help me about now, but no time to look– happily off to the next Sunday priority but also sad to be putting my writing away for the day!

Tagged Happiness, Sunday, Teaching, Writing

Writer. Teacher. Occasional Traveler.

Tag Archives: Happiness