As y’all know, I try to keep things as positive as possible on this little blog. I figure there are enough sources of negative energy in the world – why add to the list.
This leads me to something I’ve been meaning to address for a while…
You see, contrary to popular belief, I was not born with the happy gene. I think a lot of people who read my blog assume that positivity and happiness are my middle names. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, I’m a very emotional person. And not just in the sense that I cry about everything (although that is true). I’m emotional in that every emotion that washes over me sometimes does so in full force. What keeps this emotional rollercoaster in check is my ability to get over things pretty easily. My mom says I’m like my dad in that I don’t hold on to my emotions…easy come, easy go. Thank you, dad!
I strongly believe that I create and control my own happiness – with my thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes, with my intentions and actions, with the people I allow to enter my life, with the places I let myself go, etc. And this is something I’m constantly working on. Some days are harder than others, but at the very least, I try to end each day with a happy thought, a smile, a prayer, etc.
And while much of this process is internally driven, a lot of what helps me stay the course comes from the outside. In fact, I have four sources that I turn to on a regular basis as little reminders…
The first one is my mom. She’s always forwarding inspirational/spiritual quotes, messages, pictures, etc. Here’s a recent example – “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt. Love it!
The second source is Purpose Fairy. Surprise surprise! Haha. If you’ve been reading myinnershakti for a while, you know how much I love this website. It’s a constant source of inspiration for me.
The third source comes from Goodreads. When I first signed up, I opted to receive daily Goodreads quotes via email. And that email is something I look forward to every morning, and here is a perfect example of why this is – “Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.” – Betty Smith, the author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
The fourth and final source is one that some might find a little strange but something that I absolutely love. Every morning I receive emails from “The Universe.” Let me explain. A good friend of mine told me about a website called Totally Unique Thoughts because she thought it was right up my alley. She was right. After looking around a little bit, I came across a link for something called Notes from the Universe. I didn’t get it at first but figured that the option to unsubscribe was only a click away. Well, I don’t think I’m ever going to unsubscribe because the daily personalized messages have, in a really strange way, become part of my permanent routine. I’m not sure if every subscriber receives the same message (probably), but there are lots of days where I feel like the note was written for me. Here are a few of my favorite examples…
- Do you ever sometimes wonder, Parita, if you shouldn’t just come down to earth and settle for a bit less?
Right! Earth’s an illusion, and so are all your dreams of doing, being, and having! So settle for less of what, smoke and mirrors?!
You’re really on lately,
The Universe - You do understand, Parita, that you’re now adventuring in the jungles of time and space by special invitation, right?
Mine? Hardly.
Actually, it was the express wish of every single one of the umpteen billion people now sharing the planet with you, plus those who came before you, and those on the verge of arriving.
Basically, they thought their little emerald home wouldn’t be the same otherwise.
I agreed,
The Universe - You were built to believe, designed to receive, and born to go where no one ever has.
Dream. Dream really BIG now, Parita.
Behold, a light… The Universe - Of course, Parita, you probably could have done something else entirely with your life; something easier or more common, and have been even more successful than you are today.
But then, you wouldn’t become as successful as you are about to be.
Remember, you wanted it all?
The Universe
I totally understand that my inspirational reminders may not be for everyone, but hey, they work for me! And I hope you find something that works for you too because if you’re anything like me, every day is not full of rainbows and flowers and puppies. And little reminders, in whatever form, point out that we’re all works in progress and keep us on track. After all, happiness is a journey!
What are your sources of inspiration?
Honestly P..one of the reasons why you’re blog is one which I read regularly is because of how much positive energy you give off and this post is further proof of that! Notes from the Universe sounds kinda strange in a good way. I might have to subscribe, especially as we sometimes need that extra push to take us beyond our limits (or what we think are our limits)!
Thank you, K! I love your blog because you look at healthy living from a very positive perspective. And I think you’d love Notes from the Universe! It’s a awesomely strange concept. 🙂
I adore you, P! Seriously, your blog is one of my all-time favorites because you always have a unique, positive message. I’m going to go look at all the websites you linked to! They all sound amazing!
Thank you! I adore you and your blog as well! I think you’d like Notes from the Universe…check it out!
I literally got goosebumps reading this!!! I used to be the SAME way! I was SUPER emotional growing up. (My dad would say “your highs are high, but your lows are low!”)
Later in life I realized that we really DO create our own happiness. And I think perspective changes everything!
I think I’ve calmed down a little with the emotions over the past few years. I’m learning to go with the flow more and not get worked up about every bump in the road. It all evens out eventually! And you’re right – perspective is key!
I would have NEVER known you weren’t always a super-happy, bubbly person! Great read. I am a firm believer that life is what we make it and ther eis a lot of power in our inner narrative.
Fake it till you make it, right?!
First of all I am so proud of you as I’ve seen you become one smart strong woman!!!
My inspiration mainly come from my parent, hubby, my pumkin(S), siblings and friends. Now as we are expanding family with you and aek are becoming grown women, the extended family has also became part of my inspiration… I agree 100% with Liz “we really DO create our own happiness and perspective changes everything!”
Thanks, momma! And yes I agree family and friends are great inspirations…especially ours!
I feel as though I’m the same with you about emotion. I feel everything to the highest power (love that). However, I don’t let go as quickly. I admire you for that. I’m a HUGE believer in creating your own happiness. I find it in different places every day, but reading is a huge source of inspiration to me as is writing.
I love my emotional side…for the most part. 🙂 And I’ve always been able to let go easily when it comes to other people. I tend to be much harder on myself!
I come to your blog, re read stuff just because sometimes I need that positive energy and thank you very much for that. I was not much of a inspirational quote person, but lately I find messages and extra boost from it. Just made a board on pinterest too ha! the msg from The Universe is awesome – like its talking to you 🙂 my inspiration is my parents, my boy friend, bloggers like you and most importantly experiences I have gained and lessons I have learned in my life/past inspires me to push myself, get stronger and stay calm because like you said- life is not all rainbows and butterflies.. Keep the positivity coming 🙂
Learning to stay calm is so important! And I’m glad my blog gives you positve energy. That means a lot!
Wow this pretty much sums me up! I have this crazy spiked reaction to most things too..high-higs and low-lows. Love how you have written this post. It takes a really mature person to reflect and understand oneself. I am still trying..
Come to think of it, my number one source of positivity is my mum for me. My mum sends me these inspirational forwards too and I just love it 🙂
Thank you! I still have a lot of maturing and growing to do, but I try as well! And I just tell myself that those high-highs and low-lows are the passionate side of me coming out. 😉
What a great idea! And now you can add your blog to that list 😉 I’m sure it’s not just me and many others get a sense of positivity from your attitude via your writing. I will check out some of those sites as well! thanks!
Thank you, Mila! That means a lot. 🙂 I think you’d love Purpose Fairy – super inspirational and thought-provoking.
I’m extremely emotional as well. The intensity of my emotions actually scares me sometimes, but I’d much rather feel that than feel nothing at all. At least that’s what I tell myself when I start to feel a little bit like a headcase 😉 And I would have to say that surrounding myself with positive people if probably my biggest source of external inspiration, with motivational quotes coming in a close second. I keep a journal where I write down all my favorite quotes and turn to them whenever I need a bit of a mood lift, so I’m going to check out some of those sites you mentioned 🙂
You’re right – I’d rather be emotional than feel nothing. I tell myself that sometimes too. 🙂 Journaling happy thoughts is actually a scientifically proven way of increasing happiness. I keep a little notebook on my nightstand as well!
Wow.. so impressed by this post. Who would have thought to write this? I definitely assumed you were a happy person all the time, and I think a lot of people presume that about me. Just like you, I am very emotional.. I cry over a lot, but I have gotten stronger as I’ve gotten older. I try to stay on track by telling myself that some people have it far worse, and as long as I have my health, family, and friends, I have it all!!! And then my job and home are a blessing. And then the rest is just the cherry on top. One of my favorites is Mark and Angel Hack Life. It is bookmarked on my blog. Will check out your faves too. 🙂
Thanks, N! Age has helped toughen me up a bit too. I’m just learning that not everything is worth the emotional time and energy I used to once think it was. And I love your attitude as well – if the things you listed are in place, we are good to go…everything is else is an added bonus!