Some more bits of Advice...modified from The Happiness Project

Confession from SmoothieGirl: I lifted this article right out of a blog I read called The Happiness Project. Believe it or not (hubs believes!) I'm not really a Mary Poppins by nature and I have to really 'work' to see the glass as half-full rather than half-empty. (In fact, she is lovingly called "Mary Friggin Poppins" in our casa)...That is why I get T.H.P. RSS'd into my inbox daily.

Since the last few weeks has been filled with smart advice from my brilliant Guesties and this popped into my mailbox on wednesday morning, I felt like it was 'meant to be'. So I am sharing it with you, my beloved SGET readers. In true SmoothieGirl fashion, I'm adding my 2-cents and a health & fitness spin as well in green.

Excellent Tips for Living that My Parents Gave Me...from Gretchin Rubin

(Deb's note: I shortened it a bit...to see her original post, click here)

"Every Wednesday is Tip Day at The Happiness Project.
This Wednesday: Eight excellent tips for living my parents gave me."
--

"Stay calm"

Deb's take: don't panic at the disco, or the buffet. Take deep breaths and make smart choices. In yoga, holding difficult positions requires calm and deep breathing. This also applies to life in general. Try it.

--

“The things that go wrong often make the best memories.”

Deb's take: You may not remember that perfect Thanksgiving Meal from 2004, but you will remember when the turkey burned to a crisp on Thanksgiving 2005 and you had to go out for Turkey Burritos instead. Try to laugh it off. Is it ever really that bad?

--

"You like to have a few things that you really like, instead of lots of choices."

Deb's take: Very true with menus and food choices. Huge menus can overwhelm, especially if you are in an indecisive mood (brekkie or lunch; savory or sweet?). Sometimes it's nice to be given just a few selections... then your little brain doesn't spew smoke from having too much choice. Dad and I have expressed relief when handed a very simple menu. This really does only work if you can be flexible with your diet and don't have too many food restrictions or sensitivities.

"Be grateful, because you worked hard for what you got, and you deserved it, but others also worked hard, and people don’t always get what they deserve.”

Deb's take: Yup, you can diet your little brain out and do cardio til the cows come home, but not lose a pound. Or you can eat clean and still have high-cholesterol. Sometimes life sucks like that. Lesson learned: try hard and do your absolute best. That is the most we can ever ask of ourselves. If something isn't working, change it- do weights, change your diet a bit...see if changes help. And realize that the world still isn't always fair.

--“If you’re willing to take the blame, people will give you the responsibility.”

Deb's take: We all make mistakes, no matter how old or young. If we own up to them, at least we get the respect for being honest- with ourselves and others.

--“Enjoy the process.”

Deb's take: Goals are terrific, but you will definitely get more out of life if you enjoy the steps it takes to reach those goals. Try to enjoy cooking a healthy meal, or that Bootcamp class you are about to take. If you don't dread things that you need to do, life is better.

--“All you have to do is put on your running shoes and let the front door shut behind you.”

Deb's take: I do agree with this, but balance is key. As someone always striving to achieve a sense of balance and normalcy, I know that some days my body doesn't want to do a darn thing. Other days, you couldn't hold me back if you tried. Listen to your body. I TRY to listen to mine.

(yes, this is where the SmoothieMoving Magic starts) :-D Love my squeaky sneaks- they actually squeak so people giggle as I walk past! Oh well, they are comfy!

Finally, Gretchin's advice about relationships...

--My mother said: “In a relationship, it’s important that a person is kind, because eventually, if he’s not kind to other people, he won’t be kind to you.”

--My father said: “In a relationship, it’s important that a person be able to have fun, because you’re not going to have a happy life with someone who can’t have fun.”

Deb's take: who can argue with that!?

Tomorrow I will give you my spin on how to enjoy a vacation and not destroy your healthy-living lifestyle...

Do you guys find that happiness comes naturally or do you need to "work" at it? Have you ever read The Happiness Project? Are there any Non-guesties who have some great pieces of advice to share with SGET readers??