the woman and the hair

The Joy of the Journey Is in the Ride
By Sandra Magsamen
Original Content | May 30, 2008

I used to be one of those people who, when it was time for vacation, found myself over packing and overloading my suitcase with tons of stuff that I was sure I was going to need for my trip. I'd pull and lift, roll and drag way too much stuff with me whenever I'd travel. Truth is, I had a lot of baggage. Instead of heading off to vacation with room for a future adventure, I was carrying way too much of the past with me. I guess I was stuck in thinking I needed what was familiar and comforting. Then I heard this great little story that changed all that.

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today." So she did and had a wonderful day. The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "Hmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." So she did and had a fantastic day. The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a ponytail." So she did and had a really great day. The next day, she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEA!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"

This wonderful story reminded me that each day new challenges and adventures come our way. To be really happy, we have to adapt, roll with the changes and embrace the adventure instead of clinging to old ways of living and to the past. This little story makes one point really clear—attitude is everything! When you begin to realize that attitude is a powerful tool, it can change your life for the better, forever.

Armed with this new sense of freedom and attitude and tired of dragging all my old stuff with me, I decided to start my vacation in Maine last summer with just the basics. I threw a few shirts and skirts and a great pair of shoes in a bag and set out on my way. I elected to pick up things that I really loved all along the journey. While on vacation, I drifted in and out of antique stores, junk shops and yard sales. I picked up little things that caught my eye—forgotten buttons, scraps of fabric, old sheet music and charms that had long ago fallen off their bracelets. As I strolled on the beach, I felt lucky to find broken pieces of painted china, small pieces of driftwood and worn sea glass in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. At sunset, I poured myself a glass of wine, toasted the day's end and began tinkering with the loot I'd collected.

I found a long piece of twine in the house we rented. I think its original use was to tie up the newspapers for recycling, but I had other designs on it. In my cosmetic case, I found a sewing kit from a hotel. As the natural light of day faded, I began stitching the bits and pieces of my day's journey onto the twine until my eyes got tired and the rumbling of my tummy called for dinner. Every evening, I added a few more treasures to the twine. At the end of the week's vacation, I tied a knot in the now highly decorated cord and slipped it over my neck as I headed to the car for the drive home. Whenever I wear my creation, I am instantly transported to the feelings of rest and relaxation and the memory of a time I cherished.

I like to keep a travel journal on vacation, but because I did not bring a book with me, I started searching for one along the way. I went to the local library where they were hosting their summer book sale, and for 50 cents I bought a brightly covered, red, hardbound book that became the canvas for my travel journal. I added pages simply by stapling blank ones in among the typed ones, glued in pictures of places we'd gone, recorded the most wonderful things we ate for lunch and dinner, drew pictures of the houses along the beach and filled the book with little pieces of what turned out to be a big adventure.

I've learned that you don't need to take lots of stuff with you when you travel—it's best to travel light and take in the new experiences. Use anything you find to document your trip and make a journal. Guide books, menus and old books all make for great journals. I met a woman the other day who writes on her boarding passes from the plane. She has saved a box full, and they share the story of her life's journey. You too can fill your journal with thoughts for the day, poems you discover, a list of things you found beautiful in the day and anything and everything that touches your heart.

The true joy of a trip isn't always in the destination. How one woman left her emotional baggage at home and started embracing the adventures of life.

MY THOUGHTS

if there is anything in my blogs that i wish people would read, this is the one. i like the story of the woman and her hair. not because it's funny. which is a plus by the way. but because it's packed with the real essence of how to live our lives with joy. not just happiness. joy. joy that sometimes we cannot explain. because it doesn't come from anything temporary. joy that comes from somewhere deep within. joy that's inspired by the Higher Being.

i am so like the author when i travel. heck (sorry!), there was a time in my crazy life when i packed several photo albums. yes! not just pictures. the whole album!!! and the man in the album turned out to be a real pain in the %$#. i've forgiven him. and myself, for that matter. that was part of my journey.

you see, just like this lady, i filled my life with so many things, past and present, most of them non-valuables. the result? there's no more space for new, more valuable things. when i travel, i bring so many things. because i might need them. then i would shop myself to death. buying things that i MAY need. i end up with with more baggage.

i'm still trying to learn to travel light. and i just don't mean luggage. i'm learning, that the way to receive is not simply to open up myself. i have to empty myself. i hope that God will continue using me to fill people up. i'd like to be able to rise up to that occasion when God sees it fit. but i'm learning to see it the other way, too. i'm not the only one that God wants to use. i also need filling-up. and that won't happen when i am so full.

travel light. live simply. enjoy the journey. i'll get there one day.

Simple ways to be happy

Simple Ways to Be Happy
by Janice Taylor
from beliefnet.com

MY THOUGHTS

I know - we've heard about this topic a hundred maybe a thousand times. And yet, why are there times it seems so elusive? So out of reach? Or - you're happy now, and in a split second you're in a murderous state? or worse, thinking of making yourself a gonner? I was smiling when I read this article. Yes, smiling. To myself. Such simple tips. Nothing expensive. You don't even need a dictionary to understand what each tip would require. Well, I guess, it's the simplicity of it all that makes us miss the whole point. It's as simple as taking a cat nap - which gives me headaches by the way. I'm the 6-8-hours-sleep- person. And no wonder there are days things look so gloomy. I hate waking up early. And this is one way of making us happy (according to the author). I didn't know that "20 minutes of sunlight improves the mood". How would I know? I put on double curtains to keep
the sun out!!!

Some tips here are ceratinly challenging. Growing a garden? I've tried. Each time, I failed- without fail. And my idea of garden was a couple of pots of cactus. Yes, cactus! No one told me they can drown. Especially when you water them after 6 months of drought. They survive in the dessert. But no, not in "my garden".

Happiness is not elusive though. It's just there. For each of us to discover. I can certainly be my own BFF. Oh and I love to "Smile, Giggle, Snigger, or Chuckle". Wait! You do need a dictionary. What, pray tell, is a "snigger"?

"Indulge in dark chocolates"? "Sing out loud"? Well, I've had my moments. I'm just not sure how I made others unhappy when I sing. And it doesn't have to be loud.

"Love everything" to be happy? Now that will take more than just effort. So as accepting "what you cannot change". That will certainly help laughing at "your shortcomings" and catching "happiness from others"

And this is what I really like - I need a pencil to be happy. So I can "pencil-in quiet time". Blissfully quiet moments - meditate and pray, being grateful, looking to the future and knowing that miracles do happen. I feel ecstatic already. And all I did was read the article. - Jo Ann

Janice Taylor is the author of the Our Lady of Weight Loss blog on Beliefnet, and the book, All is Forgiven, Move On. Here's the article on Simple Ways to Be Happy.

If you are looking for happiness, you've come to the right place! Happiness is a state of being that only you can create. Happiness is a choice that you make. Using what I've learned as a life and wellness coach, this article will share with you the best tips on happiness that can help you to create happiness in your life! Get ready to smile, chant, eat dark chocolate and dream... big!

Be Your Own BFF
Enjoy your own company. Embrace everything about you! Without a doubt, it’s the most important step towards being a happy person.

Smile, Giggle, Snigger, or Chuckle!
Smiling releases serotonin in the brain, which instantaneously gives your mood a lift.

Warm Up Your Tootsies
Pull on your best pair of warm socks, wiggle your toes and enjoy a cozy kind of bliss.

Sing Out Loud!
Shut the doors and the windows tight, put on your favorite song, and let your voice ring!

Indulge in Dark Chocolate
Savor a small piece and watch your mood improve.

Expect a Miracle
Believe that something wonderful will happen for you today. The universe is waiting to shower happy blessings on you.

Meditate, Pray, and Chant
Research shows that people who are spiritual tend to be happier and healthier than those who are not.

Laugh at Your Shortcomings
We all make mistakes; none of us is perfect. Forgive your imperfections, accept your faults, and laugh.

Sleep, Baby, Sleep
Seven or eight hours each night should increase your energy and decrease moodiness.

Count Your Blessings Daily
Gratitude, the emotion of thankfulness, is one of the key ingredients for living a happy life. Make gratitude a habit and happiness will be yours

Wake Up Early!
Start the day off on a happy foot, with a happy thought. The morning hours are full of spiritual energy and prana (life force).

Let the Sun Shine In
20 minutes of sunlight per day improves mood and wards of Seasonal Affection Disorder (SAD).

Create a Positive Affirmation
Think it, read it, say it, sing it! "My happiness brings me more happiness."

Say "Good Job!"
Give yourself permission to pat yourself on the back. Recognize your accomplishments and positive qualities.

Catch Happiness from Others
Remembering that happiness is contagious, surround yourself with happy, positive people who share your values, goals, and dreams.

Grow a Garden
Watching plants grow and thrive under your care is thrilling!


Pencil in 'Quiet' Time
Each and every day sit awhile, without television, without magazines, without the Internet. Just be!

Look to the Future
Set goals and then make plans to succeed and take action. Pursuing something we value always makes us happy.

Accept What You Cannot Change
Don't waste your precious time, energy, or thoughts on something that is beyond your control. Let it go.

Take a Cat Nap
A 10-minute nap is all it takes to rejuvenate your spirit and get the happiness to flow.

Love Everything
Love who you are. Love what you are doing. Love the person you're with. Love your friends and your enemies, too. Love! Love! Love