Happiness

I was reading a blog yesterday that was talking about happiness and what you do when you aren't happy to turn things around for yourself.  It got me to thinking...

Several years ago, I was in a dark place.  I was struggling physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally...you name it.  The thing that got me out of it was focusing on others instead of myself.  I began to realize that the more I made others happy and the better life decisions I made (i.e. limiting gossip and judgement), the happier I became.  I am a strong advocate of "fake it until you make it".  I acted happy even when I was miserable.  Once I started focusing on others and how my choices affect other, happiness started coming naturally and I wasn't having to fake it anymore.

After a while, I started to think that was the answer to life.  If you made decisions throughout your day that positively affect others, then you will automatically find happiness.  It certainly worked for me!  But since then, I have realized something that has made me a little sad.  Not everyone gets happiness from making other people happy.

Some people have apathy toward the feelings of others so it doesn't occur to them that they can derive pleasure from someone else's happiness.  Their happiness seems to stem solely from how life affects them.  When they are sad, I don't know how to advise them not to be.  That's when I realized how fortunate I am.  For many reasons, but this one is a biggie.  It gives me so much more control over my life because only I choose how I treat other people, but no one can control how other people treat them.  One of the many blessings I can count.

I have a busy weekend ahead.  Tonight, BFF & I are going to the opera.  I haven't been to the opera since I was a child, so it should be interesting.  It is the Barber of Seville which sounds like a good one, and I'm excited.  Tomorrow, we are going to the ballet.  Our friend's niece is in Firebird.  What a weekend of culture!

Today's Fitness Plan:  CrossFit.  Check!  After not working out Tuesday or Wednesday, it was important to me that I work out before the weekend.  Unfortunately, I miscalculated on the first part where we did 2 Cleans on the minute for 10 minutes.  I meant to do 105#, but I only did 85#.  Not horrible, but I need to start increasing my weight.  The WOD was 3 rounds of 400m run & 20 overhead squats.  I scaled the run to 200m and used 55# on the squats and finished in 10:45.  Overhead squats are tough! 

Today's Nutrition Plan:
Breakfast:  coffee with cream (x2), boiled egg (x2)
Lunch:  mac and cheese & mashed potatoes
Snack:  greek yogurt
Dinner:  TBD but probably gnocchi

Diet Bet Check-in:  My weight has been holding steady since Tuesday which is good because of all the meals out and no exercise, but if I'm going to succeed on my diet bet I have to forge ahead.  First, I went to CrossFit this morning even though it wasn't convenient.  Second, I'm staying in for lunch and having a controlled (albeit not super healthy) lunch.  Lent will be over soon.  Lastly, I will also plan to have a weekend like the last one where I did not bring a bunch of treats into the house.  I will focus on small controlled meals and keeping myself busy.  We will see how I do!

Hugs!