Happy Thoughts Part 2 - Have Something to Look Forward

This time last year I was looking forward to...



and right this very moment until the end of Q1 2012...

and I am more than THANKFUL!

I stumbled upon an interesting post in the internet which gave me an idea for the Part 2 of my Happy Thoughts Project :)

"...There are four stages for enjoying a happy event:

-- anticipation (looking forward to it)
-- savoring (enjoying it in the moment – remember to turn off your cell phone!)
-- expression (sharing your pleasure with others, to heighten your experience)
-- reflection (looking back on happy times – so take pictures)

Anticipation is a key stage; by having something to look forward to, no matter what your circumstances, you bring happiness into your life well before the event actually takes place. In fact, sometimes the happiness in anticipation is greater than the happiness actually experienced in the moment."

Pak na pak di ba? Pag meron kang nilu-look forward, yung 2 hours na byahe mo, parang ang bilis bilis lang. Napupunta lang lahat sa pagmumuni-muni.

Pero what if wala kang something special na iniintay? Shocks guilty ako diyan, lalo na pag tapos na yung matagal mong kina-excite tapos balik ka na sa "normal" life. Katamaaad! Pag tumagal tagal mauuwi na sa boredom at discontentment. Ayayay! Hanggang mali mali na lahat ng ginagawa mong reports. Disaster! (ok masyadong talking based on experience hahaha)

In time, narealize ko rin na hindi naman dapat super bongga yung mga nilu-look forward mo para maging masaya ka. Of course, sino ba namang hindi tatumbling sa excitement na binibigay ng future trip na nakuha mo sa Piso Fare or all expense paid company trip di ba? Pero pag wala talaga, pwede din namang:

"excited na akong umuwi! masarap ulam namin mamaya!"
"excited na akong pumasok! drink all you can yung coffee vendo machine sa office!!!"
"excited na akong tapusin yung ad hoc ko, napanaginipan ko kanina yung SAS code, baka makalimutan ko na!"
"excited na ako sa lunch break, catch up kami ng uber close girlfriends ko!"

and the list can be endless :)

Sure there will be dull, boring, normal, ordinary days when it's hard to remember something that made you smile, but hard doesn't mean impossible. Cliche as this may sound, but the fact that you woke up is already something to be thankful for :) I'll end this post with a video that can help us identify things that will make us happy :)