BACK AT IT AGAIN - with a book review
IM BACCCKKKK!!!!!! So my blog was put on hold for a variety of different things…
First, I was interning at WALT DISNEY WORLD! Which sounds like the coolest thing ever, well because it is. Except about halfway through I had absolutely 0 time to do anything other than eat, sleep and work. It was a great time but one of the most stressful of my life. I spent every single day waking up, eating breakfast and making lunch, catching the bus to the park, working for 14 hours, catching a bus home, and trying to get to bed to get 6 hours of sleep (which was a stretch). I had no time to workout, blog, or even breath sometimes. It was an unforgettable and irreplaceable experience and amazing time in my life but I was a bit bummed to have to let go of some things that really were important to me. This being one of them.
Second, I have been traveling like a mofo lately. Which is another thing I will NEVER complain about but it does take a toll on some things.
But I’m back and getting back to my routine and blogging and working out and trying new products/writing reviews etc. etc.
So there’s my life update. In light of all of that I want to write a bit of a book review. While in Florida I read the book Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly and I wrote a short little synopsis on an Instagram photo because I truly loved it and want others to know. But I really want to write a full review because part of it resonates with why my blog was put on hold for so long.
I received the book at Christmas mass (I go to a Roman Catholic church) where everyone was given this little piece of magic written by Kelly. I was hesitant to read it because I thought it would just be about the Bible (which is fine but not want I was wanting to read at the time)…. but I was wrong and I’m so glad I was.
This book is more than just a Catholic book about God’s love and avoiding sin etc. It is about real life, how we live our lives and how we can help ourselves live better lives. There were 3 parts that really helped me and I still think of every single day (it is now August, I read it in January).
WE CHOOSE TO RESIST HAPPINESS. ~This is the one that I was saying makes sense why I haven’t blogged in so long.~ We know what makes us happy, what things we enjoy doing and how we feel when we do them. For example, I enjoy working out, I love how I feel when I eat healthy, I enjoy writing blog posts, I enjoy reading books and my daily devotional. But why is it so hard for us to get ourselves to accomplish these basic things that WE KNOW will make us happy?! Because there is resistance in everything we do. We must acknowledge the resistance and do the things that bring us happiness every single day. When we wake up we combat our first dose of this. No one ever wants to get out of bed in the morning but we know that if we lay in bed all day we will most likely feel like garbage later and when you snooze you’re giving into that resistance. Start acknowledging the resistance in everything you do, starting with getting out of bed and you will be much stronger in not giving in and doing more things to create a happier life.
DEDICATE WORK TO SOMEONE YOU LOVE. The next part that really helped me (because I NEEDED IT BAD) was dedicating my work to ensure that I was always doing my best. I worked in Walt Disney World, the Happiest Place on Earth, right? Right. But working 14 hour days would drag sometimes. But regardless of my day, I was a part of thousands of peoples’ vacations that they spent thousands on. I had to keep a smile on my face and deliver the absolute best guest service day after day, hour after hour. So this was my best tool. When you dedicate your work to someone you love you’re going to do better, smile bigger and feel more fulfilled, as well. Kelly’s advice was to work each hour for someone. You definitely aren’t going to half-ass an hour that you have dedicated to your grandma or even your beloved dog? Amiright??? This was hands down the best tool that got me through those long days that turned to night.
TALK TO GOD. As many of you know I am a devoted Catholic. I usually don’t post about it on here because I know not everyone is but this is an exception and if you’re not. Talk to the Man upstairs that you personally, believe in or even just substitute this for meditation, just moments alone with yourself. Kelly’s life changed magnificently once he gave 10 minutes to God everyday. That’s it. Discuss your strengths, your challenges and downfalls. Discover ways to feel connected with God and you will feel more connected with yourself and your feelings. Since reading this book not a day has gone by that I didn’t pray before bed and most days I pray when I wake up now too. I feel closer to God and to myself each day and I am ready to take on a happier life.
Lastly, this isn’t a separate point but just a quote, “God doesn’t want us to be lukewarm. He wants to set us on fire.” Think about that in every aspect of your life; relationships, job, hobbies. Stop being lukewarm and find your passions.
So there you have it. Those are the top 3 takeaways that I got from this book. I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND it for anyone. Even if you think you are living your best, happiest life, I guarantee something in this book will resonate with you and make your days more purposeful.
With all of that being said, I am fully concentrating on what makes me happy… with many new blog posts to come
