happy thoughts Archives - Life in Manila

With the hubby attending classes at graduate school on Saturdays, I get to have more time in my hands to sleep longer and bond more with family members who live just across the street. It’s fun and I’m enjoying every minute of it. This temporary setup makes me happy.

Like last Saturday, for instance. I woke up late again and after having breakfast, I started reading this book titled “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin. (I have the e-book version,though.) It’s a nice book where the author herself talks about her own happiness project. She’s already happy but she wants to be “happier.” At first I thought she was weird, wanting to be happier and all, but as I continued reading, I found myself relating to her stories more and more. I like that she’s a smart lady and the book is peppered with a lot of facts based from various studies as well as quotes from the authors and philosophers that she looks up to.

Continue reading “Weekend Story: Ordinary but Never Boring”

I have to admit there are times when I forget to be grateful for the blessed life I happen to have. This is especially true when good things keep coming into my life. I tend to get overwhelmed and preoccupied and eventually, feel a sense of guilt. Somehow, I feel that by forgetting to show gratitude, I am letting God down. For is it not from Him that everything I get to have in this life come from?

Image Source: http://www.littlemiracles.com.au/blog/speaking-life/the-importance-of-gratitude

Is it just me or does this happen to you as well? That’s why I thought of saying thanks first thing in the morning and before closing my eyes at night. Sometimes, I feel that it’s insincere, though. Or pilit lang. Recently, I’ve decided to say thank you to God whenever I feel like it and wherever I may be. Aside from the basics (e.g. life, family, marriage, job, food, shelter, clothing, etc.), it could be for a simple task I finished, a surprise I received (like this one time when I got a cute little ring from my brother similar to those class rings from joyjewelers.com), a small favor I got from someone, a big blessing that came my way, a kind comment from a blog reader, or just about anything that has made me happy. I like how it’s spontaneous and genuine. No pretensions, no exaggerations. No routines, no timing.

Continue reading “On Gratefulness”