CHOOSE HAPPINESS #wholebeinghappiness

Everyone has emotional predisposition.

Some people struggle with happiness. It isn’t in their “make-up,” so to speak. They wake up and scan their world for issues, worst case scenarios. 

Some people have the happy gene. I think my son does. They just see the world (and their glass) as half full no matter what. It’s in their makeup. So, when life hands them lemons, well….it may be sour, but they make lemonade and figure out how to add the sugar.

Can some people be both? I’m not sure, but there is something called the Happiness Set Point. I’m halfway through my course on WholeBeing Happiness. I barely mentioned it on stories and got more DMs about it than I ever have about anything else. I think 2020 has done a number on many of us. It’s fascinating to me how happiness can be learned. At least, I’m learning so much. Just altering my perspective and looking at my WHOLE being. We cannot thrive if we ignore parts of ourselves. *I know this to be true because I’ve tried. I’ve tried hard to shut down emotional parts of myself, trauma from my marriage— and just focus on moving forward in other areas, but this doesn’t work in the long run. “When you negate, you activate”*and those emotions come haunting you when you least expect it. 

hayden and mommy 2.jpg

I happened to be in the middle of difficult divorce on March 13th when the world collapsed. I had just gone back to B&B for a stint, wondering if possibly it could keep going. Then, everything shut down - for all of us. My set court dates for custody were pushed, then pushed again. Lawyer fees were intense. Still are. Hayden and I barely left the house (house is generous word, as we downsized to an apartment from our home).

I was going through the worst time in my life and suddenly, we needed protective gear to just walk the dog.

The stress took a toll (I know I’m not alone). In some instances, I became indecisive and had trouble making simple decisions, which I’m learning are symptoms from past trauma. This course is helping me change the way I think - even hope for the best outcomes possible and heal.

Everyone I talk to has their own story. Or worse. They lost someone during covid.  Some because of covid. So, taking your “whole being” temperature right now can be an interesting endeavor. Part of the work is figuring out where you are on their SPIRE scale, which his an acronym for spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational and emotional.

And the first hurdle is awareness.  This doesn’t take away from my devotionals or small bible study through my church. It’s simply another tool to work parallel with that. 

As a mother, a single one at that, I’m finding this course is helping me with time management. Parents can so easily get focused on certain parts of their lives (families, work, etc), they neglect the other aspects and find themselves running on empty. How many times have we thought- “there’s just not enough time in the day?” Or “I just need a day to sleep!” You get it, I’m sure.

As I mentioned in my instagram post today, I am appreciating WBI so much, I spoke to one of the founders about partnering with them to give you all a discount. Not sure exactly how we can make all this work, but If you’re interested in doing this course and end up taking it, lmk. I’d love to send you workbook that goes with it, as a gift. The same one I’m using. Plus, I’m thinking it’d be cool to do a zoom with those of you that are taking the course for us all to discuss. Thoughts? I really want to do this. They also agreed to do something extremely rare and give a $100 discount. Use code AJ100 (case sensitive). I looked at this as an invaluable experience that I could do on my own time and less expensive that traditional therapy I was orgininally going to attend.

**taken from WBHappiness Course

Happy Monday.

xo AAJ

GOOD MORNING, GOOD NEWS

HAPPY MONDAY MORNING!

Some of you have become regulars here on the blog or visiting social. Thank you! If you find out some good news, will you share it with everyone here? We need to hear it! I need to hear it! 

When we get scared, anxious and feel alone, filling our minds with something positive can inspire us to take another step and keep going.

Sunrise

Sunrise

Did you or a loved one get a good report back health-wise? Did you get a promotion? Clean out a closet and now feel more space in your brain? lol (Sometimes WE CAN CREATE OUR OWN GOOD VIBES doing something proactive).  Be of service to someone? Simply have a good cup of coffee?? Positivity spreads. When we can be happy for each other, that spirit is contagious. I’ve been so happy for friends recently that booked jobs or celebrated their wedding anniversary. Even if I’m sad and scared about my situation, it doesn’t take away from me being HAPPY FOR THEM. It’s not always easy to understand why some things work out for us and some things don’t. We just have to hold on to the belief that THERE IS ENOUGH SUNSHINE FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US. 

I was walking yesterday with Hayden and saw some bare trees. Skinny, naked and grey. So important what the seasons teach us. Those are the same trees that will have stunning, full pink blossoms next year. Last week, my girlfriend Willa Ford reminded me to thank God for good news coming. Have faith it’s coming.

That was Monday morning. And I did add that to my prayer. Late Friday, I got some good news. I booked a job!  Since y’all are such amazing supporters, I am excited to share with you. It’s an episode of a primetime show I hope you’ll like.

I’ll be able to say more later, but for now, it’s great to hear something positive on the work front. I feel blessed and want to hold on to that. Now go— your turn. Let’s keep the cycle going. Share some positive news!

xoxo

AAJ

ps- working on some fun posts for here, too. Some cozy, holiday inspired posts! And really cool wellness ones, too. Stay tuned. Now, off to workout and get some serotonin flowing.

EDIT: SINCE WRITING THIS VERY EARLY THIS MORNING, OUR CITY IS BASICALLY ON FIRE. NOW MY PRAYER IS NO ONE GETS HURT AND THE FIRE GETS CONTAINED AND THE LAFD FEELS THE LOVE WE ALL HAVE FOR THEM.