Tag: maximize happiness

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Stuck in the Past | The Happiness Killer

Life is too short to get stuck in the past. Let go of the past, make today awesome, and start building an amazing tomorrow!

One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn in life is knowing when to let go of relationships. And, like most lessons, it’s one that I’ve had to learn more than once. One of the biggest reasons I’ve let go of relationships is simply because we outgrew each other. Or we started going in separate directions in life. And most detrimental, one person is stuck in the past, holding onto a life or time that is no longer there, while I am trying to move forward.

Recently a group of old friends from high school created a group chat trying to get the group together that weekend. It didn’t go well. Several friends have families with hectic schedules, and a three-day-notice is just not enough. Others live in other cities ranging from one to five hours away (Texas is big, y’all!). The elephant in the chat… a couple of these friends clearly had not moved on in life. And it was a little sad.

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Prioritize Happiness | The Only Thing That Matters

Do what you love and prioritize happiness. Prioritize what really matters

“I wish I had let myself be happier.”

“I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”

“I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”

“I wish I had the courage to express my feelings.”

“I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”

The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying ~ Bronnie Ware

Some people are born knowing what they want to do in life.

They hone in on their life’s calling at a young age, without question. Nothing can stop their pursuit of their unique contribution to this world. There is no question about what they should major in, what job they should take, what their five- and ten-year career plan will be. They already know, the only question is how to get there.

I am not one of those people. My admiration for these passionate souls is deep.

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Bitten by the Consumerism Bug

Coming home, I was immediately bitten by the consumerism bug

After a couple of years living abroad, I was home! Home to bigger everything… bigger food portions, bigger apartments, and bigger disposable income. I was immediately bitten by the consumerism bug.

And it was intoxicating.

At first the larger portions made me feel uncomfortable, but I quickly became used to them and thoroughly enjoyed the gluttony. The lack of walking made me feel lethargic, but I soon relished having a vehicle and the convenience that came with it. I reconnected with friends, and a couple of evenings a week enjoyed lively conversation over drinks. Somehow I stumbled on the best of both worlds, enjoying the excess of American life, while keeping the confidence and independence gained living abroad.

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Good Grades in College ≠ Job After Graduation

Study hard, but understand good grades doesn't guarantee a job

In college, I kicked ass. Unfortunately for me, I had no idea good grades don’t guarantee a good job.

I completed a dual major in four years, while working 20-30 hours a week. I was part of a few college organizations. Becoming the secretary, and eventually president, of the Student Psychological Association at my campus was particularly fun and challenging. I kept a 3.75 GPA and graduated magna cum laude. I completed an undergraduate research thesis (a project typically reserved for master’s students) to get first-hand experience implementing, analyzing, and reporting on psychological experiments. My research paper for this work was published, and I even presented the results at a couple of conferences. I found an entry-level position in “my field” during the last year or so of my college career to best position myself for my first adult job.

The entryway to my career. The path towards “success.”

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