Why Can’t I Just Be Happy?

Why Can’t I Just Be Happy?

I’ve asked my self this hundreds of times in various forms over the years. So why am I not happy? I have tons of reasons, either I see other people’s highlight reels(Facebook) and wish I had what they did. Or I dwell on the fact that both of our cars are old and one needs a […]

I’ve asked my self this hundreds of times in various forms over the years. So why am I not happy? I have tons of reasons, either I see other people’s highlight reels(Facebook) and wish I had what they did. Or I dwell on the fact that both of our cars are old and one needs a paint job and my wife is embarrassed by it. Oh what about when you get invited to a friends-giving getaway and you really want to go but can’t because your car broken down. Truth is there are many more reason whey I’ve convinced my self I’m not happy but I finally came to a realization of the truth. I’m not happy because I CHOOSE NOT TO BE.

I’m sure most of us have heard at some point in life that “happiness is a choice.” Which I’ve always thought was a dumb saying that people just say in passing like “How are you?” not really wanting a reply but just being polite. It dawned on me this morning that maybe there was a little more merit to this statement.

WHAT IF our happiness is a CHOICE and not a REACTION based on our situation?

Then the not so literal sparks started going off in my head. DUH, isn’t that what hope and faith are? Seeing the unseen. The hope that this isn’t all there is and there must be more to life than just working and sleeping.

I know I’m not perfect and my mind is a constant battleground but maybe I can gain some momentum by deciding that starting with today things will be different. I choose happiness over bitterness and sorrow and defeat.

P.S. I know my blog isn’t done(so don’t be judging) but I really wanted to share this today!

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Why Do Colors Matter?

Have you ever wondered why Facebook is blue or why stop signs are red? The truth is colors have a very real impact on the way we think and feel. Have you ever noticed when you drove past a McDonald’s or Wendy’s and felt hungry all of a sudden but didn’t think you were? That’s […]

Have you ever wondered why Facebook is blue or why stop signs are red?

The truth is colors have a very real impact on the way we think and feel. Have you ever noticed when you drove past a McDonald’s or Wendy’s and felt hungry all of a sudden but didn’t think you were? That’s because the color red appeals to your appetite and symbolizes action or strong emotion.

What about the color blue? The ocean tends to make us calm and think about relaxing but it’s not just the sound of the waves crashing against the shore or the bird flying over head. The color blue make us feel peaceful and relaxed in the right setting.

Screen Shot 2015-08-24 at 2.34.00 PM
A couple years ago I designed a website for a finance company without knowing a whole lot about colors affecting us. As site progressed I had to change the color scheme to a green and gold. Come to find out certain shades of green portray wealth and gold portrays sophistication, which works great for an older demographic with money.

Here’s a fun video about how colors affect your mood.

Sources:

The Psychology of Colour | Feb 2012
http://theultralinx.com/2012/02/psychology-colour-infographic/

Color Psychology
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html

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Dr. Pepper: Farewell Old Friend

Remember that feeling when you open a fresh can or bottle of soda and take the first drink, how it burned so bad but it was oh so good? For a couple seconds you feel like nothing else matters because the rush from tasting that sweet liquid gold is running over your tongue. Since I […]

Remember that feeling when you open a fresh can or bottle of soda and take the first drink, how it burned so bad but it was oh so good? For a couple seconds you feel like nothing else matters because the rush from tasting that sweet liquid gold is running over your tongue.

The first 8 Days of Giving Soda Up.

Notes on my phone from the first 8 days of giving up soda.

Since I can remember I’ve drank Dr.Pepper. My mom and dad both drank Dr. Pepper and so did pretty much everyone else I knew. As a kid I can remember that getting a pop at the store was a big deal because we couldn’t afford much.

As I got older and had my own money I could buy it whenever I wanted. Soon Dr. Pepper or soda in general became a staple in my life. If I didn’t get my fix, I would become moody and stressed. I tried quitting, but it seemed like I couldn’t handle the stress without the DP. One time I made fourteen days without a fix. Then I talked myself into only having one can a day which turned into two to three 44oz drinks. Even though I knew soda was bad for me it didn’t matter, I needed it.

Finally one day something just clicked, If I don’t stop drinking soda I’m not going to see my son grow up. Also my super amazing boss told me that she would take $25 out of my paycheck for every pop I drank. I’m happy to report I’ve lost count of the exact days I’ve been off soda but I know it’s been at least two months.

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