Be Yourself and Happy!

Throughout my life it seems I always want people to be happy and therefore I do things to please. Lately, I have realized that am not making myself happy because mostly, it’s all about other people. As I get older, I stop looking to please everybody else. I no longer care what they think of me although sometimes I'm still afraid of making decision on simplest things just because I think of others' opinion more than my own judgement. I often think whether they will like it or not. Yes, I am still learning and exploring at the same time. Life is a long journey to walk, and hundreds of problems need to be solved. Therefore, we need to look at positive side of things.

"By letting it go... it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try... the world is beyond winning." - Lao Tzu

Just be yourself, you are the only lucky enough to know because you are amazing just the way you are!

10 Things you should give up to be happy:

1.   Give up your need to always be right.

2.   Give up your need for control.

3.   Give up blame.

4.   Give up your self-defeating self-talk, and your limiting beliefs.

5.   Give up complaining.

6.   Give up your need to impress others.

7.   Give up your resistance to change.

8.   Give up your fears.

9.   Give up your excuses.

10. Give up on living your life to fit other peoples’ expectations.

  

I'm learning not to sweat the small stuff. This past years have been about finding strength within myself - not looking for it in others. I try to be a good person and be nice and kind, though it's a work in progress but I am getting there because I realized that sweating the small stuff is the problem. I now let go of things that don't make me happy and start looking towards achieving goals and just live one day at time.

Kristin Neff, Ph.D., says that it’s time to “stop beating yourself up and leave insecurity behind.” Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind offers expert advice on how to limit self-criticism and offset its negative effects, enabling you to achieve your highest potential and a more contented, fulfilled life.

Be kind to yourself. Stop telling yourself that whatever you are struggling with 'should' be easy. If something is hard for you, it is hard for you. There are probably reasons, though for some people may just be how they think. People are wired differently. Acknowledge these things. When you finish something hard, be proud! Celebrate a little. And really, just stop saying 'should' to yourself about your thoughts and feelings in any context. You feel how you feel. The things in your head are the things in your head. You can’t change either directly through sheer force of will. You can only change what you do. Stop beating yourself up for who and what you are right now -- it isn’t productive. Focus on moving forward.

It’s time to “stop beating yourself up and leave insecurity behind!“

Nature Therapy

The things of nature are "good for the soul" and I wish people would take more time to appreciate the wonders of nature all around us. It's FREE! Nothing feeds the soul, mind and spirit like a flower, a hummingbird, a tree, the wind or a sun-drenched pink and gold evening sky.

Here are 10 scientific proofs that nature is natural therapy:

1. In a study in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, researchers found that people experienced more deaths from heart disease and respiratory disease when they lived in areas where trees had disappeared.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/21/trees-linked-with-human-h_n_2505267.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=Green

2. Those who live in the areas with the most amount of green space have lower levels of cortisol (known as the stress-hormone), and their self-reported feeling of stress were lower than those who spent more time in urban settings.http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/emotional-health/spending-time-outside-relieves-stress
 
3. Spending days in nature, away from electronic devices, is linked with 50% higher scores on a test for creativity. The findings provide “a rationale for trying to understand what is a healthy way to interact in the world, and that burying yourself in front of a computer 24/7 may have costs that can be remediated by taking a hike in nature,” study researcher David Strayer, a psychology professor at the University of Utah. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/16/creativity-nature-unplug-recharge-_n_2286735.html

4. Walking through nature evidence of lower frustration, engagement and arousal, and higher concentration and positive emotions. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23467965

5. ADHD symptoms within children are greatly reduced when in the presence of nature and after doing activities in nature. Findings were consistent across age, gender, and income groups; community types; geographic regions; and diagnoses. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448497

6. Two hours of forest walking improves the following sleep characteristics; impacting actual sleep time, immobile minutes, self-rated depth of sleep, and sleep quality. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3216244

7. Living in a green environment with plants in your home is linked to lower stress reduction and improve stress moderation and management. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204611003665

8. Walking through nature decreases brain fatigue. When volunteers walked through urbanized areas with heavy traffic, their brain wave patterns consistently showed that they were more aroused, attentive and frustrated than when they walked through the parkland, where brain-wave readings became more meditative. This study encourages “taking a break from work,” Dr. Roe said, and “going for a walk in a green space or just sitting, or even viewing green spaces from your office window.” http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/27/easing-brain-fatigue-with-a-walk-in-the-park/

9. Juyoung Lee of Chiba University found that leisurely forest walks, compared with urban walks, yield a 12.4% decrease in the stress hormone cortisol, a seven percent decrease in sympathetic nerve activity, a 1.4% decrease in blood pressure, and a 5.8% decrease in heart rate. On subjective tests, study participants also report better moods and lower anxiety. http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/wellness/Take-Two-Hours-of-Pine-Forest-and-Call-Me-in-the-Morning.html?page=all 

10. Nature walks can even fight disease and cancer by increasing your NK (natural killer) cells that are essentially to the innate immune system. When participants agreed to go on morning and afternoon nature hikes, blood tests showed that their NK cells had increased 40 percent. A month later, their NK count was still 15 percent higher than when they started. By contrast, during urban walking trips, NK levels didn’t change.http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/wellness/Take-Two-Hours-of-Pine-Forest-and-Call-Me-in-the-Morning.html?page=all

  "Come forth into the light of things, let NATURE be your teacher." - William Wordsworth

Breathe in the beauty of nature.

Spring Happiness

Lately, I've been spending outside taking lots of pictures. I think I have found a new passion. I've always been fascinated with photography and I also enjoy looking at beautiful pictures from people around the world. I'm passionate about sharing pictures that I took with the world to see my point of view and hopefully I learn something a long the way. This year Spring has been gorgeous and it's all about fluffy clouds, blooming flowers, chirping birds and lots of sunshine. Anywhere is beautiful when it's sunny and dry. I love blue sky in Oregon. I personally love pleasant weather in spring. Being with nature makes me happy and I have develop great interest in exploring outdoors.

“Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” - Elliott Erwitt

I'm in awe of anyone who finds something that he/she likes and be able to capture God's creation either through music or photography which is universal language that can be understood by people around the globe, it's amazing talent.

There are so many things to learn than just photography. I am now inspired to learn how to observe, capture the moments and choosing the objects. Elliot Erwitt said: “All the technique in the world doesn’t compensate for the inability to notice.”

I joined Instagram in late 2012 and I'm already hooked! I love taking pictures of anything that tickles my interest but mostly nature's beauty.

I have learned so much from others along the way and one of the best things that I like is when your picture get pick to be featured on one of the challenges. I love getting the 'likes' and sweet compliments from amazing people who already have really nice gallery. I love how people from around the world connecting through picture and congratulating each other. I feel like every one is sharing the same passion.

If you like to check it out, follow me here: http://instagram.com/lanicantik or view my photo gallery: http://twenty20.com/lanicantik and http://lanicantik.vsco.co/

“A photograph that has not been shared or at least printed is almost an unexistent photograph, is almost an untaken picture.” 

All around the world, the present moment is filled with beauty.
If you are attentive, you will see it. If you are willing, you will help create it.
Let’s take a moment to think about the beautiful things happening around us.
Right now, at this exact moment…

Here are top 10 favorite photography quotes that I like: http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2012/06/101-inspirational-street-photography-quotes
 
1. “The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.” – Oscar Wilde

2. “The photograph is completely abstracted from life, yet it looks like life. That is what has always excited me about photography.” – Richard Kalvar

3. “Ultimately photography is about who you are. It’s the truth in relation to yourself. And seeking truth becomes a habit.” – Leonard Freed

4. “The camera is an excuse to be someplace you otherwise don’t belong. It gives me both a point of connection and a point of separation.” – Susan Meiselas

5. “I think good dreaming is what leads to good photographs.” – Wayne Miller

6. “I fell in love with the process of taking pictures, with wandering around finding things. To me it feels like a kind of performance. The picture is a document of that performance.” – Alec Soth

7. “It takes a lot of imagination to be a good photographer. You need less imagination to be a painter, because you can invent things. But in photography everything is so ordinary; it takes a lot of looking before you learn to see the ordinary.” – David Bailey

8. “Not everybody trusts paintings but people believe photographs.” – Ansel Adams

9. “Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is.” – Anonymous

10. “You can give everything to photography but photography will give you only 1 thing – happiness.” – Anonymous

“This is your time to fly away and chase all your dreams, remember life is like a play, you must act each scene with passion--embracing and enjoying the part. If you should ever get lost along the way, look to the stars, take a deep breath and follow your heart.”

“Every human being on the planet wants to be happy. Anything that anyone desires is because they think their desire will make them happy. Whether it is health, money, a loving relationship, material things, accomplishments, a job, or anything at all, the desire for happiness is the bottom line of all of them. But remember that happiness is a state inside of us, and something on the outside can only bring fleeting happiness, because material things are impermanent. Permanent happiness comes from you choosing to be permanently happy. When you choose happiness, then you attract all the happy things as well. The happy things are the icing on the cake, but the cake is happiness.” ~Rhonda Byrne (From The Secret Daily Teachings)

Half Full Perspective

Perception is unique to every individual and is simply one's interpretation of reality. The phrase "Is the glass half empty or half full" can be referred to as philosophical question. The purpose of this question is to demonstrate that the situation may be seen in different ways depending on one's point of view and that there may be opportunity in the situation as well as trouble. Life is a series of choices. The choices you make in life will greatly influence the friends you have, what you and your friends do, where you live, what you will do with yourself to contribute to society, who you will marry, and most importantly where you will spend eternity.

In life, it is easy to make excuses of why you aren't where you really want to be, but really, the only excuse that makes sense is that you just haven't fought hard enough to get there yet. Are you an optimist or pessimist?




Although I'm seeing myself as a realist but I'm always hopeful and choosing positive thoughts. I think being optimist is always healthier choice. I’ve learned that life is a lot more pleasant when one looks at the bright side, seeing the glass half full and they are more fun to be around.

“Optimism is the belief that good things will happen to you and that negative events are temporary setbacks to be overcome.”

In a book called “Breaking Murphy’s Law,” Suzanne C. Segerstrom, a professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky, explained that optimism is not about being positive so much as it is about being motivated and persistent. She also wrote: “People can learn to be more optimistic by acting as if they were more optimistic,” which means “being more engaged with and persistent in the pursuit of goals.”

Occasionally I need the dose of 'optimism' to keep me grounded and reminded me that it really is a conscious choice. Some of my favorite quotes are:

“Optimist: Person who travels on nothing from nowhere to happiness.” – Mark Twain

“A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.” – Harry Truman

“The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose.” – Kahlil Gibran

Here's a great metaphoric story:

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything."

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!

DON'T WORRY. EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE AMAZING.

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

By Deepak Chopra -- taken from: http://www.chopra.com/sslos

I have gained so much wisdom through this book. I love these messages that were clearly defined in a simple way to manifest success in our daily lives. A step by step instructions with effective solutions to a peaceful living. One of the simplest insights to apply in everyday life, is to remember that the easiest way to achieve a goal or get what you want out of life (whether it is personal or business oriented) is to help others succeed. Success is much easier to accomplish when you have support from others and surrounded by people who want you to succeed.

“When we understand these laws and apply them in our lives, anything we want can be created, because the same laws that nature uses to create a forest, or a galaxy, or a star, or a human body can also bring about the fulfillment of our deepest desires.” - Deepak Chopra

We need to realize that becoming successful need not be a struggle of monumental effort but instead, when we surrender ourselves to the laws of the universe, it is a natural outpouring of being in alignment with the Creator.. the state of true spirituality.

The Law of Pure Potentiality 

Take time to be silent, to just BE. Meditate for 30 minutes twice a day. Silently witness the intelligence within every living thing. Practice non-judgment. We have unlimited pure potentiality all around us. We need to be open and ready. Do not lock you into one thing. The universe gives us the ability to manifest and do what we like, we just have to know how to get it. There is unlimited pure potential.

The Law of Giving and Receiving 

Today bring whoever you encounter a gift: a compliment or flower. Gratefully receive gifts. Keeps wealth circulating by giving and receiving care, affection, appreciation and love. We have to have the ability to receive. When a person gives us something and we say no that is creating an imbalance. It is important to give every day: give thanks, gratitude, support, love freedom, what you can afford, time. All that you give you will receive back bigger and better than ever.

The Law of Karma 

Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind. Choosing actions that bring happiness and success to others ensures the flow of happiness and success to you. Everything you do has choices and generates that energy that will be returned to you. Before you do something, you can check to see if it is the highest and good for you and all. You will know if it is good, if you feel good. If it feels like a knot in your belly after a choice that may not have been the highest and best. But each choice is a learning experience.

The Law of Least Effort
Accept people, situations, and events as they occur. Take responsibility for your situation and for all events seen as problems. Relinquish the need to defend your point of view. This one goes against what we have learned set a goal and work hard, spend a lot of time, you need work hard to get things...Wrong. The universe and nature finds the path of least resistance which is the least effort. We need to work smart and listen to the signs that the universe is giving us that are the path of least effort. When in a chaos, do not get caught up in it and let it get to you, take time and breath. Then just flow in the situation, the outcome will be turn out better than you can imagine.

The Law of Intention and Desire 
Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment. Make a list of desires. Trust that when things don't seem to go your way, there is a reason. Set your intentions and desires and then let them be. You may really want one outcome and think that is the best but if it does not happen that is because there is something better for you. If you force it you may get it but you will not be happy or be what you thought it was. Set your intentions and desires for the highest and best for you.

The Law of Detachment
Allow yourself and others the freedom to be who they are. Do not force solutions -- allow solutions to spontaneously emerge. Uncertainty is essential, and your path to freedom. This is also in the same vain as the law of least effort where you set your intentions and desires and then let them be. Do not force it and keep working at it, you will be missing the real opportunities for that intention. Also as the law of intentions and desires, do not be attached to one outcome becomes that may not be in the highest and best for you. So you will get something better if you pay attention to the signs.

The Law of Dharma
Seek your higher Self. Discover your unique talents. Ask yourself how you are best suited to serve humanity. Using your unique talents and serving others brings unlimited bliss and abundance. When you live your life that everything you do is for the highest and best for you and all. You will be the happiest and all of the other laws are working for you. You know you are in this when you do little efforts and accomplish many things.

“Success in life could be defined as the continued expansion of happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals. Success is the ability to fulfill your desires with effortless ease.“ - Deepak Chopra