My Creatively Random Life

Happiness can be faked. What?  I know that was what I said at first.  However it really does work. One of my favourite take aways from Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project is that a part of being happy is acting happy.  Playing the part of what you want to be is advice that people give you all the time in so many areas of life.  Why?  Because it works.  Dress for the job you want, act professional etc. Acting happier works as well, when you start acting happier you are training your mind to be happier with what you have right in the moment and and it becomes a habit.

Richard Carrack received the title of Marquis of Stonemede upon his father’s death six months ago. Knowing of the duties associated with the title, he decides to marry and spend the remainder of his days tending to the estate. His requirements for his bride are simple; he wishes her to be obedient and calm-spirited. When circumstances place him in the path of Lady Brianna Denton, whose wild ways make her an unsuitable candidate, he lies about his identity to discourage her from pursuing him for his title. Brianna Denton knows what she wants out of life. She wishes to marry an untitled lord and live the remainder of her days in the country with no obligations. Only then can she spend her free time painting. When she meets Mr. Richard, she decides he would make the perfect husband. Little does she know, her boldness puts her in a position where she must decide between what she always thought she wanted and what her heart is telling her. Choosing a H book was hard, I had so many in m...

Day eight of the  A to Z Challenge ! Hebetude  Definition: the state of being dull : lethargy Sentence: His wife thought he was suffering from a classic case of hebetude. Halcyon  Definition: calm : tranquil : peaceful : happy Sentence: There was always a halcyon atmosphere amongst the friends. Hegemony Definition:  the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others. Sentence:  Chinese officials say the purpose of their military modernization is purely defensive and they have no aspirations toward regional hegemony.                  — Business Week (Jan 10, 2011) Heterodox Definition:  characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards. Sentence:  You will think these ideas horribly heterodox, but if we all thought alike there would be nothing to write about and nothing to learn.           —  James Marchant Hortatory Definiti...

The idea of Hell is one of those things that varies it's mythology from religion to religion.  In most cases it is a place of torment, punishment for the sins we commit in this world.   To me as a relatively non-religious person, looking at the world around me I find it a lot easier to believe in Hell than in Heaven. Linear religions often depict Hell as being endless whereas in cyclic religions it is a stopping place between incarnations.  Other traditions merely consider Hell as a neutral place, a housing for the dead so to speak.  Regardless I learned some neat things about some of the mythology surrounding Hell and I would like to share them with you: 1) Though the word Hell generally brings to mind visions of fire and brimstone a number of religions including Buddhism and early Christianity also include portrayals of Hell being a cold place. 2) In Ancient Egypt a guilty person was taken by a 'devourer' and would be subjected to terrifying punishment and the...

      One of the big things that was on my mind at the beginning of this year was how to be happier.  I was very unhappy with how things were in my life and I was really searching for a way to change that.  It was something that I thought would be a lot harder than it turned out to be.      Turns out all I needed to do was stop stressing about all the shit I can't control and enjoy the little things.  (I'm not so good at that not stressing thing)  I am however getting fantastic at finding the joy in the little things in life.   Friday movie nights with my kids, impromptu coffee meetings with friends, mastering a new crochet stitch, all things that bring more happiness into my life.  A 5am workout, an hour spent studying for my course, a page written for my novel or a blog post written is another step towards a happier, saner me.     Everytime my kids want me to teach th...