This afternoon I snuck out of the house for a quick errand [while still wearing my pink plaid PJ's]…
When I was stopped at a stoplight I saw a homeless man who looked emaciated and had his house contained in the grocery cart that he was pushing. It was a strange sight to see since we live in the ‘burbs, but it got me thinking…
What is enough?
What is the best?
What is happiness?
And what is health?
Enough to one person may be hardly enough to another. The best to me may be barely the beginning to you. Happiness is full of accomplishment and laughter in my mind but may be quiet time alone to someone else. And healthy could mean mentally stable or physically fit depending upon who you ask.
With the New Year just kicking off, I think it’s easy to get stuck in a comparison trap. To compare ourselves to others around us, to the guidelines we read, to the stars we see on TV. We often set goals or make resolutions to improve ourselves in some way because that’s what we’re “supposed to do.”
I’ve done my fair share of it in the past… I’ve hoped, I’ve wanted, and I’ve wished to be person X with trait Y by doing Z but it hasn’t gotten me anywhere. Actually, it may have gotten me somewhere, but that somewhere was a place where I was trying to be someone I wasn’t. Why not make a goal to better yourself because that’s what you wanna do? And if you don’t, you shouldn’t feel obligated to!
No matter what goals or resolutions you make this year, remember how blessed you are. You’ve got a roof over your head, food on your plate, family and friends who love you, and opportunities at your fingertips. Do not deprive yourself of these things, enjoy them while you can, because heaven forbid one day you may not have them.
Tonight Ryan and I are planning to make a list of a few goals that we hope to achieve together in 2013… Such as date night once a month. I’m looking forward to it! I hope y’all have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend, TGIF 
Today… #elf4Health 1/4 Day 40: Run or walk a mile as fast as you can! No walking or running for me today but I’m hoping to be a bit more active this weekend.
This Weekend… #elf4Health 1/5-6 Day 41-42: Watching TV? Get up and move during the commercial breaks.
Question: What’s your favorite TV series? Friday Night Lights, Nashville, and New Girl are on the top on my list lately… We also started Dexter but I haven’t decided what I think of it.
Question: What does happiness mean to you?
— Allison
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Great post! My hubby and I make goals together every year. A few financial, a few family and a few personal. Then we post them on our bathroom mirror where we can see them everyday
That’s an awesome idea to have a goal for each category! I’m thinking of posting them on our fridge for a daily reminder
amen. I wish I could spend more time with you in person because I love hearing your perspective on all things deep. I know you say you may sound cheesy but what I hear is genuineness and that is refreshing.
Well shucks, thank you girl! I have a feeling we’ll be spending lots of time together this year and you’ll get more than enough of my “wisdom”
I think those are some great things to think about… we’re fortunate for all we have & sometimes I do get stuck in the comparison trap.
My very favorite TV series is Dexter. My husband & I watch it together each time & I’m SO sad it’s over for the time being. We also love Breaking Bad & Game of Thrones.
Ooo, I haven’t heard of Breaking Bad, but I’ve heard good things about Game of Thrones!
I like this post a lot and it’s nice to see blog topics that are so deep. I dont have a lot to comment about this post, but I’m certainly spinning the wheels thinking in my own mind. Thanks for that food for thought.
Thanks girl! I’m always hesitant to get too “deep” on the blog but sometimes you just gotta roll with the rambles!
It’s always good to be reminded of how lucky we are, because it’s so easy to forget
Definitely!
Love the pink plaid pajamas! Too cute!
Friday Night Lights is a fave! I wish it was still on! I love New Girl and The Mindy Project as well!
Happy weekend love!
Hehe, thanks! I really wish it was too, but Nashville is a pretty good filler
Happy weekend!
Gosh I love this post. Amen sista. I have finally accepted that what is happiness/health to someone else or even the “majority” is not always what is right for me. It’s a learning process! I like your idea for date night once a month. And I LOVE Dexter, but it definitely isn’t for everyone.
Amen to you too! I’m so glad you’ve realized it too
I can’t decide, I don’t like it cause he’s killing people BUT he’s also doing better for the community… Hm 
Great post girl!! We all need to reminded of how blessed we truly are!
Thanks girl and definitely!
I almost feel as though you were speaking directly to me through this post, Allison. I definitely needed to be reminded of this today. Thank you soooo much!! <3 Have a great weekend! Hope you feel completely well again soon!!!
Aw, I’m so glad! I hope you have a fabulous weekend girl and expect a text/ email from me
What a great and inspiring post!
I am loving Nashville, as well. It is one of the only new shows this year that I have really gotten into. I cannot wait until it returns next week!
I love the “make it your own” message. To me happiness has a lot to do with feeling connected to those I hold dear to my heart: family, friends and neighbors.
Thank you! And I definitely agree- family and friends are definitely some of my most happy times
I think the beauty of happiness is that it is so different for each person. Something I find to be enough might be too much for some, or not enough for others. It’s all self perceived. My favorite TV shows are, anything reality basically haa.
Amen and I completely agree! Haha, I love reality shows too but need to find some new ones… The Bach starts soon!
This post could not have come at a more perfect time. Material things aren’t important. Things like your health and your loved ones are important. I don’t know why it’s so difficult to keep in mind at times, but I’m trying everyday to just be so, so grateful for all the incredible blessings in my life.
Sometimes it’s just a simple sight or image that stops us in our tracks and makes us realize how truly fortunate we are. It’s so easy to get caught up in our own worlds, and to begin comparing ourselves to everything and everyone that seems to be “better.” However, who we are, what we are, and where we are, are blessings that make ourselves and our situations unique! We should celebrate all that we have instead of focusing on what we wish we had. Easier said than done, but this is such a great reminder!
Favorite show right now: Downton Abbey! I can’t wait for the season premiere Sunday night! I also want to start watching New Girl soon…I’ve heard so many great things!
Definitely agree that it’s easier said than done! And I keep hearing great things about Downtown Abbey! And actually watched a show on HGTV last night about the castle it’s filmed at- so beautiful!
Beautiful! I love this. Goals should be all about you as an individual. I definitely get into the comparison trap, but I am working on it this year and so far doing great! I also strive to make the most of each day. It has helped a lot. Ah I love Nashville I hope it makes it and continues! I also loved Friday Night Lights
Way to go girl, that’s awesome! And oh em gee, is Nashville potentially not coming back?! I *think* it restarts this week, right?
I had an awakening like this YEARS AGO (over 13) while I laid in a hospital bed being tube fed from my eating disorder. I was in a children’s hospital and my roommate was there for a condition that was terminal. My ED was terminal and not a choice. Eating Disorders are a disease. HOWEVER, recovery from an eating disorder was my choice. Recovery from my hospital roommate’s condition was not her choice. She could not decide to get treatment and recover. No matter how much treatment she received, her recovery was non existent. This woke me up and since then I had never looked back! I made it a point to not take for granted my ability to choose to get well and live, when there are so many out there who do not have this ability. All my prayers and thoughts to those who do not have this choice…
Wow, that is such an inspirational story! And that is absolutely awesome that you were able to recognize that… My younger brother was diagnosed with a chronic illness when he was 6-years-old and spent the majority of 3 years in the hospital in and out of surgery. At the time I was pretty young myself but thinking back to that time makes me realize how fortunate I am. I have a few chronic diseases myself but it is my choice how I handle them day after day. It’s my choice to do what’s best for me!
This is beautiful, hun. I’m glad I read this today, especially with someone leaving tomorrow. To me, happiness is being content with where you are and what you have, while looking forward to the future without the expense of the present…not sure if that last part makes sense but basically I think that it’s good to look forward to what’s coming but not so much so that you lose sight of the blessings you have in the present. That’s my goal for the next few months…look forward to Joe coming home in March and use that to get through rougher days but don’t focus on that so much either that I lose sight of the many wonderful things I still have at this time, too.
I love what you said about happiness “happiness is being content with where you are and what you have, while looking forward to the future without the expense of the present”- so true! I hope you had a wonderful weekend with the boy and are remembering all of those happy times with him… It’s not a goodbye, it’s just a TTFN!
This is such a great post girl!! You are definitely right!! I think we have a tendency to lose sight of all the things we have and should be thankful for! We should be enjoying all the moments NOW! (I try to explain that to my work-a-holic bf!) Life is too short to not enjoy it with the ones you love! P.S – best PJ’s ever! Hope you’re feeling 100% again!
Thanks so much! XO
Couldn’t agree more with this post
Doing what you want to do, being the person you already are, that’s what’s important. You can’t be happy until you accept who you are. There’s nothing wrong with trying to improve, but before you do that, think about what would actually make you happy. It might be something really simple!
Exactly, love your approach and outlook!