The Power of Positivity

I feel like my life is falling apart. Everything is spiraling out of control. Nothing is going the way I want. I don't even know what I'm doing anymore.  I wish I didn't have to feel anything right now. My life just sucks.

Does your life really suck or are you only focusing on the negative? Everyone has failed a test. Everyone gets broken up with. Everyone has had someone special in their life pass away. These not-so-awesome things are all a part of life. We must learn and grow from the hardships we face rather than remain stuck in a rut.

Keep those negative thoughts out of your head! Here's a brief but handy happiness guide. Bookmark this page; it'll be useful on those unpleasant days.

 
Shift your focus- You can't focus on the bad, because it will consume you. Life is what you make of it. Life is what you see. If all you see is your tornado of sadness, you'll find yourself perpetually unhappy. Don't spend your days somber. There is beauty in the every day, you just have to open your eyes.

Count your blessings- The fact that you woke up this morning is a plus. Were you in a bed? Some people don't have a nice, comfy bed to sleep in. Was there a roof over your head? Did you eat anything today? Did you use your fancy phone, swanky computer,  or rad music player at any point?  Many people don't have access to such loot. Did you see or talk to a friend? These little things are often forgotten, but how are they unimportant?

Learn from the bad stuff- So you didn't do very well on that test last week. It's been depressing you terribly. It's all you can talk about for four days straight. Do yourself and others a favor and stop  it! Ask yourself: what is the lesson to be learned from this experience? You failed the test, but you  figured out that you need to dedicate more hours to studying. Maybe next time you'll form a study group or visit the professor's office hours. There is always a moral to every story.

Make a happy list-  Write down all the good things or simple pleasures that happened today. On most days, the positives should outweigh the negatives. Create a list and see for yourself just how fabulous your life really is. It's not lame. Try it out! Here's mine:

Positive things that happened to me today:

1. I woke up in my nice, warm tangled mess of blankets.
2. I watched several ultra hilarious episodes of "That 70's Show."
3. The sun is shining and the weather is sweet.
4. My hair looks really good.
5. I ate so much delicious food (vegan pizza with red bell pepper, broccoli & mushrooms, ginger snaps, & dark chocolate covered espresso beans).
6. I had not one, but two, cups of scrumptious tea.
7. I did all my laundry for free!
8. I spent the day with various important people in my life.

5 Things To Do Before Thanksgiving

The following is a true story:

I was wearing these long red and white striped socks. The top part was green and folded over, like something a little elf would wear. I was wearing black mary-janes, so the stripes were visible through my shoe. 

My coworker said to me, "Candycane socks? Isn't it a bit early?"

I looked at him, my mouth ajar, my eyes wide open.

"Uh, no!" I scoffed.

So I now proclaim: tis the season to wear tacky sweaters, striped socks, and everything festive! I've been waiting all year for this, and it has rapidly arrived. A quarter of my wardrobe is meant for these cooler temperatures. There are so many thrifted sweaters, jean jackets, oversized cardigans, thick coats, and patterned hoodies waiting for their fall debut. But more important than the fall fashion is  the fact that now is the season for thanksgiving!

Let's face it, we should be thankful all year round. However, tis the season to be extra thankful! Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching: the countdown awaits. Let's do some good, send some love, and give some thanks! We must make the most of our time! Have you noticed that life is going by way too fast?

Here's a list of 5 things to do before November 24. These tasks are for your own benefit as well as for others. Let's make the best of the holidays, be kind, and spread some cheer. Promise yourself that you'll accomplish these five things. Spread the love! Show your thanks!

1. Talk to an old buddy - Flip through your phone right now and either call or text someone you haven't spoken to in a while. This person is in your phone for a reason, you haven't deleted them quite yet. Take 30 seconds type out: Hey! It's been forever! How are you? Send it to a high school buddy you haven't spoken to in years, or a former coworker you haven't heard from in a while. If you have more time, actually give them a ring and see what's up.  Think of it this way: how surprised would you be if they called you randomly?

2. Go for a walk - Do yourself a favor and go for a walk or a bike ride just before the sun goes down. Nothing feels better than feeling alive! The rush of your warm blood throughout your body on a crisp, cool walk is practically perfection. Plus, a walk is a form of exercise. Remember to shoot for 30-60 minutes of activity a day. 

3. Write a thank you note - A handwritten letter has immense power. You could really touch  someone by telling them what they mean to you, how they have influenced you, or a quality you admire about them. Pick someone who would really appreciate a personal and unique note, such as a parent, relative, friend, or mentor.

4. Smile at a stranger - I'll always remember something my teacher said when she moved to California from New York. She proclaimed to the class that we Californians were so friendly because we randomly smiled as we pass by people. She said it was hard for her to smile back because she wasn't used to it. Smile at a stranger! They may wonder why you're grinning, but it's all for the sake of being happy. Maybe they'll smile at someone else.

5. Stargaze - Do it alone. Do it with friends. It doesn't matter who's there, just take the night off from whatever it is you usually do.  The nights have become increasingly brisk, so take a comfy blanket. Take the night to reconnect with nature and spend the time viewing the vast skies. Nothing makes your problems feel more minuscule than realizing how small they are compared to the massive universe.

Nutty Rabbit Salad

Since I'm vegetarian and incorporate a lot of veggies, greens, and plant-based foods into my diet, I've been asked countless times how I can survive on "rabbit food." Frankly, I've never had a rabbit, so I'm not entirely sure what they eat. But if rabbits eat what I eat, then I wouldn't mind being one. Anyway, I was extremely hungry and scoured my fridge to see what was hidden within. The result was kind of random, but totally yummy. So that's how the Nutty Rabbit Salad came into the universe. This is a not-so-average salad. I think the rabbits of the world would be proud.

Nutty Rabbit Salad    

Ingredients:

2 cups spinach

1 cup chopped green beans

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1 tbsp sunflower seeds

1 tsp flax seeds

First, add a little bit of extra virgin olive oil to a pan on medium heat.  Let it warm up then dump in your green beans. Let the beans simmer for a few minutes, until they start to look slightly cooked. Next, you need to add the almonds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. Sauté until the green beans look fully cooked and the nutty mixture turns slightly brown.

The next step is to wash your spinach and shredded carrots, then add it to a large bowl. Add in the cooked concoction and stir altogether so that it forms a delicious goodness. The dressing is up to you. In this particular rendition of the Nutty Rabbit Salad, I used Archer Farms Thai Peanut Sauce, which was superb. Add some oil and balsamic vinegar. Maybe some lemon and pepper. You're the one eating it, so make it how you want it. 

This is an excellent appetizer or dinner salad. You can make it for yourself. You can share it with a friend. Whip this up and impress your date (I recommend this one).  This will satiate your appetite, while giving you that fabulous home-cooked meal feeling in the pit of your stomach.

Bon appétit!

*Rabbit-approved meal.