When I was 22 in NYC, I lived in a crummy apartment located in a shady neighborhood. It was a 5-floor walk up and hot as hell during summer. My roommate would bring home boys every night. I was interning full-time at a modeling agency and also working full-time at a restaurant to pay the bills. I loved every minute of it. I was thriving and always had the biggest smile on my face.
There was also a time when I lived in the Bay Area, had an easy job that paid well, lived near my family, ate fancy dinners, traveled the world, could have anything I wanted, but at the same time I had a hard time getting out of bed. I was miserable.
True happiness is not circumstantial. It never is.
Life has taught me that if you know how to do these two things, you will always be happy.
1. Be grateful.
Do you feel like you have abundance in your life? If the answer is no, then you aren’t grateful. Being grateful isn’t just saying or knowing that you should be. I can easily say, “I know there are hungry people in other parts of the world,” but if I don’t appreciate the food I’m about to eat, it’s not going to make any difference. So whenever I remember to, I literally thank my food. I look at my brussel sprouts and thank the little guys. Then I laugh and eat them.
2. Love Yourself.
Cheesy but true. They say that you can only be lonely if you don’t like the person you’re with. If you know how to love yourself, you’ll stop looking for other things to feel good and complete. Not only will you feel fulfilled, but you’ll set the bar to show other people how to love you.
It really IS that simple! Totally love this! I’m learning to love and accept ME, to just BE. ME. Yay for the spirit and for the love of Life!
Really beautiful words. So many people can relate I’m sure. Well done.
I couldn’t agree more! Love this post, Cc… Love YOU! Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom 🙂
TRUTH!!! You are amaaaazing Christine, Thanks for being YOU!!!xoxo
It is so true that true happiness has to come from loving who you are first. You can’t love other people unless you love yourself first, to love other people you have to share part of yourself. If you aren’t content, happy and fulfilled to start of with, no body would want to be with you. It is so important to be you, to do things that make you feel proud, satisfied and alive. Work on things that you feel has valued and make you a better person.