Crazy Dream: Straight out of Sci-Fi

This is my dream sequence from a couple of nights ago. It's just a little gory so if you have a weak stomach you may want to refrain from reading it. If you decide to write a book or make a movie about this please be honest and give me some credit and maybe a cut of the profits, haha. I have wondered if a movie that looked as lucid as a dream would be profitable. I mean they did it with inception, but those dreams were so crisp and organized they didn't even look like dreams. Anyway, here's the adventure, enjoy:

Relocation Whoa!

Obviously I haven't written much in the past few months. So many things have happened, it's been a whirlwind adventure. In, October, the S.O. got a new job, in a new state, which has meant a lot of work for me. I quit my job, packed up the house and moved across three states back home to Texas. Yay!!! I have been pretty busy since then trying to organize the new house, get settled in, and find a new job.  I think I've finally gotten enough things done in my life to start writing again. I apologize to all of you, I know many of you were reading every post I made for awhile and I'm sure you've missed it, I know I have. Anyway, I'm back!!!! YAY!

So, about relocation. It sucks and it's exciting. Here's why:

1. Got to get rid of all my old junk, but had to pack up everything else.
2. Got to make some new friends, but had to say goodbye to some good ones.
3. Got to upgrade into a bigger place, had to clean both places.
4. Got to spend more time with my family. No negatives there.
5. Had to quit my job, haven't found a new full-time one yet.
6. I am so much happier in Texas. :)

Have you ever had a relocation experience, or thought about having one? I want to know, tell me.

~Daisy

Finding Your Happy Place: Part 12

Count Your Blessings

One of my favorite sayings and the catch phrase of my blog is, "Count the garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall. Count your life with smiles and not the tears that roll."  In other words, you should count your blessings, not your "curses." If you concentrate on the things you have to feel gunuinely happy about you'll be far happier than you would be by dwelling on the negative things.

Try to think about things you have to be happy about. If your in a deep rut you might have to start by being happy you can breathe or grateful the hands on your watch can move. Eventually if you keep thinking about it, you'll realize you have a whole lot to be happy about.

Much love
~Daisy

Finding Your Happy Place: Part 11

Laugh.

This post can really be summed up in that one magical, powerful word.  The simple act of laughing releases powerful endorphin's and makes you feel good and happy. Laughter is also contagious, when others laugh with you it creates a social connection which will also increase your happiness quotient.

So do whatever you have to do. Read a web-comic, or a daily joke. Listen to the comedy station on the radio, or watch a funny movie. Tell the person sitting next to you at the coffee shop that silly joke you haven't thought about since grade school, even if it's cheesy it'll probably make both of you laugh.

Fill the world with the sounds of he-he-he, ha-ha-ha, e-haw e-haw e-haw, hic-hic-hic, etc.

Eve of DISCtruction

Picture on the dry erase board
I got for the captains to explain
the game to the new players
 and  show strategy. 

I'll bet your probably thinking, what a weird title. Well, that's the name of Daniel's ultimate frisbee team. Since, I can't play this season, I've designated myself official cheerleader and photographer, and plan to carry out these duties to the best of my abilities for each game I am able to attend.

This week they played against Dark Slime. It was a hard fought battle, both teams played really well and the score was too close to matter. Especially since it was a pre-season scrimmage match. But, there were still prizes to be awarded.

Havasu Falls Backpacking Trip

Daniel and I at the beginning of our grand adventure. 

Our trip to Havasu Falls was fantastic. We had so much fun and learned a lot about our limits. We achieved a massive hike, slept under the stars, ate dehydrated food, swam in the falls, and rode in a helicopter. I'd say that's a successful adventure. Here's the whole story.

First look at the climb down,
check out that nervous, excited expression.

Finding Your Happy Place: Part 10

Be Here Now

I've been thinking a lot lately about the future. Big things that could change, small things that could too, and plenty of things that could just stay the same. A lot of the changes are scary, and plenty of them are exciting too.

But, in all this thinking, i.e. worrying, about things to come I have forgotten to notice what is happening around me this week, today, this hour, this very minute. I have forgotten to recognize the passing of moments and how important each and every one of those moments are.

I need this and I'm sure that many of you could use it as well. So, try to take a break from worrying about things to come and focus instead on what is happening around you right now.

Photo Frame Dry Erase Calendar

Like so many others, I've been getting inspiration from Pinterest lately. I hadn't acted on that inspiration too much until today. This morning I didn't have much to do so, I made a dry erase calendar to hang on my office wall next to my desk. I spend a lot of my spare time in that room so I thought that would be a good place.

Depending on how I feel I might move it to the kitchen, or right by the front door. We'll see. (The color scheme will go with any room in my house so it doesn't matter much really)

Anyway how was this made. Well simple. My mom and dad gave me this collage photo frame last Christmas.(free) I have a ridiculous pile of tissue paper leftover from various gift giving experiences(sorta free) and a expo marker(already owned several).

So, I cut the tissue paper to the size of the frame and put it inside. I made sure the color of the paper was light enough so the black would show up when I wrote on the glass. Then voila, perfect.

I really like the soft, almost whispered, color of the tissue paper.(It looks a lot brighter in the picture than it does in real life)

Spoiler Alert: I'm going to Havasu Falls, so there will be pictures of that are probably coming soon. 

Finding Your Happy Place: Part 9

Develop An Attitude of Gratitude

Say thank you! It's as simple as that.

For some though, this might take some time to adjust. My suggestion is to do as my old college professor once told me. Put three paperclips in your pocket. Each paperclip represents one sincere expression of gratitude. As you go about your day, remember the paperclips in your pocket and say thank you. When you do move one paperclip to the other pocket, and repeat until all of the paperclips have moved to the other side.

Then when you think you are really ready for a challenge. Once a month write a thank you letter to someone who has helped you in a significant way. Your happiness will increase and so will theirs. Expressing your gratitude make your happiness levels skyrocket and it's basically the easiest thing in the world. Right?

Say thank you, and experience the benefits! :)

~Daisy

Finding Your Happy Place: Part 8

Forgive Everyone

The importance of forgiveness is huge, ginormous even. I'm not even going to explain what forgiveness is, because fundamentally you already know. You've known every since you were a tiny tiny child and you overlooked when a peer took a toy from your stack to borrow for a few seconds and you decided it was ok to share just this once, even if they did steal it, and let them have it without contest.

"Breathe and Pray"

The past couple of weeks I've been a bit down on my luck. Here's a list of some of the unfortunate events: lost my glasses while rafting on the Animas River(had to wear sunglasses full time for two weeks), one of my campers flipped over her handle bars while biking and I had to take her to the ER to get stitches(talk about paperwork), misinterpreted directions and got lost for almost an hour somewhere between Colorado and Flagstaff, one of my campers became severely dehydrated and had to be taken to the ER(that's definitely one to grow on), had a blown out tire in the middle of nowhere Utah, nearly ran out of gas in the middle of the night on a rocky curvy mountainous road. 


Now, how in the world did I make it through all of that without having a major panic attack? Well for that I have to say thanks Mom for your infinite wisdom. She has always told me something like this, "When things get hard just breathe and pray, because life is what happens when you are busy making plans."  Each time something difficult happened, I'd find myself repeating that over and over in my head, taking that nugget of wisdom and using it to help me out. I found it relaxed me and in some cases I even shared it with my campers and they found it helpful too. 


Do you have any inspirational quotes from your childhood that help you out? If so please share, if not I hope you can use this one. :) 




~Daisy 

Finding Your Happy Place: Part 7

Practice Compassion

I recently discovered there are some people that I genuinely cannot stand. They get under my skin, push my buttons, and all the other silly phrases people use to describe relational stress. However, upon realizing this, I have also realized that these people give me an excellent opportuinity to challenge myself to PRACTICE compassion.

Tidbit #11 : Crying Doesn't Indicate Weakness

I have heard many people tell me they hate crying for many different reasons, but most of them are rooted in the idea that crying makes you seem weak. I believe crying proves exactly the opposite. It is a process of strengthening the soul. Since birth, it has always been a sign that you are alive.

Tomato Turmoil

I'm struggling a bit today with accepting the security of my new living space. Someone stole my potted tomato plant from my back porch a couple days ago. I put a lot of energy into keeping it alive and caring for it. It saddens me that someone would just take something that was so important to me.

I know that I can always grow another one, but it stinks that I won't get anymore fresh tomatoes this season.

Your support is appreciated. If anyone in Phoenix/Tempe, AZ has tomatoes growing, I would be so happy to take a few off your hands. :)

Finding Your Happy Place: Part 6

Judge Not

It is important for us to learn to understand and accept each others' differences. Each and every person is raised with different values, customs, and norms. All of these shape who we are and we change who we become throughout our lives.

Finding Your Happy Place: Part 5

Make Haste to Be Kind

My Grandmother has always been an outstanding example of what it means to be kind. She is constantly doing something nice for someone. She makes pillows for patients at a cancer hospital. She takes care of her neighbors houses and mail collection when they are gone on vacation. She buys food, clothing, and even gasoline for her friends and family on a regular basis. She smiles.  She always has something nice to say and can make conversation with anyone she meets.

For all of these reasons, my grandmother makes friends everywhere she goes, on the bus into the city, in a crowded restaurant waiting for service, in the line for security at the airport, at the park, and even at the grocery store. These simple actions are a big part of what helps her to feel happy. And it's easy as pie, which means you can do it too.

You may think you can't because it seems it will cost you time and money, but it doesn't have too. Simply smiling at someone, or using nice phrases upon arrival and departure(good morning, thanks for all the help, your service was excellent, you smell nice, etc.)  can make a big impact on someone's day, and can make you feel super. See my post about smiles.

Do nice things for others, expecting nothing in return and your soul and spirit will benefit.

Frustrated Reader

The Question: 


I'm 17, and had a traumatic relationship and break up. I love the guy but he was borderline abusive and once even raped me, though I'm pretty sure he didn't realize it was rape because I didn't say no. I developed depression and anxiety and am seeking therapy for that. He told a lot of people we knew things that I couldn't really explain myself about because I felt ashamed about how I'd been treated. I tried to be the bigger person and be friends. I apologized for my part and asked for an apology in return but he wouldn't and the relationship ended horribly. (I will not go into any more detail than that) 

Recently though, I met a wonderful guy. I have been with him for several months now. I seriously can't speak highly enough for him. He has been my rock when I really needed him. He is patient, caring, loving, and kind. So what's the problem right? Well I was desperate for the apology from my ex and was being friendly and working with him. I thought if my new boyfriend could have a word with him to explain that what he did was out of line and that I deserved and apology, then maybe it would happen. My boyfriend chose to do nothing. I brought it up to him again when I was very angry and upset(bad idea) and he still chose to do nothing. It has created a distance in our relationship. We sometimes have the perfect relationship, but there is often resentment and coldness. He is frustrated he can't make me happy and I'm frustrated he would leave me alone in this battle. No one has really stood up for me in all this and I thought I could rely on him. I forgive him for not doing it every time, but each day I feel betrayed as he does nothing, while watching me crumble. Every time I see my ex I remember the abuse and it hurts for me and my new relationship. Something needs to change, because right now I'm unhappy even though I have everything I have ever wanted. Should I end a great relationship because of one thing that bothers me?

Daisy's Answer: 

Thanks for your question. It has several sections and has a lot I can cover, so my answer will be in many parts as well. 

First off it sound like you may not be sure if your relationship with your ex was abusive or not. Please check out the  Love Is Respect website. It has lots of useful tools to help you determine if your relationship is abusive, and tips on what to do about it. 


I am really proud of you for seeking therapeutic help for your depression and anxiety. Therapy can help almost everyone. You were able to admit to yourself there was a problem and seek help to solve it, that shows you have strong character. 


Remember that an apology loses it's value if you expect something in return or say something like..."I'm sorry for what I did BUT..." Adding that but at the end makes the apology worthless. You can't go back and change what you've already done but you can continue to give you apology without any expectations. 


I am very happy that you met someone who will treat you well. Every woman needs to be loved by someone who respects them. However, you are holding on to a grudge from a previous relationship that is tainting your current relationship. Whatever your ex did, is not the fault of your current boyfriend. His wish to not get involved is his way of saying he doesn't want to be a part of something like that. He doesn't want to hurt you or anyone else, that is a good thing. Do not ask your current boyfriend to be a go between for you and someone you used to date. That puts him in a very awkward situation. Do you think you would want to talk to someone he says he loved before you?


You need to except that what is in the past is in the past and let it go. Do not break up with this guy if the only reason is he won't talk to your ex for you.  The mature thing to do is either let it go or confront the problem yourself. I know that you have the courage and strength to do either one. 


Please continue your search for happiness and keep me updated on how things are going in your personal journey. 


Daisy <3

Question from A Reader

I got my first question from a reader today!!! I am so excited to have to opportunity to maybe offer a little help to this person. She has given me permission to post her question and my answer. I will be doing that within the next 5 hours. YAY!


Let's keep the questions coming, email me yours! :)

Tidbit #10: Smile

Once I was on a train headed into the city an elderly woman noticed me and asked if I was having a hard day. She said I looked a little grumpy. I told her I was sleepy, which was true. She said if I just put on a smile the world would seem a lot brighter. She passed the smile to me and I passed it on to many other people as I walked around the city that day. 

I was reading an article in National Geographic the other day that talked about people smiling. It said that the average adult only smiles 5 times a day. Infants on the other hand smile more that 400 times a day. When did that happen. Our bodies need us to smile so that we produce let stress-inducing hormones, and more endorphins.

You don't have to talk to smile, you just change your face. It helps you and it helps others. win/win
Smiles are contagious. Use them. Making one person smile can change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  Start small.  Start now.

Finding Your Happy Place: Part 4

Feel Your Feelings

This may be the hardest step in the process of finding happiness for many people. But it is very important.
Feelings can help lead you to the decisions that will lead to your happiness, ignoring them can lead you down a path that will make you stagnate. Open up your feelings and let them flow. You do not have to wear them on your sleeve, but in private let them out fully.