Ah, To Think...

This is not me, of course, but doesn't this look like the comfiest
sleeping arrangement in the world?

I think the most in the morning when I first wake up, and at night before I fall asleep. Doing the latter of the two generally means my thoughts are never completed and I end up with some ridiculous dream because, really, I fall asleep quite quickly when my head hits the pillow.

Often, this means a whirlwind of thoughts in very strange combinations...so I thought I'd share exactly what is running through my mind at this very second:

"I really, desperately need a haircut, and I'm not sure how I was planning on making it all the way to next week. In fact, I'm half tempted to shave my head bald and be done with it. This brushing and blow-drying my hair everyday takes a lot of time and generally ends with a shrug and a hope it stays in place. Place. Crap. I need to look up directions to that interview on Monday. Which reminds me, I really, really can't risk having the same experience as the one in Detroit, so I should probably scope it out the day before, except it's two hours away. Hmm, maybe I could find a friend who lives there and crash with them the night before. Yes. Good. I have a plan for tomorrow... and HOLY S*#$! WHAT IS THAT?? TELL ME THAT IS NOT A MINI SPIDER ON THE WALL. No way I can sleep here now. No, thank you. I'm relocating. In fact, maybe I just need to move into a new house. A spider-free house...Yes. That will be my new plan for tomorrow, find a new home."

Sigh.

It's exhausting.

Here's to hoping my dreams aren't filled with spiders, because I can NOT deal with that. I would probably wake up in tears. Very big, very crocodile-like tears.

And now, to sleep, or perchance, to dream.

Just not of my 8-legged foes.

iThank You, Steve

Yesterday, the world lost a great innovator, businessman, and leader. Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, passed away after several years of health problems (it's always the best people that seem to get sick, isn't it?). There is no shortage of news reports on this topic today, so my post will be brief.

Now, I've never owned a Mac, but I generally wish I did at least a few days a week. I have enjoyed close to a year with my iPhone, and after years of owning the world's lamest phones, I'm not sure how I survived without it. It has gotten me out of many situations in which I was hopelessly lost, helped me prove a point by looking up a quick fact online, keeps me constantly informed of the latest news headlines, ESPN updates, and even helps me waste time when I'm sitting in the waiting room at the dentist's office....all while looking sleek and cool. That's a feat certainly no human can achieve.

During his life as a business man, Steve helped build what seems to be a recession-proof company that consistently produces quality products and incredible customer service. He was a visionary, and a great one at that.

A while ago, I watched the commencement speech he gave at Stanford University in 2005, and today, I watched it again.  His words, albeit a little haunting today, were light, yet thought-provoking, and just so happen to fit perfectly with my new-found quest for attaining true happiness. Take a look below:

"Remembering you are going to die, is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose." -Steve Jobs

Follow what you love, dream big, and never, never stop believing you can achieve your wildest dreams. After all, in the end, what do you have to lose? I won't settle, will you? 

Finding The Meaning Of Happiness

I caught up with a friend of mine, Kevin, yesterday, and we began talking about my last post and the idea of what makes people happy.

Here are Kevin & I just before leaving for
South Dakota a few years ago

Generally, our conversations either begin or end with a discussion about life and what makes people tick. Kevin is one of those people who is constantly dreaming big. Whether that be dreaming of a better world for everyone in it or of a new fantastic plan he has come up with for himself. Honestly, I wish I could dream like that, but I often find my creativity comes up a little short of thinking of a new business idea every day.

When talking with him yesterday, we got on the topic of good ol' Bhutan and how the idea of finding happiness, or defining it in some way, could be a blog in and of itself.

So here's what I'm wondering: what brings you happiness? I mean pure, unadulterated happiness. The kind of joy that comes from seeing your mom's open arms at long last after a week at summer camp as a kid, or perhaps being able to sit down with the one you love at the end of a long day and share a smile.

Here's where I'll interject with a small brag about my awesome boyfriend. I'm perfectly happy curling up on the couch with a movie and a bowl of popcorn, and I'm so glad he enjoys the same. I love the comfort that comes with being able to get dressed up and go out, but also being able to show up on his doorstep in sweats and disheveled hair after a long day.  It's good to know I can just be unapologetically...me.

So there's one example about what makes me happy, what about you?

Seriously, I'm really interested to see what you have to say, so please share!