happy living

I have been working on this blog post for the last few days, so please hang in there with me as it is longer then the rest. As I transition into a new and exciting part of my life, starting occupational therapy school, I have had this past week off work before beginning the program..my little "stay-cation" as I call it, to focus my energy and goals into preparing myself for going back to school and working hard towards my dream of becoming an OT! I am very excited to start the program and make some new friends who share similar goals as me.

So, this past week I have been spending some time revisiting what occupational therapy is all about. A lot of people have no idea what an occupational therapist is or does, so you might just learn something new here. Essentially, occupational therapy assists people in living their lives to the fullest through health education, promotion and prevention. "Occupational therapy is a unique, creative rehabilitation profession that focuses on helping people of all ages to improve their quality of life in terms of independence, productivity, and/or overall well-being, in spite of whatever physical, mental, situational, or emotional challenges they face." (J. McCabe) Many of the patients I will work with will be dealing with some sort of illness, injury or disability. I will work closely with my patients to design strategies and set and achieve goals that will help them with everyday living activities and occupations, as well as, finding ways to adapt and live fulfilling lives with their illness, injury or disability. We will also work on rebuilding independence, and engaging in meaningful activities that will help them in living healthy, happy balanced lives. I look forward to really investing myself and getting to know my patients and the individuals I work with and discover what types of activities make them happy and inspire them to live life to it's fullest! 

Thus, with all that said, I have decided that a good starting point, to help better understand others I work with and really tap in and connect with them, would be for me to ask myself what makes me the happiest? What inspires me to live life to it's fullest? What kinds of activities do I enjoy engaging in the most that help me live a healthy, happy balanced life?

I decided to create a happiness and inspiration photo collage! (I also included a few quotes..since we all know I love quotes ha!) Check out what makes me happy and inspires me to live life to its fullest. Then go ahead, and start on your own inspiration/happiness project..it's easy and fun, weather it's a blog or a picture frame or shoe box of your favorite things. It's a great reminder for me to never take any moment for granted and live every day like it's your last! Immerse yourself in life! Take action and do what makes you happy! ~Heidi

my sister, Allegra, inspires me to be strong and confident. Most importantly she reminds me to laugh and not take life so seriously. I love spending time with her, whether we are traveling together, hanging out in my room watching Office re-runs, or talking over Skype. 

My mom and dad inspire me to live life to it's fullest! My mom inspires me to stay true to myself and follow my heart, set goals and take chances, and live every moment with grace, love and gratitude. My dad inspires me to work hard and stay dedicated to my goals, while also enjoying the silliness of life. I am incredibly blessed with wonderfully, down to earth, loving and supportive parents..I couldn't feel any more grateful!!

My friends not only make me so incredibly happy and cheerful, but I admire each and every one of them in unique ways and they inspire me everyday towards becoming a better and happier person. Not only are they all inspirational, but they are smart, beautiful, compassionate and fun! I am incredibly blessed to have crossed paths with each of these individuals and have such amazing friends in my life! Love you all! :)

Going to the movies!! One of my favorite hobbies is going to the show and I'm not gonna lie, I love movie theater popcorn too! I love everything from artsy to comedy to action to children's pixar! 

Speaking of movies...one of my favorites I saw this year was Christopher Nolan's, Inception (loved this scene!)

Summertime! I love grilling out with friends (although I do most of the watching, talking, eating and drinking ha). I love going to the pool as well as sunbathing with my girls, and just hanging out having a few drinks outside and listening to some tunes are the best summer nights!

Baseball games! Love cheering on my KC Royals while enjoying a good beer and a hotdog (or as of lately, some chicken fingers and fries ha!)

Cheering on KC Sporting soccer team! Love the energy at this place! So much excitement and enthusiasm..these games should not to miss!

Being silly/goofy with my friends! Ha I just LOVE being a big dork and photobooths are perfect for that! (esp with silly props) My friends inspire me to live in the moment, enjoy life, learn to laugh at yourself and not take life too seriously!

Long morning bike rides! (no, this is not me..but I like the pic) I just love the feeling of wind across my face and flying down hills..biking gives me such a great rush and motivates me to work harder in all areas of my life!

Wearing hoodies in the Fall! Autumn is my favorite time of year! It was when I was born (October), and I absolutely can't get enough of the beautiful changing colors of leaves and crisp breeze! It's football season, hoodie weather and pumpkin carving time..what's not to LOVE about Fall?!

Mindful morning yoga! (almost) every morning I awake to a 25 minute yoga session. I love how yoga naturally brings peace, calm and happiness to my life. Slow stretches, controlled breathing and deep meditation reminds me to be present in the moment and let all my worries, doubts or negative thoughts float away like clouds. Yoga starts my day off well and reminds me to breath when things get tough! 

Pilates! I have become completely hooked on pilates thanks to my good friend, Jenny, who is a professional ballerina and during her off season works with me at the nursery, Punkin Patch, and teaches some of us pilates classes during our work break! Since I did ballet and dance for about 16 years growing up, it is really similar in a lot of ways..strengthening core muscle groups and working on flexibility. I also really enjoy the social interaction and support I got while taking classes with my friends at work!!

Jogging outside! I enjoy running, mostly outside, rather then the treadmill. This photo was taken the semester I lived in Australia where I would wake up every morning and run along the beach. I absolutely loved living on the ocean, especially since it motivated me to run and bike along the water!

Most of you probably know by now that one of my biggest passions in life is traveling to new places and exploring new cultures! I am absolutely thrilled when I get to travel somewhere new or even visit a place I haven't been to in a while. I love planning and organizing fun activities for trips, as well as sometimes acting the 'tour guide' (I get a little overboard sometimes and want to do tooo much ha as some of you know.) The main things that inspire me and that I have learned from traveling are: It will always take some problem solving- I love the challenge of finding where you want to go and what you want to do; also I've learned that great things can happen when you are flexible; one of my favorite experiences in traveling is when you experience that 'moment of awe'- that moment when you realize you are part of something much bigger than you; and learning that not just your trip but your whole life is one crazy adventure even after returning from a trip can make you realize you can create beautiful moments in your everyday life!

Photography!! It's pretty obvious, but I love capturing life and documenting my life through photographs! Like how I was talking above during traveling I really try to capture that 'moment of awe'-that moment where you realize you are part of something much bigger then you! I like to capture expression, nature, emotion and quality of life! This world is SO incredibly amazing and has so much to offer- haha you know I LOVE it! I've been completely obsessed with filters and the instagram app on my iphone lately..in case ya didn't notice ;)

Nature! Maybe it's because my mom loves everything nature from flowers to birds to trees and I grew up learning all about it from her classification books, or maybe it's because I studied biology in undergrad, or maybe because I grew up playing outside every chance I got, or maybe because I fell in love with the writing and ideas of Thoreau and Emerson while reading their theories in high school..who knows?! But I absolutely love the outdoors; there is so much beauty and inspiration nature can offer if you open your eyes to it and really appreciate every part (even the humongous dragon fly that attempted to attack me in the face this morning haha)

The ocean and the beach! Every thing about the ocean makes me smile, from sea turtles to the crash of the waves hitting the shore (which is the sound I use for my deep breathing technique in yoga, by the way) to the feeling of my toes in the sand. I love laying and walking along the beach admiring the crash of the waves and the point where the sky meets the ocean. My dream is to live by the ocean some day! (or maybe retire there, might be a more realistic goal.)

Flowers, of course! The beauty and perfume of flowers make me so happy! Orchids are my personal favorite! :) What is so inspiring about flowers is getting to watch them bloom and grow and it reminds me that each day I have a chance to bloom and grow to my full potential. every moment that you've got, you have a chance at a fresh new start to grow and learn. That is what's so great about life!

Ice Cream!! haha the pup just looks so happy, reminds me of myself when I enjoy an ice cream cone! What's better then ice cream?! seriously.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk Go KU!! Cheering on my hawks in football and bball season make me so happy!

My morning coffee also makes me very happy, and wakes me up on the days I can't fit in yoga. my fav is skinny caramel macchioto. (but you'll know when I haven't had my coffee..i kind of run into things ha.)

Live music and concerts make me happy! This past year I have had the wonderful opportunity to go to some fun concerts..a few of my favs being the one from the pic above (Kings of Leon in Boston), Girl talk in KC Crossroads, and Mumford and Sons at the city market in KC! I'm a lucky girl!

Cheering and hangin in the members club at KC Sporting games!

French fries!! If you know me, then you know that french fries (or sonic tots) make me happy :) Ha I even dream about fries sometimes lol (probably something I wouldn't encourage for my patients', but we all got to enjoy ourselves in moderation.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music makes me happy, as well as inspiring me! I love everything from techno to country to pop and alternative to folk and indie (I love it allll..and even some of my own karaoke every once in a while ha!) Currently, I can't stop listening to Mumford & Sons, I love their sound, lyrics and energy..so inspirational!! This one's my fav! :)

Speaking of music, I also love dance!! I absolutely love this video of Shakira! She really knows how to shake those hips! I love the inspiration this video portrays as well, bringing together a diversity of people of different cultures from around the world who share a the same passions..music and dance..ha, i bet you thought I was going to say soccer!  (Don't worry, Beyonce's Single Ladies video came in close second.)

Babies!! Awww, this makes me miss the nursery. Most of you know another one of my greatest passions in life is helping, teaching and taking care of children and babies! I was blessed with the incredible opportunity to spend the last two and a half years working in an infant-toddler development center and preschool, Punkin Patch. This meaningful and inspiring experience has helped me on my way towards becoming a successful occupational therapist, a loving and patient caregiver, and an educated and prepared mother someday. 

Giving gifts! I love when you come across the perfect gift for someone..it's so invigorating! I enjoy finding a great reason to give a gift or two, and my favorite is making homemade gifts! (you can probably guess what mine always seem to include...PHOTOS, duh!) Writing and sending cards and postcards also makes me happy too! 

  

Strong and inspiring women! There are many incredible women in our society that have inspired me throughout my life, from Jackie Kennedy to Princess Diana to Mother Teresa to Oprah to Sacajawea and Amelia Earhart (ha, bet you didn't think I was gonna say her..but I did my 5th grade report on Amelia Earhart; she's amazing!) Who has inspired you?

 

Reading! haha..I have to throw in some humor, every once in a while! No, I don't usually read the newspaper on the toilet, although I do like to stay updated on my news (usually by following Anderson Cooper and CNN on twitter..ha, i'm so techy these days..right?!) But, I do love to read books! A few of my latest favs are: Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games ; Gretchen Ruben's The Happiness Project; Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love

photo via Pinterest and Everything Turquoise

Design, color and light inspire me and make me happy! If I am feeling stressed or anxious I like to engage in a non-tedious task like surfing the web, and I have found that coming across and looking at colorful, inspiring interior design seems to calm my nerves! I found this colorfully, playful kitchen photo at Pinterest (the link is in the photo caption above)! I love the pastel colors and the large window bringing in light. I love love love windows and sunlight shining in; I will definitely have lots of windows in my home some day!

photo and artwork via Etsy

I admire and enjoy arts and crafts! Etsy is one of my favorite sites I visit often. I liked this mixed-media piece of art I posted above. I also find famous works of art extremely inspiring as well, from Michelangelo's sculpture of The David in Florence, Italy (it's humongous and amazing beyond words..genius work of art!) And Monet's breathtaking water lilly panels in Paris, France are pretty inspirational as well! One of my personal favorites (that hits home, literally..there is a cast sculpture outside the Nelson-Atkins art museum, here in KC- the original is in Paris) is Auguste Rodin's The Thinker. I love this sculpture so much because it does a wonderful job of expressing a man deep in thought and really shows the human's (man's) form as he ponders. While the sculpture is profound and complex, the idea is simple..it expresses something we, as humans, all have in common. We think; we constantly think throughout our lives and that is what makes us so great! Sometimes we have to remember, hey, we have a brain and mindfulness and awareness is key to living a happy and meaningful life! (at least that's what it is telling and how it's inspiring me) i have posted The Thinker below...

 

 

Something a little less profound, board games! Board games have made me so happy from the very beginning, when I first learned to play Candy Land to going through the whole Monopoly stage (not sure if I'm quite over that yet ha) and oh of course, one of my all-time favs, Clue (loved the challenge in that one)! Throughout college, one of our fav group board games was Apples to Apples! If you haven't played it, it's a must! Seriously though I'm not a complete nerd, how fun are board games?!

 

Cozy blankies, or as I call them, lovies! If you know me, then you know that this simple thing really makes me happy! We are never too old for blankets! Seriously, though it is only natural for me to want to be all swaddled up in a cozy blanket (and there is pretty much a 100% chance I will pass out shortly after..ha)! Soooo, maybe I am a big baby, I really don't care what you say because it makes me happy :)

 

Last, but not least, we come full circle.. one of my most favorite and happiest moments is the simple joy of laughing! Every day should bring a new happy and funny experience that you can laugh at or about, some days you just might have to look a little harder! Remember to laugh!(hey, and if all else fails..just watch one of these hilarious vids of Jimmy Fallon. He's my fav)! http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/categories/comedy-bits/1255235/

I also really enjoy uplifting and inspiring quotes! I won't bog you down with a million though..you have probably stopped reading by now anyways, but just in case you haven't (which cheers to you!!) Here are two quotes that I really try to remember to live by each day...

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Washington Thurman

"Happiness is being fully awake and present. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every moment with love, grace and gratitude." - Denis Waitley

And remember, you don't have to strive for or chase after extraordinary moments or events to discover happiness, it is right here in front of you if you allow yourself to be fully awake, paying attention and practicing gratitude! Smile because you are alive today and have wonderful opportunities to better yourself and others!! xo, Heidi