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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The Happiest Place on Earth



Be happy. It's one way of being wise.  -Sidonie Gabrielle

They say that misery loves company, but let me just say for the record that happiness throws a damn good party. Joy is magnetic, and it draws you to all sorts of good stuff, the least of which being a whole slew of folks who like a good time, a good laugh, and a good friend. Happiness makes everybody beautiful. The people I find most inspirational are the souls who devote themselves to happiness, who choose it as a state of mind, a way of life. Happiness is food for the soul, a delicious popsicle of goodness meant to be savored, devoured. So enjoy. 

That said, let me also state for the record that the pursuit of happiness is over-rated. What I mean to say is that while I aim my canoe towards the shores of felicity, I think there's more to life than the just its high points; there is SO much more to the human experience than a Pollyannaesque turn-that-frown-upside and Dances-With-Unicorns mindset. And I seriously don't trust a person who only smiles. 

Life is not just about the good stuffs- life is about living, and living in its entirety means enduring some tough moments ill-suited to smiling: like losing your job, breaking up with your boyfriend/girlfriend, getting in an accident, watching a friend suffer, losing a loved one to cancer, etc, etc.  There is more to life than just seeking out the good times- it is being there during ALL of your times, both the pleasant and the painful.

Lately my life has taken a turn for the better. Fortune has been smiling down on me, and while I embrace this upward spin of the wheel, I'm aware that my reason d'etre does NOT lie at the mercy or the whims of ol' Lady Luck.  So while grateful for these turn of events, I know that my well-being lies well beyond them. True joy lies inside of me like the sun inside a rosebush, and no matter what adventures befall me, what experiences ensue, my life is MY life, a perfect bloom of existence, whether or not caught up in the crush of happiness.

Be the center of the universe. Bloom madly! 

(Photo: "Disney Grrl, Self-Portrait. Photo Credit: Bella Q, the Citizen Rosebud)


37 comments:

  1. MartaJuly 6, 2011 at 3:47 AM

    you made me smile :o)

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  2. UnknownJuly 6, 2011 at 4:03 AM

    Bella, sooooooo well put! I have a life's philosophy that you get what you expect. If you expect to be happy....most likely you will be. If you expect your day to go poorly; most likely it will. But I also agree with you on the whole "pursuit of happiness". We live in a country that is so prosperous that we even have TIME to ponder, "Am I happy?" or "I want to feel more fulfilled." Most of the world doesn't have that luxury, they're too busy just trying to survive.

    Thrilled for you for your upturn! And even if you get crap tomorrow, the wheels keep turning and your next upturn is just a spoke away! Big hug to you my positive friend! ~Serene

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  3. mispapelicosJuly 6, 2011 at 4:34 AM

    Wonderful Bella.
    True joy lies inside of me like the sun inside a rosebush, and no matter what adventures befall me, what experiences ensue, my life is MY life, a perfect bloom of existence, whether or not caught up in the crush of happiness.
    Love you!!!
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  4. ShybikerJuly 6, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    Wise words. I hope your young readers will heed them.

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  5. Pam @ over50feeling40July 6, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    You are so cute! I love the happiness is a popsicle line! For me, happiness is something that comes and goes...circumstances can affect it..there are days the popsicle melts and I am not a HAPPY camper. But, joy on the other hand...is deeper...is eternal..it never goes away. I choose it daily...it tells me that I am special, loved, created for a purpose, and am part of a plan. I choose joy because it is the rock on which I stand. Since I know that, I have far more happy days than sad ones. More days licking the popsicle because I know when it occasionally melts, there is a store full of popsicles just around the corner!!

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  6. Señora AllnutJuly 6, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    it's always great to read your words and it's so funny to watch your polka dot dress and your great attitude!!
    Really love to read that "the pursuit of happiness is over-rated", because it's true!!! nobody can be happy forever (it would be insanity!!). I'm going for serenity when things are not so lucky, and enjoying wildly good moments!

    Thank you for that Pollyannaesque adjective, it makes me laugh so much!
    besos & fun

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  7. A Thrifty MrsJuly 6, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    Great post and you know what you've made me smile today.

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  8. UnknownJuly 6, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    First off, you look adorable. Secondly,"Be the center of the universe. Bloom madly!" - brilliant.

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  9. M.JJuly 6, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    I'll first say that seeing you in those adorable Mickey Mouse Ears just makes me want to pull out mine! LOL :) You look absolutely adorable and it set the tone for this awesome post. Life is full of it's up and downs but in the end we can't let those downs kill our spirit! It's that inner joy that makes us stronger! :)

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  10. AdrienneJuly 6, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Wise words, and I agree :) Love your polka dots

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  11. UnknownJuly 6, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    This is such a lovely post Bella! Though bad things happen in life, I realize that each day I can wake up and decide my happiness. I refuse to let circumstances dictate my joy!

    You are cute as pie Bella dear; you are Disney ready!!

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  12. AnonymousJuly 6, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    So your picture is amazing. I LOVE IT!! It is full of joy.

    But really your message on happiness is so right. Negative thinking kind of repels me in a real way. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows as you said, it's about living and loving living. There is soooo much joy in living and we all need to see the happiness there is in our lives.

    Thank you for this joyful post, Bella. I heart you like for real.

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  13. Robyn LeeJuly 6, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    "Bloom madly!"

    Perfectly stated!! I love this... thanks for the reminder :-)

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  14. RebeccaJuly 6, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    This post made me smile. You definitely look like you're having fun.

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  15. AnonymousJuly 6, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    Another fantastic post, Bella! Congrats on all of your new endeavors. Happiness is definitely in the whole of life, it's ups and downs. While my father's passing was the possibly the most soul-crushing of events in my life, I have had the fortune to find the love of my life and we now have a beautiful son. If I had stayed crushed, I would never have moved on. But I know with the happiness, comes sadness. Tis the stuff of life and we all have to live it.

    xoxo
    Cyrillynn

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  16. Sara KristiinaJuly 6, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Ah, beautiful post :) I have been quite miserable sight past couple days, haven't really had any happy things in my mind. This made me really think! Thank you!

    Ps: Bella the Mouse <3

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  17. UnknownJuly 6, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    Awww, you are such a great poet my friend! Such a great inspiring post. Thank-you

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  18. UnknownJuly 6, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    How perfect and well said.
    You are a great writer , who can speak from a place that all of us are, but cannot find the words.......

    You always live in perspective beauty and I love you for that!

    Thanks!
    xXx
    Reva

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  19. FASHION TALESJuly 6, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Dear Bella,
    I love leaving your blog, coming back and BOOM! ... a post that I need/love, which is so inspiring my dear. I agree with all the above. To me, life is not about only sunny moments - sometimes it rains, and storms, but in the midst if we seek hard enough happiness can be found daily. Everyday that I wake-up every breath that I take I am always so thankful. Most certainly more now then when I was younger, because of the change in the weather of my life (and experiences). But, through it all still remain content. :)

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  20. RosalindJuly 7, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    The photo made me smile and then your words set me nod, nod, nodding with agreement. Beautifully expressed; a treat to read. 'Bloom madly' - oh yes!

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  21. paulawannacrackerJuly 7, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Well said Bella. Just what I needed to hear. You "put into words" just what I had been thinking and reminding myself as I navigate the downs.

    Good post...

    (signed your mama Raquelita's cousin)...

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  22. The Closet ShopperJuly 7, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    Words to live by. This blog post is thought provoking and right on with my experiences in life lessons as well. If it wasn't for some extremely hard times, I wouldn't be the person I am today. So, I'll take life on life's terms. And c'est la vie.

    xoxo,
    Tracy

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  23. WendyBJuly 7, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    So glad things are going well for you!

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  24. FashnlvrJuly 7, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    I aim my canoe towards the shores of felicity > what a great thing to say! I may quote you! In the meantime, I love your polka dotted dress! BTW - may I ride in your canoe? I need companions like you!! Glad things are going well for you!

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  25. The Style CroneJuly 7, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Yes, embrace it all!

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  26. Stephanie LoudmouthJuly 7, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    I love this. We need to be present during all walks of life in order to learn and grow!

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  27. AnonymousJuly 8, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    Beautifully said. Inner peace in all of life's circumstances is the goal.

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  28. Pull Your Socks Up!July 8, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    Thank you lovely Bella. This post comes with excellent timing - I needed to see that fabulous pic of you - bloody hell you're gorgeous - and read your thoughtful message. You amaze me every time I visit you:). Thank you. xoxoxo

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  29. Heather FonsecaJuly 10, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    You are a wise woman Bella.

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  30. AnonymousJuly 11, 2011 at 3:22 AM

    The picture is awesome! That dress suits you very well and yes, it speaks "Happy".
    Indeed life is not full of happy moments, and the sad and hard ones have a value for us also. They are meant to make us stronger!

    By the way, I've given you the One Lovely Blog Award. Details here: http://designedbyann.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/one-lovely-blog-award/
    Anna

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  31. Anika http://www.byanika.comJuly 14, 2011 at 4:11 AM

    My friend, it is you and me and the Dalai Lama, I am telling you. I feel you, as you know. You are amazing, such a true wise soul, such a brave heart. Thank you for this post, you had me moved and nodding in reckognition. I am so happy that you are on a flow at the moment, and I am even happier that you can separate the gives and takes from your inner sense of happiness and contentment. I am rereading The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama, and all I can say is, he would love our blogs. Love you honey. xx

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  32. Nora-transient*treasuresJuly 18, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Best...........Post.....EVER!!!! Thank You for the reality check. (and, I think this is my all-time favorite outfit pic!!!)

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  33. UnknownApril 24, 2013 at 3:33 AM

    Absolutely love this :)

    Hollie xo
    http://polkadot-lemondrop.blogspot.co.uk/

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  34. The Style CroneApril 24, 2013 at 4:45 AM

    Well spoken dear Bella. I am so happy for your current state of joy as we all dance in this fabulous community along the continuum of life that includes all possible human emotions and experiences. Great outfit too!

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  35. Crystal Hammon, ABC, MLSApril 24, 2013 at 6:42 AM

    So well said. It reminds me of a saying I like so much I scrolled it across my mirror last week: "Happiness depends on what happens. Joy does not."

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  36. Crystal Hammon, ABC, MLSApril 24, 2013 at 6:43 AM

    Well said, Bella. It reminds me of a saying I liked so much I scrolled it across my mirror last week: "Happiness depends on what happens. Joy does not."

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  37. Lynn HastyApril 24, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    Oh, Dear Bella, I love what you said! And it is so true!! I am very thrilled over your happiness of late, however, and I hope you continue to be showered with joy! As for a trade on the Alice pin, I'd be more than happy to send you one!! Trading would be grand! I will e-mail you. Okay?

    xoxo
    Lynn

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You are rad. Thanks for your comment!