Happy

So I recently watched a documentary (yes, I watch documentaries) called Happy. After watching the entire thing, and feeling perplexed, I couldn't stop thinking about it, even days later. I think that the appealing thing about this documentary was that the pursuit of happiness could be backed by science. The part that stuck out the most was that apparently human happiness is based on multiple aspects, not just things like money, success, physical or material things... It's actually split between three different determinants. 50% of what determines someone's happiness is something called a "set point". The movie compares this to genetics, or what your happiness set point was when you were born. My own theory is that the set point is related to someone's time of year they were born, or zodiac sign, which is why a certain zodiac sign can tell so much about any given person. 40% is intentional activity. These are things like actions you decide to make that make you happy. Such as a certain route you take on a run, or the kind of music you listen to, or what kind of things you do for fun such as hobbies. The amazingly shocking part that I loved finding out was that only 10% of our happiness is caused by circumstances. By this, they mean material things. Where you live, what kind of neighborhood you live in, what kind of car you drive, what kind of house you live in, things like that. So you're telling me that a huge part of being happy is something I can control? Well, haven't I been talking about this for the majority of my life now?!
If you don't believe me, go watch the documentary on your own. I watched it on Netflix, and it's only an hour so it won't take up too much time. It really is an enlightening documentary. It took us on a journey all over the world to help show us that being happy isn't about what's around us, it's about what's inside of us. If we choose to be rotten about our past, and pitiful about circumstances, well then expect an unhappy life.
Another thing that amazes me is the simplicity of the examples they used to exemplify happiness. The scientists described that even a small change of scenery, such as a different route taken during a morning run, can actually boost your happiness. They also talk about how true shocking things or sorrows don't last for a long time. After it passes, we return to our "set point", so if your "set point" is low, that's unfortunate, but that's not all that happiness is. Even through sorrow, our happiness is still our own choice. This shocking information seemed so obvious after I sat and thought about it for a bit. DUH! Seemed to be all I could think after I truly soaked in all of the valuable information. Everything leads back to mindset, and if we have a negative mindset, expect negative consequences, and that happens to be unhappiness.
Well, I hope that after reading this many people will begin to consider the importance of being positive. Just learn to let loose, and let it all go. Things happen, tragedies occur, and everyone goes through their own story. But the funny part? That's exactly what life is. A story. And you know what's even more funny? We can all write our own story, and that's exactly what I plan on doing.

Have a wonderful night everyone, and I hope you all go to bed with a smile on your face knowing you got through another day.
-Happy Gabby

Soul food right here

Why, hello there! Tonight, my mood soars like that of a butterfly! And how can I confirm this? Well, I just compared myself to a butterfly, and did not gag due to the tackiness. This, my friends, is a sign that I am not only happy with my life, but I am incredibly balanced.
Oh, I know what you're thinking... "You're seriously going to write about the importance of a balanced life again?!" Woah! Calm yourselves. Tonight, I'm actually going to write about... Drumroll please...
The soul!
Oh my, I could go on forever about what our soul is, but honestly, everyone has their own view of what exactly it is. Stephenie Meyer, who wrote The Host viewed it as a silver slime looking thing that was removed from the neck and could be transferred into different host bodies. Although I totally love that book, I disagree. I don't think of it as a phyical being. I compare the soul to the wind. It's obviously there because you can feel it, but it's not something that you can see or grasp. It's almost like a concept. But, my view also runs parallel to Stephenie Meyer's when her view of the soul is what happens after it is transferred to a different host body. That soul, or who that person truly is simply placed into a new body. They can then control that body, and do with it as it pleases. Almost like reincarnation. Except in her novel, it's not a natural process like reincarnation is known to be. It's humans and doctors phsically moving that physical entity into a host body.
Okay, I'm getting carried away. Before I tell you everything that happens in that book, I would love to get back on track. So basically what I was trying to get across is that the soul can not be identified. It can't be confirmed, grasped, or handled. Well, in my opinion. Because of this, it drives humans crazy because we can't control it! The soul is where our feelings and emotions originate from. But, we can't control those! And doesn't that drive you crazy?! I know it drives me insane when I want to be one way, but I'm not feeling like that at all. So I'm ending my exhausting explanation by saying, feed the soul.
If you can't control it, let it control you. If it asks for more coffee because it craves it, than do it. If it gives your heart a squeeze because you need more love in your life, go get a dog or something. If it yearns for a little music, listen to what makes it happy. Oh, and learn to worship it, because when your soul has been fed to the brink, and it's content with all you've given it, you will finally feel happy. The soul is the most important part of you. Don't abuse it. Love it.

Just a list about life

So I was trying to think of something really inspiring to write about, but I came up blank. I mean, I always have something to say so why today, can't I come up with anything to really ponder about? I still can't answer that, but I think it may be because I am absolutely EXHAUSTED, so I'm just going to make a list, because I like lists. :)

What I love most about life-
-Laughing. Laughing is by far, the best thing in this world. It is contagious, it makes everyone happy, and it's the most happy anyone can get.
-Driving. For me, driving is therapeutic. It makes me feel like I can do anything which may explain why I tend to be so much more of a... risk taker...
-Dreaming. Waking up from a dream and laying in bed and pondering is unlike anything else. But, the thing I love most about dreams is that we are really ourselves. We can't hide from our subconscious, and that's what is really amazing.
-Being in Downtown Portland. No matter if it's raining, sunny, or icy, it's all still satisfactory. It's lively, unique and truly like no other city.
-Learning something new. When I learn something new (even if it's an algebra equation) I feel empowered. Having the ability to do something new makes me feel like my life is truly worthy.

Now, you're probably wondering why I haven't included something like "my family". I'm getting there. Trust me! (This may be a long list, so if you're bored you might as well stop now!)

-Going to the beach. I feel like this is on everyone's list. For some reason, it's like traveling to another world. If you're by yourself or with a group of family or friends, it always feel like time flies by with no responsibilities. I love feeling careless for a while.
-Traveling. Although I haven't traveled to many places, it still feels like it's a huge part of my life. I've shaped my whole future around traveling and experiencing whole new cultures and societies. It's an interesting thing to think about how different life can be in other countries.
-Playing with dogs. Dogs are the most loving creatures on this earth. Simple as that.
-Cooking/baking with my family. Although it doesn't happen often, whenever I think about what I love most about my family a scene of me and my cousin Elly chopping vegetables and frosting cakes comes up.
-Shopping with my mom. It's a truly bonding experience. Her and I have the same style, so when we bond over heels, bags, and cute shirts it feels like we're closer than ever.
-Reading. This should have been first on the list. Reading is my thing. On my first birthday, as a Romanian tradition, we have various objects set out in front of us such as a hair brush, money, car keys, a book, jewelry, etc. to determine what kind of things we'll love most. Well, I happened to actually grab the car keys and the book, and I would not let go. Oddly enough, I haven't changed one bit since my first birthday, and I saw the video of me doing this just few months back.
-Holidays. Everyone's together. What can get any better than that?
-Eating. What can I say? I love food!
-Writing lists. Not sure why, but it makes me feel organized.

Well that concludes that list after a half an hour of writing it. But, this list isn't over. Things are added almost every day. I hope I've inspired you all to write your own lists and really appreciate the good things in life!

What is success?

I'm going to make this one simple and short.
Being happy is THE most important thing in life. Not being rich, not living in paradise, not dying old, not being pretty. Just being happy. You can live in a giant house on the beach in Maui with a chef and personal hair dresser, but if you lay awake at night feeling miserable, it's time for a change. Doesn't matter how rich you are. If you're unhappy, you've got to find a different reason to live! I know I'm not rich, and "successful" to some people's definitions, but I'm successful in my own definition. If I'm happy, and surrounded by friends and family, than I am more successful than the president.
Goodnight everyone.