Finding Meaning and Happiness Part I

My friend Lindsey has turned me on to this really great blog that has really got me thinking. It's called Marc and Angel Hack Life - Practical Tips for Productive Living (Link to Blog). I have been reading it and it today and it really has had me thinking about a lot of different things.

One of the blogs from earlier this months is called, "95 Questions to Help You Find Meaning and Happiness". I started reading it and then I looked at the clock and thought, "Wow, it's getting late - I should probably log onto my work computer and get some things done." Um.....

Yeah... maybe I need to start searching for some new meaning and happiness... :)

So I decided to answer some of the questions... which is really just me putting off the inevitable because I know that at some point tonight that laptop needs to be turned on.

1. In one sentence, who are you?
I am a happily married woman with an amazing husband, awesome pup, great family and friends and a wonderfully blessed life even though I think I maybe work a little too much.

2. Why do you matter?
That's a tough question. I'm not sure why I matter... I just try to bring love and laughter to those around me.

3. What is your life motto?
An easy one! Illegitimus non carborundum - don't let the bastards grind you down!

4. What’s something you have that everyone wants?
I am not sure that I have something that everyone wants...

5. What is missing in your life?
I think something that is missing in my life is maybe my relationship with God - I know it used to be stronger and I know I haven't been putting in much work on my end.

6. What’s been on your mind most lately?
Babies! :)

7. Happiness is a ________?
emotion that you have to constantly work towards.

8. What stands between you and happiness?
Sometimes I stand in the way of my own happiness by doubting myself or not making the necessary changes that I might need to.

9. What do you need most right now?
More sleep... more time in the day... more money :)

10. What does the child inside you long for?
A warm summer day of running and laughing and not having a care in the world!

11. What is one thing right now that you are totally sure of?
My love for my husband.

12. What’s been bothering you lately?
Work! It is so frustrating sometimes!

13. What are you scared of?
Failing at everything I do.

14. What has fear of failure stopped you from doing?
It usually doesn't stop me from doing something... just makes the road a little bumpy.

15. What will you never give up on?
My dreams

16. What do you want to remember forever?
The way I felt on my wedding day - like for once in my life everything was as it should be.

17. What makes you feel secure?
Knowing that I have my husband, family and friends who will always be there for me.

18. Which activities make you lose track of time?
Crafts, Photography, Working Out

19. What’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever made?
I'm not sure that I have ever had to make a really difficult decision.

20. What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
To marry my husband

21. What are you most grateful for?
Family and Friends

22. What is worth the pain?
Love, Life

23. In order of importance, how would you rank: happiness, money, love, health, fame?
love, health, happiness, money, fame

24. What is something you’ve always wanted, but don’t yet have?
A house (our house now is technically my husband's house and I didn't get to help pick it out)

25. What was the most defining moment in your life during this past year?
When we decided we were ready to start thinking about babies - changes your whole perspective on life.

26. What’s the number one change you need to make in your life in the next twelve months?
To get in shape/ healthy so that I can live a long and happy life

27. What’s the number one thing you want to achieve in the next five years?
I would like my own photography studio and a happy, healthy family

28. What is the biggest motivator in your life right now?
My future kids

29. What will you never do?
say never

30. What’s something you said you’d never do, but have since done?
I can't even think of anything.

31. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself?
That I actually do have some creative talents :)

32. What do you sometimes pretend to understand that you really do not?
Haha - sometimes when people talk to me I zone out, but pretend like I heard everything they said. I blame Georgia for this.

33. In one sentence, what do you wish for your future self?
I wish that whatever I decide I want to do with my life that I work hard to achieve.

34. What worries you most about the future?
The uncertainty

35. When you look into the past, what do you miss most?
Friends from high school

36. What’s something from the past that you don’t miss at all?
My biological parents

37. What recently reminded you of how fast time flies?
That we need to start planning our 10 year class reunion.

38. What is the biggest challenge you face right now?
Building my photography business

39. In one word, how would you describe your personality?
Bubbly

40. What never fails to frustrate you?
My mother

41. What are you known for by your friends and family?
making jokes and taking whiskey to the face :)

42. What’s something most people don’t know about you?
That I grew up in Youngstown, OH and if you mess with me I will cut you...
Just kidding... I wouldn't cut anyone...
also, I don't like to wear pants

43. What’s a common misconception people have about you?
That I can't take anything seriously.

44. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with?
Smoke

45. What’s a belief you hold with which many people disagree?
I am pro-choice and I believe in gay marriage

Part II tomorrow!