Don’t Worry, Be Happy.
We recently came across these five rules for happiness in a few local home decor stores near the cash register (LaDiff and Mongrel among others). And although they’re a bit more life related than home-focused, they really struck a chord with me.
Each little charm is sold separately but I love them all. Here’s what they say:
- Free your heart from hatred.
- Free your mind from worries.
- Live simply.
- Give more.
- Expect less.
We were struck by how simple each “secret” is, and we couldn’t agree more. Life really is better spent free of worry, hate, and ridiculously high expectations- and somehow giving a little more always makes you smile and living with less feels so freeing. And of course those five statements got us thinking about you guys. Do you have any mantras to happiness that calm you down or lift you up? Any phrases that you use to remind yourself that every little thing is gonna be alright? Do you do something (meditate? take deep breaths? pump Miley Cyrus?) to get out of a funk or gain perspective? Spill the be happy beans.
For another phrase that really struck us, check out how we made free art from an inspirational quote.
Image courtesy of YBellaCreations.
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Happy is an emotion, and like all emotions, it comes and goes-depending on outward circumstances. But joy– now there’s a horse of a different color! Joy is internal and unchanging. My joy comes from my faith in God, and that requires a very simple life, free of unimportant “stuff”
God, family, community-that gives me joy.
these are 2 sayings that have kept my head on straight in a number of situations in life:
- this too shall pass. (especially thru years of painful orthodontia)
- live simply so that others may simply live (good for when i find myself surrounded by those who are hell bent on deciding how others should live and be.)
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Two things stick with me always. One might not make sense to others, but it pulled me out of that ‘funk’ you referenced. At 17, I was losing my best friend, she was always angry with me (going through her own personal things), and I could never understand why. One night, as we were coming back from a horse auction-a night she had been particularly cruel, my dad hugged me before we walked into the house and said, “Some people just don’t put as much stock in these things as we do.” It gave me peace and understanding and an ally when I felt so alone and ostracized.
The other that sticks with me is from an article I read shortly after 9/11. We were exploring the impact of short words/phrases and how they can be more powerful than longer, more ‘intellectual’ words (e.g. mean vs. unscrupulous). Dr. Palmer, my professor brought in several articles. In one, it had family members and others who had been there describing others’ final moments. One woman, described the final words from her husband, left in her voicemail: “You made my life.” And how much more powerful, wondrous and long-lasting is that than the more expected “I love you.” Look at the meaning, that great compliment. I read those words and tears blurred my eyes instantly. Beyond my feelings for this family and the other 9/11 families, I knew that there was a man in my life—that I was not yet even engaged to—that I would say these words about at the end of our days.
Sherry – How fun to see this post. I bought these from a local store [since closed :-( several years ago. I strung a ribbon through them and attached them to my lampshade in my office. Great reminders.
Ok, that last comment (9/11) made me cry!
When we were struggling to get pregnant my Dad said the quote, “It will be well.” Had gotten him through. (It means a lot now, but at the time it kinda made me want to kick him!)
The one for me that’s big right now is the Trace Adkins song “You’re Gonna Miss This”. My little girl is growing SO fast that it makes me slow down and appreciate each little moment with her. Of course, it too makes me cry almost everytime.
“You’ll never leave where you are until you decide where you’d rather be.”
I don’t know who this is by, but it’s helped me move through some tough times in my life.
In a funk I…..
-talk to my sister. there is no better ear than a sister’s.
-organize something. be it my sewing kit or pull everything out of my kitchen cabinets and start over.
-or if neither of these work I take a wal-mart sack and walk around the house/garage/shed and throw stuff away. i can’t stop till the bag is full. i feel lighter after the bag is full and the unnecessary items are gone.
-or I just have my girlfriends over for wine/game night!
“Always look on the bright side of life” from Spamalot. Kind of cheesy, but if everyone did that, we’d have a lot less problems in the world.
“Worry is a misuse of imagination.” This quote reminds me what a waste incessant worrying really is. Life’s too short to spend my time thinking about the “what-ifs”!
What a sweet story (9/11). Live simply is a huge one for me. We don’t “need” much, and life is so much simpler without clutter and unnecessary things.
Just found your site several days ago and absolutely love it!
My daughter (who is furnishing a new home) and I have poured over your personal before-and-after pictures and your mood boards.
We’re completely hooked on your work and are ordering online like crazy!
I must compliment you on such a user-friendly and utterly USEFUL site.
Your ability to share your splendid design talent in such an easy, accessible, and completely practical way, is quite impressive!
I’m sure I won’t be the first in predicting that the sky is the limit for you both!
what on earth does it mean to “pump Miley Cyrus”???? I have GOT to know!
The more you know the less you need.
though i don’t attend church anymore, two verses from the bible always echo in my head…one expresses the same sentiment as expect less/give more: “to whom much is given, much is required” (paraphrasing). it reminds me that i have so much to be thankful for, and in turn, i need to give back, whether it’s with kindness, time to help, or money to those who don’t have enough. the other echoes “this too shall pass” in a comment above and it’s: “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” maybe in the metaphorical morning, but it will come.
Whenever I am in a funk and have a hard time getting out of bed, dreading a particular event that day, or remembering something not so great that happened the day before, I like to tell myself that “today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Those simple words always seem to inspire me. Also, I am a big fan of the “every little thing is gunna be all right” quotation to help me get through tough times. Thanks for the inspiring post to start out my saturday!
I had a bookmark that is now my favorite quote. “When no one else cares, I know that my dog still loves me”. So true. Had a bad day at work? Feels like no one is listening or paying attention to you? Just go to your pup, they are always happy to see you.
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind”- Dr. Seuss
I was suuuuper shy in high school. I was always afraid or what people thought of me. When I was in college I stumbled across this quote, and I’ve lived my life that way ever since. Let me tell you, it is the most freeing experince to finally let yourself BE yourself.
When I’m stressed out, I BLAST Mandy Moore’s Candy or Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours. Those two songs are what I call my “happy songs”.
LB
What does “pump Miley Cyrus” mean? Yikes.
6. Breathe.
Haha, a bit of my Jersey past must have escaped in that “pump Myley Cyrus” comment. It basically means play it loud… I guess it’s the equivalent to “blast Miley Cyrus.” Hope it helps!
xo,
s
lol @ people not knowing what “pump miley cyrus” means!
Some of the best advice I have been given is regarding marriage “Remember that you are connected at the heart, not the mind.” Meaning that you are not always going to agree on things because you aren’t connected at the mind, but the heart! =)
my current personal mantra is “Create Simple Happiness”. It encompasses everything I aim to work toward this year. Half a year through and it has kept me on track toward my personal goals.
Phew!
I was thinking about this, and for me, I’d also add
7. Assume positive intent.
(which I guess could apply to not assuming something inappropriate being done to poor little Miley Cyrus : )
It has always helped me to remember that happiness is a choice. Abe Lincoln said it this way, “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Historians say he suffered with depression. At a dark time in his life, he is quoted as saying “If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on earth.” Ouch! This man understood pain. It makes his “happiness is a choice” philosophy that much more powerful to me.
- You can’t change the past, you can’t predict the future, you can only live in the present.
- There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
This past I had a big work issue that caused much consternation. One evening, tired of stewing about it, I donned my garden gloves and pulled weeds for three hours! My mind relaxed, the garden and yard look fantastic and I slept soundly that night!
One that immediately sticks out when I read your post is, “always fight for what you want.” My husband just accomplished this right now, and although I was a bit impatient knowing that he couldn’t remember one Spanish word (apparently on the tip of his tongue) we were trying to translate, he chugged along. I gave him synonyms, but the only word he could not remember, I couldn’t remember either. After about 20 minutes, I gave up. He looked and me and said, “Elida, don’t you like to fight for what you want?” I smiled, “Yes, you know I do.” Then he said, “I did, and I found what I wanted.” The word was indispensable.
These little sayings would make great framed art or wall grafitti. You can order pre made or create your own wall grafitti at http://secure.wonderfulgraffiti.com. I used a couple of pieces for our wedding and they were great, easy to use and remove. I’ve got a couple more up my sleeve for our house … when I finally get to those rooms.
“living well is the best revenge” got me through many a breakup in my single days…
also “just because “x” says it, doesn’t make it true” (from my mom)
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.”
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” –Eleanor Rooselvelt
and one that I use all the time…
“if this is the worse thing to happen to me today, I have nothing to complain about”.
I’m not sure I have a specific mantra- but I like the idea. Also love the idea of having them inscribed on an object. Wouldn’t it be nice to have something to literally hold onto in a moment of stress?
P.S. Struck a “chord.” :)
I’m very simple. I always ask myself “Is this going to matter in 5, 10, or 15 years?” If the answer is no, I take a deep breath and keep moving. If you think about it, many of things we worry/stress about will surely be forget them in the next 15 years. I want to look back on a lifetime of “I did…” not “I thought about doing…”
Also, I like to repeat a line from my favorite movie when I’m feeling discouraged: “Just because I cannot see it, doesn’t mean I can’t believe it.” It has helped me many times, especially when I am discouraged and feel like just saying “(^*^%$^$ this!” (And the quote is from Jack Skellington in “The Nightmare Before Christmas”.) :)
“This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging it for a day of your life. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In it’s place is something you have left behind. Let it be something good”
“Don’t focus so much on the destination that you can’t enjoy the journey”
“Live each day as if it were your last. Dream as if you’ll live forever”
“Love is in the air. Take a deep breath” – Sierra Nething
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to what lies within us.”
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I like the idea of using these inspiring words as decor in our homes. I love Flona’s idea about wonderfulgraffitti.com Since we are all the DIY type, maybe a good blog suggestion is how to make artwork out of inspirational quotes to incorporate them into your everyday life. I would look forward to reading the Youngster’s ideas on this.
Just stumbled across your site a few days ago (and am absolutely loving it!!)
My favourite quote is also inspired by a movie:
“Carpe diem – Seize the day” (from Dead Poets Society)
Keep up the great work :)
Hi Sherry & John,
I’ve been lurking for a couple of months & finally decided to post something. Just want to say you guys are awesome (which I”m sure you’ve heard before) I love, love, love, your decorating style. You’ve given me a ton of great ideas. I bought the “Design Idea Book’ from ebay on your recommendation. I know you guys are bargain hunters and will appreciated that I snapped it up for exactly $1.97!!! It’s just as great as you said. I’ve been sitting on my front porch every afternoon dreaming and drooling over the beautiful rooms. Keep up the fabulous work!
Love these quotes. They are so simple yet so true and cut right to the heart of life. I love to take inspiration from song lyrics. When I’ve had a rough day or feel hopeless about something, I like to think about the song Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield:
“Reaching for something in the distance ~ So close you can almost taste it ~ Release your inhibitions ~ Feel the rain on your skin”
It always reminds me that you’re the only one who can control your life and to keep pushing toward your dreams. It’s also a great reminder that life is an unwritten book, and each day you have the opportunity to write your own story.
Hi Sherry & John!
Two things keep me going: “Today is Someday” helps me to remember to live life to the fullest everyday. Instead of staying someday I want to go climb that mountain. Today can always be that day. And the second is “Time will always pass”. I would say that to myself during particularly stressful times especially with timelines (papers are due, big tests to take, presentations). Those projects will be done and life will continue…
Love your site and can’t wait to have a house to transform!
Beth
My life mantra is “Consider the Lilies”. When I’m feeling out of control or worrying about whether my husband will have a job tomorrow and how we’ll afford our house payments if he doesn’t, I remember that God loves me more than those silly flowers and will surely take care of me more than he does them.
I can’t wait to read all the replies to this post- I bet there will be some great quotes to read. Right now I am really digging the phrase “keep calm and carry on”- on all those posters that people are buying from ebay and etsy.
In general when I get stressed and overwhelmed I look at my 1 1/2 yr old son and my 8 month pregnant belly and remind myself what is really important in life.
Life is knowing which side of the mirror reality is on.
I sew, so my favorite saying is “Yard by yard life is hard, inch by inch it’s a cinch!” Simply, hokey, and sweet.
My beloved Helen Keller also said, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” This always helps me when I think that all the little things I do are insignificant. Yes, I recycle junk mail, but I only get a little bit. Well, it’s better to recycle MY little bit than to fall into the belief that it’s insignificant.
Someone mentioned the oldie but goodie “This too shall pass.” This was my mantra to myself in the throes of labour pains while delivering my son. As each contraction would peak, I would remind myself “this too shall pass”- both that individual contraction, and the whole delivery process itself.
Someone also told me that with children, “the days are long, but the years are short.” So true.
The less you own, the less you have to clean.
“Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler.” — Albert Einstein
I’m admiring without the need to acquire. (Read that on someone’s blog)
I just always remind myself that you just have to laugh. Laughter often cheers up the worst situations. Those who cant laugh it off (sometimes myself included) are taking life to seriously and must think they are going to make it out alive.
My husband and I heard the phrase “come what may and love it” once at a meeting and have adopted that in our home. It helps us to have more of a sense of humor when negative things happen. We often find that our initial stress over things will turn into feelings of gratitude for new opportunities.
And if that doesn’t work, I blast my “Angry Girl Music” from my college days.
“Follow your bliss” reminds me to go with what makes me happy and to do what I want with my life. I need this reminder daily.
Another good one, “Happiness is a choice.” When I’m in a bad mood or the day hasn’t gone well, sometimes it’s easier to mope around. This quotation reminds me to make a conscious effort to get back to being happy, that my bad mood/bad day/bad fill-in-the-blank can melt away if I decide to be in a better mood. Yeah it’s definitely easier said than done, but it’s a great reminder.
There are several things I think about when times are tough and are the foundation to my paradigm and worldview. This verse in Jeremiah chapter 29 sums up a lot about who God is: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” If God knows all and God is love then all will be well in the end.
This verse then helps me to interact with that promise and its found in Philippians chapter 4: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds.” It reminds me to have daily conversations with Him, just like I have with my wife, to make sure we’re on the same page. When we’re not on the same page I try to adjust and I find myself alot happier!
Finally, when I find this verse particullarly helpful when dealing with others around me and its found in 1st Corinthians chapter 13: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Thanks for the good post. I’m enjoying reading everyone else’s wonderful quotes.
A great one I came by on a card once:
there is nowhere to go.
there is no one to be.
there is nothing to do.
Very buddhist.
“act as if what you do makes a difference. it does.”
The magnet attached to my bathroom mirror reads “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” I read this every morning first thing when I get up and every night last thing before I lay down. It’s gotten me through some tough patches.
“Everything is always okay in the end- if it’s not- then it’s not the end”
Wow. Those last two comments were waiting in moderation together! Pretty cool.
xo,
s
I have so many…I love finding good quotes.
If you harbour bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.
Also…pumping Miley Cyrus? Really? Please tell me that’s a joke. :)
Yes, yes the Miley thing is a joke. Hmm, maybe sarcasm is harder to communicate via the blog that I originally thought…
And pumping means “blasting the music” to a Jersey Girl like me. Although I do see how it can sound a bit, er, lewd now that people’s minds have gone there.
xo,
s