Life as we want it

we always try to be the authors of our lives,

and yes, there are things that are predestined,

but I believe that no one is ever granted a bad life,

regardless of your circumstances.

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I may not be able to tell you how,

(if only I knew how)

but I can tell you a short story I came across.

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recently, I was having lunch at a busy coffee shop.

there were two particular stalls that were busy with people queuing just to place their orders.

I stood near one of the stalls and soon I began to notice

that the couple running the stall was screaming their heads off at each other.

"get the soup", "where's the next order", "my grandma work faster than you"

yes, the heat is almost unbearable, the pressure is high,

the queues are getting longer by the minute.

so the screams were totally understandable, right?

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that was when I noticed the other stall.

even though they were just as busy,

the atmosphere was of a different tone.

the couple spoke softly and patiently,

they laughed when either on of them made a mistake,

and smiled at customers who were complaining that the line was too long.

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then I realized that yes, there may be times your surrounding determines your happiness - times when you allow that to happen.

both are in the same circumstances,

same heat, same long queues, same pressure -

but the way they addressed it was different.

as much as circumstances may affect your life,

you are the ultimate author of your life.
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Life : Lessons from "How to Fall in Love"

I have just finished Cecelia Ahern's "How to Fall in Love"

and I must say that it was a great book.

more often than not, we look for things to fall in love with.

ambitions, people, hobbies, places.

but we tend to forget to love ourselves.

this book is worth the read because it opened my eyes to see life in a whole new light.

hence, this post! : some (beautiful) quotes and life lessons I learnt from Cecelia Ahern.

 

1. "Just so you know, suicidal is not a feeling. It's a state of being.
Sadness is a feeling, loneliness is a feeling, anger is a feeling. Frustration is a feeling.
Jealousy is a feeling. Suicidal is not a feeling. You can have suicidal thoughts.
But a thought is merely that : a thought.
Our thoughts are ever changing, because we put them there.
Once you grasp the difference between suicidal thoughts and your feelings, you will start to understand your emotions. You can separate your suicidal thoughts from your feelings."

 

I know this is a long one, but I do think this is an important one.
it doesn't matter if you are the one who are having those thoughts or
if you know of someone who does.
more often than not, the person does not see it as a thought.
you see, if it is treated as a feeling, i.e. anger, you will deal with your anger.
instead of feeling suicidal and clueless as to what is the root of those thoughts.
and like what Cecelia Ahern wrote :
"get to the bottom of those thoughts, challenge them and regain control."
*hugs

2. "where would we be without tomorrows? what we'd have instead are todays.
and if that is the case, with you, i'd hope for the longest day for today.
i'd fill today with you, doing everything I've ever loved."

the essence is to live life to the fullest.
one of my mantras which I wish I can live to achieve.
to be with the ones you cherish most,
to do the things that make you happy.
what more can one ask of life?
also, sometimes we're too busy planning for tomorrow,
chasing after tomorrows,
without even knowing if we'll get to tomorrow,
but so much that we missed out on today.

3. "But you can't chase happiness.
Joy happens spontaneously - it's not some generic by-numbers formula that you follow."

this is true.
sometimes, I wonder if happiness has become something we seek after
according to other people's formulas?
if people have fast cars - we need those to be happy.
if people have private jets - we need a bigger one.
or even by reading some blogs, or books - 25 ways to feel happy.
really?
what if I don't like the smell of flowers that is supposed to make me feel happy?
what if I don't want to eat chocolates to feel better?

4. "Life is a series of moments and moments are always changing,
just like thoughts, negative and positive.
And though it may be human nature to dwell,
like many natural things, its senseless,
senseless to allow a single thought to inhabit a mind
because thoughts are like guests of fair-weather friends.
as soon as they arrive, they can leave."

yes, we do like to dwell in our past, both bad and good.
and I do believe that it is human to regret and to indulge in reminiscence.
but it is also important that we move on.
at least for the sake of peace and sanity,
and even if it takes half a lifetime,
I believe that as long as you're moving on,
you're living life.

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