Choosing Happiness

Hi Friends,

Today I wanted to talk about something that I have really struggled with the past few years. I think a big problem in our society is that being happy and optimistic is almost frowned upon. If someone is happy all the time or tries to always see the good side of things then as a society we assume they are naive and almost weak.

For most of life, or at least what I can remember, I have always tried to be as happy of a person as I could be. However, from the ages of about 15-17 which may be a short time but it was the most recent part of my life and felt like a terribly long time, I felt like I could no longer show people this happiness all the time or I would not be taken seriously or respected. So I forced myself to become almost cynical because sadly I felt that was what you are supposed to do when you get older. I thought that for me to become an adult and to grow up I needed to become realistic (you can read my post about that word here) and practically negative. However, I was so completely wrong about this idea. Maybe I am the only person who ever felt this way but maybe one person who reads this felt this way as well and they need to know that that particular mindset is not true at all.

I spent that time very unhappy and almost angry. I spent two years feeling this way for absolutely no reason except I felt pressure that I needed to act a certain way so that I could fit in with society. Well if I have learned anything from the past couple of years, it would be that trying to fit in rarely makes you happy, but that is a different rant for a different time. However, I recently really realized that it is okay for me to be as optimistic as I want to be. I am not being stupid or naive because I try to trust people as much as I can, or because I give people multiple chances, or because I would rather by nice to someone even if they are mean to me. 

This world needs more optimism and more positive people. The phrase, "a smile is contagious" may be cheesy but I think it is 100% true. Being kind and spreading joy I believe is always the better option. It does not in any way mean you are not a strong person if you are super nice to people. Actually I think it makes you a stronger person. It is easy to be mean and negative towards others, however, to be kind and loving to people even if they have hurt you in some way shows a certain level of maturity that I think is rare among many young people and even several older people as well. 

So the point of this post is...be happy, be kind, spread love and joy, and don't let someone convince you that you are weak for it because you are quite the opposite. You are strong and beautiful and trust me when I say this, life will becomes 100 times more enjoyable when you start choosing happiness and optimism over sadness and negativity. Happiness is choice and some days it is the hardest choice you will make but trust me it is worth it. 

Until Next Time,

Morgan

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10 Little Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Hi Friends,

Today was a beautiful day. Sunny and 65 made today the perfect lake day, but honestly what day isn't the perfect lake day? But anyway, today while I was at the lake sitting on a dock with my good friend, drinking iced coffee, and talking about life, it made me think about all the little things that happened to me this week that I overlooked at the time but honestly really made my week so much better. Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in all the negative things that happen to us that I think we forget to remember all the positive things that helped you get through the week. Whether it be the attitude your barista had when giving you coffee in the morning or the person who helped you when you dropped your stuff, those things are what get you through your week and I think we should pay more attention to those things, instead of focusing on all the things that went wrong in your week. 

So to help me work on seeing the positive and happy things in life, I decided that every Saturday I am going to make a post about 10 little things that made me happy this week! I think those things will remind you of the good in the world and hopefully will encourage you to spread some happiness and positivity to those around you!

My 10 Little Things

Week 1

1. The guys at the lake today who filmed themselves dancing on their jeep

2. Getting to play games at volleyball on thursday instead of a normal practice

3. Getting a window seat on the flight home from Indianapolis 

4. Trying a soufle (not quite sure how you spell it) for the first time with all my friends

5. Eating starburst jelly beans in film class 

6. only having 3 days of school this week

7. My conversation with the girl working at White Rock Coffee yesterday

8. Watching promposals at the pep rally on friday

9. Getting to sleep in for the first time in 3 and a half weeks

10. Finding one of my favorite bows that I had been missing for about a year

So none of these things were life changing but they did make my week a lot better by not really doing much. I think we should spend more time talking about these kinds of things instead of the things that made us mad or upset. I encourage everyone who reads this to make their own list and see what effect it has on you!

Until Next Time,

Morgan





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Book Versus Movie: Love Rosie

Hi friends,

Fair Warning: if you haven't read the book or seen the movie Love Rosie yet and don't want any spoilers then do not read any further!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways, I always find it interesting to compare the differences between the actual book and the movie made based on that book. Sometimes they are very similar and sometimes they are quite different. 

Today, I would like to talk about the book/movie, Love Rosie. People always say they like to read the book first before they see the movie, however recently I think I have realized I like to do the reverse. When I see a movie I feel like it gives me the basic storyline, but then if I go read the book I get like a behind the scenes look. I get to know the characters thoughts and feelings and their background on a much different and deeper level. 

In the movie, Rosie is played by Lilly Collins and Alex is played by Sam Claflin. The movie is very romantic comedy-esque and the soundtrack is so on point that I could not help but dance around my room as I watched it. It moves very quickly and covers a time span of around 10-13 years in an hour and half. The story goes that Alex and Rosie grew up as best friends. They did everything together and had no secrets at all. Then the movie says that they both decide to go to college in America, Alex at Harvard and Rosie at Boston College. Alex ends up leaving before Rosie and Rosie decides not to go as she becomes pregnant. However, she makes a plan to put the baby up for adoption and just postpone the move, so that she does not have to tell Alex of it. As I am sure you can assume, her plan fails and Alex comes and visits and before he returns to Boston is officially named God father of Rosie's baby ( she decides to keep the baby instead). Due to the fact that Rosie now is a mother she decides to stay in England to raise her baby. During these years they are apart, Rosie gets married to a complete loser, Alex gets engaged to his high school girlfriend who is now a conceited model and becomes an extremely successful doctor who lives a very upscale life, and Rosie works as a maid in the hotel she wishes one day to own. However, as I am sure you can assume by the time Alex and Rosie are close to 30 years old they fall happily in love and end up together. The end.

Now in the book they do eventually get together...however it does not occur until they are about 50. Rosie's character is much more chaotic and she never really has her life together, but in the movie she is slightly characterized as this happy go lucky girly - girl which is not apparent in the book. Alex moves to Boston when he is 16 because of his dad's job, not for college but he does end up going to Harvard. Also in the book he is moving from Ireland not England. At a few points in the book the pair goes years without speaking to each other and their relationship is about 10 times more complicated in the book than in the movie. Alex gets married twice and has two children. Rosie gets married once and dates a few men. The book speaks much more of Rosie's daughter Katie and her best friend Toby. Also, Rosie's best friend plays a much bigger role in the book than in the movie as well. These were the major differences between the two but overall the movie tried to keep the basic storyline

However, I can honestly say I really enjoyed both equally. The book will make you cry, the movie will make you laugh, and both will make you realize that life works in really funny ways sometimes. They both made me smile and were great escapes for me and if a book or movie has given me that, then it absolutely was a success. 

Until Next Time,

Morgan

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Why I Hate Being Told To Be Realistic

Hi Friends,

 Have you ever told someone something you would really love to do or some place you would really love to go and their response is well yeah thats great but lets be REALISTIC that won't happen. Or if you mention you want to live somewhere someday and their response is be REALISTIC, that won't happen ( I get this one a lot because I want to live in places like London, New York, Amsterdam, ect.)

Well, do you want to know my response to all the people who have ever told me to be realistic, I think being realistic is one of the worst things you can do. I think it can keep you from growing and becoming the person deep down you really want to be. One time I was scrolling through youtube before practice, and I came across a sports motivation video with Will Smith, and one of the things he said really stuck with me. He said, "Being realistic is the most common path to mediocrity." This quote stood out to me because I completely agree. I think a dream shouldn't just be something that you daydream about or keep hidden away in your head, your dream should be what gets you up in the morning and keeps you going. It should be what you write on your bathroom mirror or refrigerator to constantly motivate you. Everyone on earth has the opportunity to make their dream come true. However a small amount of people really go after their dreams because it can be quite terrifying and you might feel alone and unsure but when you take yourself out of your comfort zone, that is when change happens, thats when your dream becomes your reality. However, if you play it safe and stay in your comfort zone and keep this mindset that you are being realistic because you think your dream won't true, then you are right, it never will. However, if you just take a chance, then maybe just maybe with the right amount of hard work and a little bit of luck your life can become this amazing adventure, that makes you excited when you go to sleep because you get to wake up in the morning and do what you love all over again. 

Now I do think there is a difference between being smart and being realistic. Give yourself a cushion with the chances you take, but don't just not take any because it is too risky. We only get one life and it is way too short to spend it doing mundane things that just don't make you happy. 

So take risks, take chances, be adventurous, live life to the fullest and whatever you do, never give up on your dreams!

Also if any of you like to read I would really recommend this book to you! It's a children's book but it is filled with wonderful life lessons and will remind you why being different rarely is bad thing!

Also, I am thinking of starting to do a weekly post about a person who inspires me and why they are special and how they have made life just a little bit more enjoyable so be on the lookout for that!

Until Next Time,

Morgan

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My Beautiful Trip To London

Hi Friends,

In case you did not know, yesterday I returned from the greatest vacation of my life. I spent about 5 days in the city of my dreams, London. Ever since I was 14 I have been dreaming of setting foot in the beautiful city and on March 10 that dream came true.

I went on this trip with my dad and I think he was very concerned when after explaining all the things I wanted to do while I was there, I then proceeded to say that I did not want to plan any of it and I just wanted to wing it...with the exception of two shows. Now this idea might sound silly as some people look at a trip to a different country and can't imagine not planning it because there is so much to do and see and you just don't know when you will be able to see it again. However, for me I didn't have a huge desire to see every tourist site possible. I really just wanted to spend most of my time wandering the streets of London and taking in all of its beauty. Of course though, we did squeeze in all the big attractions ( Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Churchill War Rooms, etc.), but still at the end of the trip my favorite parts were just walking around the city and people watching and talking to people who have the pleasure of living in the city I will one day call my home. 

Now I am 100% the most indecisive person you will meet with everything from ordering food at restaurants I could probably read the menu to you I have been there so much, to having zero clue as what job I want to work towards achieving ( everything from coffee shop owner to publicist to fashion blogger have all crossed my mind as a possibility within the last hour) but the one thing I do know is that one day I will call London my home. 

In my short time there, I had never felt like I belong as much as I did while there. I can't quite explain it and I think that is how I know that it is where I want to be. The "not being able to explain it" part also though makes it very difficult because when people ask me about my trip and my favorite parts, I honestly just can't explain it.

However, I did want to tell you about what some of my favorite things were and to make it into a top 10 list (but they are honestly not in a particular order because I loved it all )

My London Top Ten

1. Seeing Jeremy Irons walking his dog in the Kensington Gardens

2. Meeting a New Yorker who moved to Ireland and now spends her time traveling Europe

3. Les Miserables (by far the best musical I have ever seen)

4. Having an afternoon tea with the best dad around

5. Exploring the portobello road market

6. Tasting about a billion different kinds of tea at the borough market

7. Visiting the Nottinghill bookshop

8. Watching a rugby match at a pub

9. Visiting the Peter Pan statue

10. Looking over the Thames at night

I hope if you have been to London or are going soon that you get to or have gotten to experience some of these things as well! Until Next Time,

Love,

Morgan

P.S. I would also like to apologize for the poor photo quality as I promised myself I would not spend this trip worrying about getting perfect photos and would instead just try to enjoy the moment

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