Bit of Happy #102: Never The Same

“The sun truly “comes up like thunder” and it sets just as fast. Each sunrise and sunset lasts only a few seconds. But in that time you see at least eight different bands of color come and go, from a brilliant red to the brightest and deepest blue. And you see sixteen sunrises and sixteen sunsets every day you’re in space. No sunrise or sunset is ever the same.”
-Joseph Allen, Astronaut, USA

This past weekend, I probably had the best Valentine’s date EVER. Planned completely by him, the evening started at the planetarium. Being able to share this experience with him – new for me, but a longtime passion of his – definitely brought us closer. To see him shine, to see his happiness – it was certainly contagious. I love nothing more than trying something new with an amazing person at my side.

You all know how much I stress the importance of embracing new experiences. And if you don’t know that, you’ll find that my quotes tend to ring a similar bell. The reason for this is HUGE! And I know you are all dying to know that reason! It’s because… I had an amazing time! I learned something, embraced a new experience. I can’t even describe how incredible it was to look up and see the entire night sky above me – especially since I haven’t been able to spend much time outside because of the cold weather. It was a wonderful change of pace, leaving me to anticipate an early arrival of spring. Not only that, but I imagine not having that experience and realizing I’d truly be missing out.

Anyway, as we were waiting in line to enter the planetarium, there was a huge wall of different facts about the planets and stars with breathtaking imagery. There were also various quotes from astronauts and other famous people contributing their lives to science. I came across this one quote and absolutely fell in love with it. I asked him take a picture with his “almighty” iPhone, (since my phone is in the shop, lol) so I could share it on Little Bits of Happy. So, thank youuuu for that!

Not only did this quote plant vivid imagery of what the world traveling around the sun may look like, but it also brought life into perspective. There’s a kind of magic in this quote. A magic that I never really thought of before that moment. I’ve never really wondered what the sky looks like as the sun is rising and setting in space. It’s so beautiful when standing with my two feet on the ground, that I couldn’t imagine it getting more stunning.  In ways, I feel like it’s unfathomable unless you experience it first hand. How lucky are astronauts for getting to witness this magic? Sixteen sunrises and sixteen sunsets – all in one day.

In those moments of reading this quote for the first time, I found myself wanting to read it again as soon as I finished. And again. And again. Each time I read over the words, a new meaning seemed to take flight in my mind. I held on to the very last line – “No sunrise or sunset is ever the same.” In life, each day is a new one. No day is ever exactly the same.

And in many ways, each day “comes up like thunder.” And when looking at the big picture, a day seems to “last only a few seconds.” It can seem to go by with the blink of an eye. But it’s moments like this that are beautiful – “a brilliant red to the brightest and deepest blue.” It’s sharing and experiencing those moments with people who truly care about you, who will cherish those memories just the same.

You know, I was thinking the other day… if I live to be 100 years old, I will have lived 36,500 days. And I don’t know if that sounds like a lot to you, but it just doesn’t seem like enough to me. And even though I probably can’t buy many more and will most likely get even less, there’s only one thing I can do. And that’s live! Live each and every day to its absolute fullest. To take time to watch the sunset every once in a while. To feel the warm breeze on my skin and through my hair. To appreciate the change of seasons. To make mistakes, learn from them and grow every chance I get. To take a leap of faith and not be afraid. To put my trust into someone. To love unconditionally with my whole heart. And if I can do all of those things, then I will have made the most of my 36,500 days… Or how ever many I am lucky enough to be given.

I hope you like today’s quote as much as I do! It’s definitely different than most of mine, but I love the way it stands out from the rest!

Bit of Happy #96: Remake The World

“As you go out to remake the world, I offer the following bits of wisdom — keep learning, stay awake to amazement, be kind rather than right. And, remember, while you might not agree with this now, being loved is better than being rich.”
-Anonymous

I actually found this quote on a card that was given to me by a family member when I graduated from college. I thought its message was perfect for someone who is graduating, or in a more general sense… turning to a new chapter in life. It reveals a very important lesson that everyone can take something from. Little bits of wisdom.

Keep learning. Stay awake to amazement. Be kind. Love should be held above all things. It’s funny because these are often things I find in many other quotes. These very bits of wisdom seem to pop up everywhere. And it’s that continuous reminder that makes me realize how important this advice truly is.

You know, this quote makes me picture a person after 100 years of life, with skin worn from wrinkles and hair of snow white, speaking these very words. That after being in this world all this time, they have learned – whether at the time or when it was too late – that these are the things that are truly important in life. It would be the advice that someone would give today’s youth as guidance towards a path of no regret. Of fulfillment. Of love.

And in the end, isn’t that what is most important? It’s not having all the money in the world. It’s not the tangible possessions either. But what is important is this… It’s the search for happiness and one day reaching it. It’s finding love and understanding how to appreciate it. It’s living in the moment and learning to cherish those memories.

Life is what you make of it. You can live in a world of gloom and darkness – purples and blues. Or, you can open the window and let the light shine in. The choice is yours for the making.

Bit of Happy #66: What TO Wear

My Mother’s Lampe Berger

“Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.”
-Janet Lane

I just recently came across this quote, and I love, love, LOVE it! Lane’s words, clever in arrangement, inspire positivity in me and hopefully you as well! It encourages me to reflect on how I approach others. It brings awareness to the importance of expression. That it’s not necessarily what shade of blue I wear that’s important, but rather the way I present myself. If I express happiness to all I meet, it is likely that my happiness will rub off on them. Or at the very least, be one less reason for them to justify their discontentment.

I know that it can be difficult to be happy all of the time. I know that it’s nearly impossible to express happiness throughout your day when you aren’t feeling it in your heart. But I can promise you one thing, the happier you can make yourself seem, the more likely that happiness will become real. Surround yourself with family and friends who love you. Fill your time with things you love doing. And don’t ever lose hope that tomorrow is the beginning of the rest of your life. Go into each day with that attitude, and you’ll be sure to find happiness within your expression.

Do you like this quote? What does it mean to you?

Bit of Happy #35: Leave Your Mark

A photograph I took for my Black & White Photography class in college.

“We are born into the world like a blank canvas, and every person that crosses our path takes up the brush and makes their mark upon our surface, so it is that we develop. But we must realize that there comes a day that we must take up the brush and finish the work. For only we can determine if we are to be just another painting or a masterpiece.”
-Javan

So uplifting and motivating. It paints a picture of the path that life travels. In the beginning – a white canvas is born. Pure. Innocent. Untouched. With each passing day, those who grow close to you will forever leave a mark on your canvas – some warm reds and yellows and others cool blues and purples. Some marks will last and go on forever and some may be abruptly severed. Some strokes will overlap with others, and may one day smooth over the underlying mark completely.

But no matter what effect others have on you – it is ultimately your choice how you live your life. It is ultimately your choice if you are strong or weak. It is ultimately your choice if you stay optimistic about the future or let the past drag down your spirits. The brush is in your hands to finish the work. Your life is in your hands to make it what you want. Live it the way you want.

So what is your choice? Will you be just another painting? Or, will you look at the marks others have left on your life and find a way to turn it into a masterpiece?

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