becoming an oak

since i wrote about how i was gonna start a happiness project this year a couple weeks ago, i thought it would be good of me to keep a record of my weekly thoughts/reflections of how the project is going.

this month my focuses are spirituality/meditation.

i took away a great deal this week while meditating on isaiah 61: 1-3. i thought about what i've been called to be, who i've been called to help and encourage, and how i can encourage those around me.

i spent the greater part of the week meditating on how to become "an oak of righteousness" (vs. 3). i hope that in the future i can become more of a radiant spirit, bestowing beauty, stability, and endurance to those around me, all the while striving for humility, gentleness, and grace.

yah, i know, it's a lot to strive for, but i think those things will help me leave the legacy i long to leave behind.

one profound thing i learned this week was trait transfer which was found in the happiness project.

trait transfer: 

"because of trait transfer, whatever you say about other people (he's obnoxious, she's brilliant) shapes the way people see you."

in trying to gain happiness, working on building a more positive verbal repertoire will help me feel more positive about myself. also, this has a similar vibe to "loving your neighbors as yourself."

overall, i feel more happy since last week. i disciplined myself to cross off things on my to do list every day and feel like i accomplished some things that have been hanging over my head. and kabam! my load feels lighter and i feel more free to enjoy myself!

off to week 2!