Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The Life of Awesome

I got to watch the Today Show this morning while I worked out. I love when that happens. They were talking about a book called, The Book of Awesome. I hadn't ever heard of it before, but I absolutely loved the idea of it. Basically it is a compilation of the little things random things that you think are awesome, and that make you really happy.

A few of the things that made The Book of Awesome were things like...snow days, the smell of bakery air, hitting green lights, getting to watch The Price is Right when you're home sick, putting on warm underwear out of the dryer...etc...

I love this. Basically it's taking a moment to notice the little things in life that make us happy. Far too often I think we focus on the problems in life, the things that are bugging us, or the flaws we have. Our thought process may go something like this...

I'm ten pounds overweight.
I have to go to the gym. Again. 
My jeans don't fit.
I am tired.
I messed up on my diet. Again.
It's freezing. Still.
I hate that I am eating this plate of vegetables instead of a pan of brownies. 
I wish the woman in the grocery store line in front of me didn't have 4,589 items. I'm going to be here all day. etc...

You all know those negative people in your lives. People that you feel like you'd rather not run into because when you're done you leave feeling a little hunched over and tired, like the world is going to end soon. Nobody wants to be that person! I think that having positive thoughts make for positive outcomes. Watching this segment this morning made me think of a few of the things I would put in my own "Book of Awesome."

a morning where I don't have to wake up to my alarm
walking in the door from an awesome morning run/workout
dressing up
The anticipation of leaving on a trip
An Ice Cold Diet Dr. Pepper
finding a good parking spot
Eating at my favorite resturaunts 
capturing a perfect picture
hanging out with my family
winning a board game (I'm not competitive at all, promise)
having a clean room 
inside jokes 
Seeing a friend or family member I haven't seen in a while
Shopping with my mom and sisters
Getting a pedicure (No, I don't have jaundice...not sure what the coloring is doing in this pic)
getting a funny text message 
getting a funny text message from a boy I loooove
learning a new song on my guitar
discovering new music
hearing a song I love that I haven't heard in a while
singing in the car
hearing someone extremely talented sing a song I love live
kitchen dance parties
making a delicious meal or baked good
watching fireworks
a good hug
new socks
belly laughing
going on the white roller coaster at Disneyland 
falling asleep on the beach
being tan
cuddling with a soft blanket
frozen yogurt
buying a new favorite pair of shoes
the first bite of my favorite foods
road trips
road trips with my daddy-o
laughing with friends (this is the part where I steal a photo from Janae...love you Janae-nae)
Speaking of...last night I went to dinner with Janae, Ashley, Julia, and Rachelle...I think I laughed the entire time. Bottomless salads at my favorite restaurant with some of the most amazing people I know? That definitely goes in my book of awesome. Oh, and I think this is the first time that everyone else was in gym clothes and I was in normal clothes...it was weird. It probably will never happen again. Good thing a photo was taken.

So take a second. Instead of focusing on the negatives and the unhealthy thoughts that are in your mind, make your own, "list of awesome." What are the little things that make you happy? I feel like I could make a VERY long list.

p.s. Tomorrow it's time for a new monthly playlist giveaway. WAHOO! get excited.
p.p.s My mom came in town yesterday. I love when that happens.

26 comments:

Nichole Barney said...

I want to see that book. I LOVE the title! I loved all your Awesomes! I think we have most of the same ones!!! We should all write our own books!

Julia said...

you are fabulous and it made me so happy to see you last night. honestly...there are 1000 little things that make me happy. but on a daily basis it is the sun and my sweet pup. :)

Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner said...

Great post! Just reading your list makes me happy!
:)

Leilani Wilson said...

Megan I saw the segment this morning on the Today Show and have been thinking about it all day. While sitting poolside in Scottsdale with Mollie (we love Arizona) I came across your post and thought. " Megan is a perfect example of AWESOME". You are always happy and positive I have lots of fond awesome memories of you. Your a great example. Love you!

Leilani Wilson said...

Megan I saw the segment this morning on the Today Show and have been thinking about it all day. While sitting poolside in Scottsdale with Mollie (we love Arizona) I came across your post and thought. " Megan is a perfect example of AWESOME". You are always happy and positive I have lots of fond awesome memories of you. Your a great example. Love you!

Leilani Wilson said...

Megan I saw the segment this morning on the Today Show and have been thinking about it all day. While sitting poolside in Scottsdale with Mollie (we love Arizona) I came across your post and thought. " Megan is a perfect example of AWESOME". You are always happy and positive I have lots of fond awesome memories of you. Your a great example. Love you!

Merediths said...

I think this is the same guy I heard do a motivational presentation about this book...You should look for it. It's even more awesome to hear the author tell how the idea for his book started! :) He's funny.

Holley @ Lunges and Lashes said...

Your life is sounding pretty AMAZING right now!!! Can I BE you? You are so right, there are so many positive good things to focus on. Life IS AWESOME!

Unknown said...

That sounds like an awesome book...LOL (pun intended!) I think it's a great idea. I try to look at the positives cause seriously life sucks sometimes! And I CAN'T stand negative people. Makes me almost delete my facebook account due to some people! LOL

I love all those things! And am kind of way jealous of your pizza factory dates!!

Stefanie D. said...

Ahhh, I love this! You play the guitar?? What? You have got skills girl. :) I think I need to make myself a book of awesome. So I can remind myself of all of the awesome things in life. You are totally right, we tend to focus on the negative rather than all of the great things out there!

My awesomest thing is giving my Little C a kiss when she's sleeping, and seeing her smile as a result. :) Love that baby.

Thanks for such an uplifting post!

Rene said...

A warm towel out of the dryer after a shower. Coming home from a long run on a cold morning and wrapping up in a warm blanket. Laying by the pool reading a book. New episodes of Modern Family. Love the post.

Erin@gosupermamago said...

Love you list! What a great thing to focus on. I won't write you an entire list, but yours made me happy. And playing peek a boo with my little girl while typing and hearing her giggle is definately on that list too! Have an AWESOME day! :)

Daniella @ Runner at Heart said...

The list of things that make m happy is long just like you but to name a few I would say, my fiance, my family (especially my new niece), running, pilates, working out, food and dogs!

Anonymous said...

Love this post! Very recently I reailzed it's not the big things in life that make you happy, it's all those small moments. Being home to see my nephew blow out birthday candles, fritz snoring on my foot while relaxing on the couch, having a chat over bad coffee with a good friend...

ruth said...

wahhoooo i love your playlist giveaways!! maybe some month i will win one :) I LOVE all your posts, but especially this one! i was just cursing the internet connection at work for being so slow and crapping out my pandora, but after reading your post, i felt so much better (and less angry!)

LOVE YOU!!!

xx

Rachelle Wardle said...

Love, Love, Love this post! What an optimistic way to look at life. So many things make my life awesome and too often I take them for granted. Thanks for the reminder! Love you and hope you have a great day! :)

Cara @ EAT. PRAY. RUN. said...

Warm and fuzzy post, loving it!!! Staying positive and looking at all of the awesome things in life is SO important!
My awesome thing is being a morning person -- I love waking up before my roomates and taking time to make oatmeal, read, sip coffee and just chill before the madness of the day starts! I look forward to it daily!

Thisisme said...

I LOVE THIS ENTRY!!!! Other people's happiness is happiness for me (;

Jen said...

What an awesome concept. Kind of like a gratitude journal only better!
I loved reading the things that make you happy and I smiled at the warm underwear thing. I love clothes that come right out of the dryer. I have a child who will throw things in the dryer for a minute just for that feeling.
I love the smell of baking bread. Text messages from people I love make my day. As do comments on my blog! And yes, someday we are going to meet in person!

Lisa said...

OH I love this! And I love the book of awesome. I have so many. Thanks for making me think of the positives instead of negatives, as I usually do =)

Eleyna Julia said...

Thanks Megs! Great reminder. I'm so glad some of your "awesomeness" has rubbed off on me these past few months.

ash & diz said...

Love this. And loved our date. :) you going to spin tonight? I think Janae wants to do Yogurtland after. :) :)

And you play the guitar?! That's awesome!!!

amanda said...

Love your optimisim. Another great book and website is 14,000 things to be happy about. thingstobehappyabout.com Check it out.

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