Week 2 Report on the (Happiness Project) Project

I can say this week went much more smoothly than last week. There were a few bumps here and there, but perfect is not in my vocabulary during this project.
I was able to read from Inkdeath and also to take time to write a little something every day. This week has successfully reminded me why I'm going to be an English Literature major in college. These are the sole two things that I just love to do. I could spend hours lying around just reading. And although I don't always have an idea in my head to write about, when I do, I can't stop. I keep going and going until I either finish my thoughts or crash right there on my keyboard.
Haidt mentioned in The Happiness Hypothesis that when people are doing something they enjoy and are good at, they become "in the zone", which is completely how I feel when I'm in a writing kind of mood. It can be hard to focus sometimes or come up with a cool idea to write about, but it's also hard to close my laptop when it's already 11:30, even though I want to keep on typing until that last paragraph is finished. Words are a finicky thing to me, because sometimes they seem to just flow and are able to connect my thoughts beautifully and seamlessly. However, at other times, it can be as if my mind is completely empty and the English language is lost on me. This can be incredibly frustrating, but as I practice writing something everyday, it becomes a little easier to think of things to say, and to also develop your own voice in writing.
I found a strong connection to myself and Rubin in the Happiness Project, especially when her focus of the month was Pursue a Passion. She took on the challenge of writing a novel in 30 days, which seemed impossible, but aparently do-able. My favorite thing she did was "forget the results", which is something I have a hard time doing. Forgetting results means to not worry about what you're writing or editing it after it's completed. I'm constantly checking and rechecking whatever I'm working on and editing my writing as I go along. This ends up with me spending more time trying to fix what I've already written than trying to write more and be happy with it the first time around. So, applying what Rubin did, this week I tried to forget results. Even though I'm putting all of this on the internet for the whole world to see, it's important to not let what others might judge affect what or how I'm writing.
This week I also kept up on getting enough sleep and finishing homework in a timely manner. The cleaning part is still a struggle, however, and I need to get it back under control before my clothes form a munity and forever overtake my bed or something.

Bedtime Stories

When I was very young, my favorite way to end the day was to snuggle deep under the covers in the middle of my parents' bed and wait for my bedtime story. They were almost always the same kind of story, and almost never from an actual book. My dad would make one up on the spot just for me. I would listen as the words he said painted the most vived pictures and imagine that I was actually there. By the end, I was already nearly half asleep and dreaming of the places he talked about.
I had been thinking about these little stories the other day and wondered what they would look like if I wrote them out. Seeing as this week I'm focusing on writing, I figured it would be a good opportunity to stretch my memory muscle as well as my creative one. Even just remembering the stories themselves got me excited to write one out and see if I could recall all the little details. It brought back the magic of laying in bed and having someone tell you of a faraway land in their very best narrator voice and thinking, that if you believed so, one day you would grow up and really be able to live there. And so, without any further ado, here is a very short version of my favorite childhood bedtime story:
Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful princess. She dressed in the finest gowns made of the softest silk and the smoothest satin. Her castle had hundreds of rooms and secret hiding spots, perfect for playing hide and seek. The princess loved to look out from the tallest tower's windows and see the dense forest that stretched out in every direction. She would imagine all the adventures that awaited her out among those trees.
The princess also had very many horses, always nicely groomed and ready to be saddled for her. She loved to ride them most everyday, but had never had enough courage to go riding alone in the forest.
One day, however, she mustered up the strength to take her favorite horse and finally see all the magic that was sure to be out in all those grand trees. Sure enough, in no time at all, she found herself happily galloping through the magnificent forest she had always wanted to see for herself. Trotting along, the princess came upon many creatures she had learned all about in the books she was always reading, but had never met in face to face. Luckily, they were all very nice creatures, so she didn't have to worry too much.
After a great deal of time spent in the wonderful forest, the princess decided it was time to go back to castle. She was so worn out that, when she arrived, the princess simply took her horse back to the stables, and went straight to bed.

A Very Important Letter

This is a letter I wrote today to Sarai. Sarai will be a year old on October 27th, but she's also moving to Seattle next week. I watched her all summer long and felt the need to write her this to let her know how important she is to me.


Dearest Sarai,

Right now, you may or not remember me, but I certainly know you. You are the sweet little girl that stole my heart this past summer. I was fortunate enough to spend day after day with you, watching you grow up right before my eyes. We played with your favorite toys, like your kitty keyboard that could almost always distract you in case you realized Mommy or Daddy had left the room. We went on long walks with you in your stroller, falling asleep in no time, clutching darling little Blue. We watched endless hours of My Little Pony, and remembering how you liked to dance to the theme song still makes me smile. I was there to see you learn how to walk, and how to get right back up when you would fall. I comforted you when you were cutting teeth, always keeping extra pacifiers in the freezer for you. Lunchtime may have been messy, but it was still fun to watch you decide if you liked a new food, although sweet potatoes was always your favorite.

But my most treasured memories spent with you, little Sarai, was rocking you to sleep. Even though it may have taken a little while, and even though you could really put up a fight, watching you drift off and look so peaceful made my heart melt every time.

Although I won't see very often anymore, you'll always be the little girl who never made my summer job feel like a job at all. There's nothing I would have rather been doing.

Finally, the last thing I want to let you to know is how special your mom is to me. A mentor, teacher, friend, and the coolest employer I've ever had. She has been the most influencial human being that I have been blessed with in my life, and you are so lucky to have her as a mother. She loves you more than you could ever know, but she does everything she can to show you. I can be sure of this, because it's how she feels towards all of us at youth group. I'm incredibly sad to see her leave, but I'm also excited for all of the Stan family on their new adventure.

I hate goodbyes, so I'll end this letter with a simple see you later.

So, Monkeydoodles, I'll be seeing you later.



Love Always,

Erin

Along this Week...

During this week, I'm working on trying to write everyday. Below is a poem I wrote on Monday:

He gently cradled my face
in his steady hands.
His lips brushed my forehead,
His words washed over me,
soothing my worrisome heart.
They gave me comfort and
filled me with hope.
The entire world
melted away by only
his voice.
And so, through the tears,
I smiled and I kissed him.
For the soft whisphers
he spoke,
Held only truth.
And the truth is all
I will ever need.