Tag Archives: Happiness

3 Ways To Increase Your Happiness…NOW!

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Happy Saturday Sistas,

Because our society has taught us an “I want this and I want that” mentality, our level of happiness can easily be destroyed. If you’ve been on this planet for very long, you have learned that the “getting” of these things is only a temporary thrill. So, why do we put ourselves through this happiness-depleting and joy-sucking misery of want, want, want. Is it because our friends have the latest handbag or because that commercial told us our lives would be better with that product or we are simply trying to fill a void in our life with “things”? Last year, I recommended a great documentary to help us put this in perspective called Happy on Netflix. It’s a great idea to watch this a few times a year. Just sayin’. 

A large aspect to my blog & webseries is helping/teaching women how to increase their joy by removing old ways of thinking that prevent them from living their most vibrant life. Hello, SOS! Wikipedia’s definition of SOS is “an international code signal of extreme distress or an urgent appeal for help”.

If you are in a state of “SOS” regarding your level of happiness, try these things NOW:

Unchain_my_heart_by_Cindaretta[Photo by Cinderatta]

I. OPEN YOUR HEART: I don’t think we realize how much we guard our heart or close it off because of past pains. You may have forgiven that person who hurt you, but you are still walking around with a closed heart. It could also be described as ‘living with walls up’. I did this for SO many years and I was miserable. Many of us starting living a guarded life as a young child. That was me and I can remember people saying, “you are such a pretty girl, you should smile more”. As I grew into a young woman, I just learned to wear a mask to appear happy. I could be whatever  you needed me to be. It took years to heal, but I am grateful to say — I live life much more open hearted now. If this is you, remove the armor around your heart by letting God’s love in. As His love floods your heart it will melt any armor, chains or walls. Then you are FREE to let love flow in and out of you. Talk about raising your level of happiness. Holla!  

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II. HANG OUT WITH SOMEONE WHO “GETS YOU”: Do you notice how crap you feel after hanging out with certain friends? You cant quite put your finger on it, but you leave their presence with a sense of unhappiness or unfulfillment. It’s that friend or family member who asks how you’re doing with that shallow and robotic vibe about them. When you answer, they have this glazed over look in their eyes.  They don’t “get” you, your lifestyle, mission or project. Go ahead and punch me in the gut why don’t you? Lord help me, I limit my time with these types of people now. If you are surrounded by dream crushers, seek out that friend or family member who embraces YOU just as you are with all your crazy passions and quirks. 

My sister just arrived to Texas and we will have our first family vacay in over 25 years next weekend. I am bursting with joy and happiness as I look forward to having quality time with her. She and I have had our years of squabbling, as most sisters do, but at the end of the day — we “get” each other. We both strut to the beat of our own drum, are pretty quirky and totally untraditional. I don’t have to guard my heart or wear a mask in her presence. WooHoo! 

thelma-and-louise

III. SING AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS IN THE CAR: Have a “Thelma & Louise” moment minus the driving off the cliff scene! It is a scientific fact that singing loudly releases endorphins, our “feel good” chemicals. Singing on a regular basis could actually lengthen your life. One of my favorite things to do is drive fast down the freeway by myself with a great song (like anything by Miranda Lambert) cranked up and singing like a crazy lady — I don’t care how out of tune I am!

Feeling low today? Go jump in the car with your iPod or your fave CD and take a cruise by yourself or pick up your bestie who likes to be a crazy lady with you. I promise, you will feel happier sista! My longtime friend and soul sister, LeeAnne Locken, have been doing this for nearly 30 years. You should hear us sing Stone Temple Pilots…or maybe not. Hahaha! We’ve had many “Thelma & Louise” moments over the years. If you need daily inspiration, make sure to subscribe to her blog, Inspiration by LeeAnne Locken.

Join me in wishing LeeAnne a very happy & blessed birthday today! I’m grateful for the many years acting like crazy ladies together. She gets me! 

LeeAnne_madhatters[LeeAnne & I at this years Mad Hatter’s Luncheon]

What’s your go-to happy activity?

Open your heart, go grab a friend who you can be a crazy lady with and ya’ll sing Miranda Lambert at the top of your lungs. Just writing that out made me happier:-) 

Love, Tiff

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TIFF’S TWENTY TIPS {or affirmations}….for a happy life!

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HAPPY_movie

Happy Sunday Sistas!  

I was looking back through my old blog posts and decided to re-post these simple tips along with encouraging you all to watch the brilliant little documentary called “Happy”.

It’s playing on Netflix right now and I highly, highly recommend it.  It’s one of those ‘go to’ films we need to watch whenever we start to complain about our life.  Here’s a sneak peek:

 

Obviously by now, if you have been following my blog for a while– you know that SOS is not just about finding the perfect shade of lipstick or those killer heels.  It’s about the dual approach of feeling your best AND looking your best.  Audrey Hepburn said it simply yet eloquently, “The happiest girls are the prettiest girls”.   No amount of botox, bronzer, Christian Louboutin’s or curling irons can do what true inner peace, self-love and happiness can do for a gal!  Here’s my tips or affirmations for a happy life and I would LOVE to hear one of yours.  Please comment and share!

1. Cut the crap…keep it real~

2. You get what you give…you want respect, give respect~

3. Make learning a lifetime pursuit

4. Be present..the past is o-v-e-r~

5. Be flexible & open minded

6. Keep an attitude of gratitude

7. Create a vision board…keep your goals & dreams in plain sight~

8. Words are powerful…be mindful of what you say~

9. Exercise & move your body

10. Learn the power of saying NO

11. Do the right thing and take the high road

12. Giving & helping others is like a natural anti-depressant

13. Always keep believing in yourself no matter the circumstance

14. Do not compare yourself to others

15. Ignore other people’s drama. What you focus on expands~

16. Admire your strengths and embrace your weaknesses

17. Do the thing that scares you!  It will instantly banish the fear~

18. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes. A different perspective is always a good thing~

19. Prayer is powerful and can be done anytime, anywhere~

20. NEVER GIVE UP!!!

Audrey-hepburn-inspirational-quotes-2

I never get tired of that quote!

What is one of your life tips/quotes/affirmations?

Wishing you a beautifully blessed week ahead and thank you for being part of this Sisterhood.

Love,

Tiff

 

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY plus Beauty + Haircare Answers

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Hey Happy Hotties!

Are you a worrier? Or are you a happy girl, naturally? Of course, at different seasons in our lives we may tend to be one over the other.  Really, we all have so much to be happy about in the grand scheme of things, but why is it we so often battle with unnecessary worry which drains us of energy, vibrance and joy.  When I’m worried, I feel as if I have a dark cloud over my entire life.  NO THANK YOU!  Bring on the blue skies and sunshine please!  Which sounds better to you? HAPPY(adj.) enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment. WORRY (v.) to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret.  It is truly a conscious choice to stop worrying and choose happiness.

P.S. You girls who have won the AHP limited-edition EP, my hubby wrote a song on this very subject called “Nothing But Blue”- Enjoy!

There’s been lots of talk of HAPPINESS lately and Oprah’s even launching a “Celebrate 30 Days of Happiness” campaign to get us all focusing on our happiest moment of each day.  I love this and I’m joining in! I have to admit, I’ve been pretty lazy with my journaling and this is exactly the kick-in-the-bootie I need to get back to it. I know myself and I am much more peaceful and joy-filled when I write down happy moments and things I’m grateful for. Some people think journaling is just a venting session and a cathartic vomit of the negative junk in our heads. Ok- yes, someday’s that is what’s required to keep our sanity, BUT for the month of August– let’s all join Lady O and celebrate the things that make us happy. I want to see some comments below and on Facebook saying YES, I’M IN TIFF!

NEW WEBISODE

Here’s my A’s to Shannon’s Q’s:

 

For the latest hair tips plus inspiring + encouraging videos, make sure to check out

HAIR WITH HANNAH on Facebook and YouTube!

{Hannah’s Top Pick}

{My drugstore fave’s by Garnier}

{I always go back to Morcoccan Oil}

{My Fave Foundation}

{Loving the healthy organic line Sia Botanics}

{The one facial product I will not go without}

I’m sad to say this friday is the last full SOS Summer Swag Bag Giveaway.  It has been such a blast giving away such awesome products and helping promote these fabulous companies!  We will have a few more smaller giveaways with great books from SOUND WISDOM plus a few surprise goodies from me!  Make sure to check in on the FACEBOOK COMMUNITY and make comments.  This has been such a fun way for us all the get to know one another better and strengthen our Style Sisterhood.

Celebrating a very Happy August,

Tiff