January 28

Treat others like you want to be treated.


I avoided writing this post for awhile because I was afraid that I would sound preachy.  It is kind of hard not to when you talk about the "Golden Rule".  At least, that is what they called it in Catholic school.  I would like to think that I follow it, but of course, no one does.  If I treated everyone like I wanted to be treated, I would be attracted to everyone and I would be serving everyone cake balls, on the hour, every hour.  I think it is important to think of how you would react to certain things that come out of your mouth.  There, I said it.  Any more preaching and I could title this post Little Women.
AMANDA

I used to live by this rule. I was always taught to treat others the way you want to be treated and all that jazz. But recently, I have realized something that completely contradicts this rule. I don't think everyone wants to be treated the same way. If I want to be treated a certain way, that does not mean that my friend wants to be treated that way, too. What I am going to focus on is being attentive to each person's individual needs. That is a huge part of being a good friend.

xx Brie

January 27

Make a ridiculously small goal and go out and achieve it.  Realize that you can accomplish your goals.


I am going to have a rough weekend so my goal is stay positive and reward myself.
AMANDA

My goal is to get a guy to hold my hand. A certain guy, of course. We have spent hours (and I mean hours) talking and having a wonderful time. I'm positive I'm not stuck in the 'friend zone'. Trust me on that one. Maybe he is trying to be respectful and take things slow, but all I'm asking for is some hand holding action, here. A girl's gotta have something to look forward to! I'll let you know how it goes.

xx Brie

January 26

Quit complaining.


I don't think anyone thinks that they are guilty of complaining too much.  Still, I think we all have something that we simply cannot stop talking about, whether or not another person wants to hear it.  For instance, my sister currently is obsessed with the show True Blood.  I myself can never stop rambling about the book or movie I am currently immersed in.  I even had a phase that I couldn't stop talking about a slinky, but let's not dwell on that one.  Sometimes when I am chatting on the phone with my sister, one of us will go "okay, I need to obsess/rant about this for the next 45 seconds" and the other one will obediently listen.  I think this is a very good system because sometimes you just need to vent.  Just make sure the person is willing to listen.:)
AMANDA

I try my best to be self-aware and to not complain. Of course, we all need to vent our feelings every once and a while, which is healthy. Good friends will always listen to you if you have a problem, but no one really wants to hear someone complain for an extended period of time. It is so easy to become so absorbed in a particular topic and only talk about that one thing. Try your hardest to not push people away by only talking about yourself. That is what I have been working on lately. When a lot of change is going on, it's hard to see things clearly, and sometimes we can lose ourselves in it. If you don't have anyone to complain to, try to release your frustration in a different, more constructive way.

xx Brie

January 25

What is your truth?


As close as I feel to our few, loyal readers, I am certainly not going to post my deepest secrets on this blog.  I apologize for this, since that could make for some juicy reading.


That being said, I think we can use our past secrets or painful memories to express ourselves, whether it be through writing, painting, drawing, music, or any other art form that you do.  Sometimes I feel like a little part of myself goes into these blogs every day.  It feels cathartic and permanent.  I love it.
AMANDA

The truth about me... hmmm. I have been thinking about what to write for a while, and everything sounds really stupid. I keep thinking of things like 'I'm afraid to put myself out there' and 'I'm not as confident as I seem'. Those things are all okay true about me, but they don't seem like my truth. I think your 'truth' is something that you have to figure out for yourself, and I haven't realized mine yet. I feel like my 'truth' is inside of me, I just don't know what it is. And I express it every day through art, music, and writing, just as Amanda said.

xx Brie

January 24

Trust your instincts.  Do not talk yourself out of something that you know is true.


Diana Fletcher said in this message that there are worse things in life to be than embarrassed.  Obviously she never fell and rolled down a hill in mud and had to go back into the building she came out of in front of around 20 people. But seriously, I know what she means about people being embarrassed to be scared.  I think the example Gavin de Becker used in his book, The Gift of Fear, was when a woman is afraid to go into an elevator alone with a guy she thinks is creepy.  I think de Becker puts it best when he says: "What is more ridiculous?  Just walking away from the elevator or getting into a soundproof, steel box with a stranger you don't feel comfortable with?"
AMANDA

That is a great point, Amanda. It is pretty much a perfect example. I am a firm believer in the power of a woman's intuition. I have never regretted following my intuition in my life, and it has never really gotten me into a bad situation. Sometimes over analyzing just gets you into a big old mess. I'm sure we've all been there at one time or another. Trust your instincts. It will save you a lot of trouble.

"Trust yourself and you will know how to live." - Johann Wolfgang van Goethe

xx Brie

January 23

Food is meant to be enjoyed.  Savor one meal today and don't do anything else while you eat.


Today I am going out to ice cream with a friend so that is the meal I am planning on savoring.  I like watching episodes of tv whenever I eat because I don't usually have time to during the week.  The United States isn't exactly known for its fine cuisine but I still try to discover new places in the city all the time (I adore french food).  Believe you me, I enjoy my food a lot.
AMANDA

I had some delicious pasta today, and there were no other distractions. Just me and my thoughts, which is rare. Believe us, we enjoy our food. The only other thing I would want to mention in this post is that lately I have had a lot of work to do, and there have been a lot of stressful situations in my life. Because of that, I have been skipping meals, which I know is not good at all. So, I am going to work on eating three proper meals a day.

xx Brie

January 22

Find people in your life who are at different points in their lives than you are. Listen to what they are going through.

I touched upon this subject a bit yesterday. Diana Fletcher tells us to resist the urge to give advice in today's entry. I am quite close to my cousin, and she reminds me a lot of myself when I was her age. I love to hear all about what is going on in her life. She calls me for advice, so I give her the best guidance I can. I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing to give someone advice, just as long as they ask for it. But don't give unwelcome advice. That can be annoying and unattractive.

I saw a sign today that I really loved. It said happiness is a journey, not a destination.

xx Brie


People in my family are generally older than me so I have never really...mentored anyone.  I talk to a lot of my older family members and I always appreciate their advice.  I always try to listen to other people's problems even if I have never experienced anything like them before. I agree with Brie, only give advice if they ask for it.  Also, listen closely to tell if they want you to help fix a problem or they just want to vent.  Look at me, giving advice when no one has asked for it.  However, as a partner in this blog I can do whatever the hell I want.
AMANDA

January 21

Show you value others by sharing your knowledge.

Well, Amanda is visiting her lovely sister for the weekend, so I am on my own for this post. Part of being a good friend is sharing things you have learned with others. I don't think my group of friends has a problem with that. We are always there for each other to give advice and exchange information. It is noted in Happy On Purpose to not go overboard with pushing your knowledge in other peoples' faces. Don't be a know it all. Chances are, you probably won't get or keep friends that way. I'm sure everyone here knows this, but sometimes we can do those kinds of annoying things without even realizing it. Every once and a while, step back and try to observe your behavior from the outside. If you were someone else, how would you perceive your own behavior?

xx Brie


I am back even if I am a couple days late.  As far as sharing knowledge goes, I am constantly making book or movie lists for my friends; I even made one for Brie.  I always like to consult other people about their "things".  For instance, my brother's "things" are politics and math.  My sister's is beauty.  My friend Mara's is all things nerdy.  People usually come to me for books and movies.  It is fun to look out for potential love interests for my friends and family depending on other people's interests.
AMANDA

January 20

Say thank you.


So...er...this is awkward.  I think Diana Fletcher wanted me to thank whoever I designate as my higher being.  Like I have mentioned before, though, I am an atheist.  So instead of thanking a god, I will thank those that I owe the most.
1. My parents for giving me life and support.
2. My sister for being an amazing guide in my life and making me laugh along the way.
3. My brother for being a mentor to me.
4. My friends for making the worst moments bearable.
5. My entire family for being interesting, entertaining, and loving.
AMANDA

Today was so wonderful! I had a great Friday, and to top off the whole day, a friend unexpectedly texted me. I am really glad he did. That just goes to show that you never know what is right around the corner. I'm sure you all know that recently I haven't been in the best spirits due to my break-up, but a lot of lovely things have been happening to me lately.

Okay, on to the post. Here is my list:
1. My grandma for being so compassionate and unconditionally loving me.
2. My aunt for loving me so much, being so understanding, and always giving me a shoulder to cry on.
3. My mom for showing me how to be strong.
4. My friends for being so sweet and caring, always laughing with me, and comforting me.
5. My entire family for caring so much about each other.

xx Brie

January 19

Don't be afraid to speak up when you are frightened.  Assembly a back up team that will support you if need be.


I have always remembered what Gavin de Becker said in The Gift of Fear about someone following you.  If you think someone is following you, don't just glance repeatedly over your shoulder.  Instead (when there are other people around), turn completely around and just stare.  I think the consequences of not speaking up when you are scared are a lot worse then the consequences of potentially looking like a paranoid idiot.
AMANDA

I completely agree, Amanda. Instead of staying in a relationship that made me unhappy, I spoke up and told him that I wanted to end it. I was so scared, and I'm not even sure why. Maybe it was because I didn't know how I would feel afterwards. Would I regret it? There will always be those 'what if' questions, but I know that I did what was right for me. My back up team was awesome. Amanda, I don't know what I would do without you. I probably would still be with him if it weren't for you. Thank you for telling me that I deserve better, and thank you for giving me so much strength!

xx Brie

January 18

Act like you are looking back on your life when you are a lot older.  What would you wish you had accomplished?  Focus on those goals.

First of all, I just want to say that I am reading one of the best novels of all time right now: The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas.  It is hilarious, romantic, sweet, and in short, encompasses everything I think life is worth living for.  I just thought that I should mention this because it brightens my days so much and I wanted to recommend it.  Moving on!

I think when I am older I will have wanted to see as much of the world as I possibly could.  That has always been my goal so not much change there.

AMANDA

You know those days when you think 'things couldn't possible get any worse'? That was yesterday. Today more devestating news was dropped into my lap. So, that was wonderful.

My goals in life are to love as much as I can and to travel as much as I can. I want to look back on my youth and see that I learned from every experience. I also want to know that I got the most out of every opportunity.

xx Brie

January 17

Focus on solutions.


In today's message, Diana Fletcher described making a small problem huge in your mind which is something that I do ritually.  I have gotten better at getting my mind off things, though.  I think the biggest thing is just to pick a solution and then stop obsessing about it.  At least for me, that is the hardest part.
AMANDA

I need to work on getting my mind off things. I have stuck to my plan with regards to my breakup, but that doesn't make it any easier. The good thing is, when I am around people he knows I am the happiest girl in the world. I don't want to look back on this and think 'why did I act so pathetically sad?' It is better to show him what he is missing.

xx Brie

January 16

Look on the bright side.


I think I make an effort to try to look on the bright side, and if there is an undeniable task that I really do not want to do, I give myself a reward at the end of it.  For instance, today I have a meeting at 4 that I really don't want to go to but afterwards I think I will get in my pajamas and watch a movie.  See, Brie?  Being single is fun!:)
AMANDA

Looking on the bright side isn't exactly what I did today. I thought I was dealing with my breakup in a positive way, but when I got home I cried for hours. All I can say is, I am glad I am not like him. I would never want to make someone feel like I did today.

xx Brie

January 15

Kick roadblocks out of the way.


This is one of those messages that I really have to think about.  I have been staring at this post for about five minutes.  Maybe the fact that I can't think of any roadblocks that I put up simply means that I don't.  I know that may sound pompous or unrealistic but I truly believe I don't.  Right now I am trying to maneuver a move to London in a couple of years, I have battled MHE all my life, and (what I always seem to go back to) I am doing all the 1001 journeys despite the sheer magnitude of the projects.  Maybe later today a roadblock I put up will occur to me but I hope not:).
AMANDA

Right now, sadness is a huge roadblack for me. I just broke up with my boyfriend. I don't know how he is feeling about the whole thing, so for all I know I may be the only one hurting right now. I know I probably just need time to get over this, but things look pretty bleak right now. I had a wonderful time last night with Amanda and Mara, but the happiness was only temporary. I will keep updating on my progress in regards to my recovery from the whole debacle.

xx Brie

January 14

Try something new and exciting.


As far as something really different, my sister and I are are planning on trying horseback riding in the summer.  Neither of us are sporty or close to animals (though I have a chinchilla that I love) so it will be a really new experience.  In the meantime, I feel like I try different things all the time due to my 1001 blogs.  Just today, I was watching the 1936 Olympics, reading Rousseau, and listening to the Quicksilver Messenger Service.  I never would have been exposed to those things if it wasn't for my blogs.  I also tried to restaurants out in the city a lot.
AMANDA

I know I am updating this a day late. Last night, I spent the night at Amanda's house! It was so much fun! Today, I decided to see all of the movies on Roger Ebert's Introduction to Great Movies list. I am ashamed that I have only seen like five. Including Beauty and the Beast. When I go to restaurants, I always try something different. I am going to try to be more open to trying new things from now on.

xx Brie

January 13

Make a list of 10 rewards you could give yourself.


1. An hour of reading time
2. A movie
3. Time with friends
4. An episode of 24 (my current obsession)
5. Go out to eat
6. Bubble bath
7. Massage
8. A day off
9. Pajama day
10. Dessert
AMANDA

1. A really long shower
2. Spend a day in bed
3. Cheese (all kinds)
4. TV time
5. Spending time with friends
6. Get my nails done
7. Dark chocolate
8. Sugary drinks
9. Buy some fresh flowers
10. Take a day off to not do any work. At all.

xx Brie

January 12

Learn to say no or delegate the tasks that you abhor constantly doing.


Today I went out to lunch with my mom which was a lot of fun.  I also skipped a dentist appointment which was very freeing.  Tasks that I hate doing are things that need to be done that I (unfortunately) can't assign to someone else.  I still take breaks and occasionally blow things off (see above) so I am not too worried about it.
AMANDA

Unfortunately, I cannot just hand off my work to someone else. I definitely need to learn to say no. I promised someone recently I would help him with his work, and I don't regret helping him out at all, but what I thought would be a quick one hour work session turned into four hours. I didn't get any work done of my own that day. So, yeah, I would say that really got in the way of my own success. He was grateful that I helped him and everything, but it was just so much added stress on me that it almost wasn't worth it.

xx Brie

January 11

Make a list of qualities that are important to you.  Ask yourself if you are living up to them every day.


Qualities That Are Important To Me
1. Loyal
2. Romantic
3. Adventurous
4. Humorous
5. Brave
AMANDA

Qualities That Are Important To Me
1. Kind
2. Intelligent
3. Funny
4. Positive
5. Freewheelin'

xx Brie

January 10

Only hang around people that make you a better you.


So I don't have a whole lot of time today so I will try to make this quick.  I think that some people make you meaner.  Whether it is because the two of you always argue or because he/she is just mean to other people.  Cutting people out of life is awkward though.  I would recommend just remaining your charming selves (as I do:)) instead of giving the person the cold shoulder.  Otherwise, they are still making you mean!
AMANDA

I have already discussed the time I had a friend who made me meaner. I ended the relationship, because I started to become someone who I wasn't comfortable being. That is really good advice, Amanda! I was considering giving someone the cold shoulder, but I think I really just need to talk to him, now. I've never been one to play games. I just need to be honest. Easier said than done.

xx Brie

January 9

Decide on one baby step to do every day this week.


So I spent I really long time staring at this screen and trying to figure out what to write.  I don't have a persistently bad habit that needs to be taken one step at a time.  I guess I could try to drink more water but even that I am not too concerned about.  Sorry, I am so flippant; I am having a really good day and can't really think of anything that needs to be changed.
AMANDA 

I have such a huge work load this week. I could divide up my work, but there is just too much! I think I will make a check list for every day this week and try to complete all of the tasks. I have another little annoying habit that I would like to eliminate. I often mention how attractive I think other men are when I am around my boyfriend. He (my boyfriend) is so easy going and laid back that he doesn't mind in the slightest. In fact, he seems to think that it is kind of amusing that I get really excited every time I see a picture of Ewan McGregor or James Franco. Even though he doesn't mind, I am going to seriously cut back on how often I mention how appealing I find other men. We have been dating for a little over a month now, and I really, really like him. I just feel that if I kick this habit, it will show that I am interested in creating a serious relationship with him. I'm sure he would get annoyed at my habit down the road, anyways, and I think it shows more respect towards him. Side note: in no way does this mean that I get so crazy about these other attractive men that I embarass myself. I always do it in a classy, cute way.

xx Brie

Wow, that was a long post!

January 8

Write a dream down and look at it often.


First of all, I have to brag that I finished Moby Dick a couple of minutes ago.  Never going to that again.  Anyway, onto the assignment.


My dream is to travel constantly and experience life in the fullest way possible.

AMANDA

You go girl!!! Everyone, Amanda has conquered Moby Dick!!!!

Some of my dreams are to stay best friends with Mara and Amanda my whole life and live life with no regrets.

xx Brie

January 7

Look for tiny miracles.


The mere fact that any of us are alive right now is a miracle in itself.  When you think about the fact that we live in an universe that doesn't care if we live or die, it is incredible that we continue to function despite all the threats.  That is not to mention what we do to each other as well.  Today, I am going to try to be more grateful, not just about the big things but about the little things as well.
AMANDA

Today, I recieved amazing advice. My aunt/best friend told me about what helped give her clarity and a sense of peace during a difficult time in her life. She said to be glad that you are you. Someone treated her very badly and she began to think that something was wrong with her if someone would treat her that way. Then, she realized that no matter how bad things were, and no matter how bad she felt about herself, she was incredibly grateful that she was herself and no one else. I have been a bit confused about the way someone has treated me recently, and I have realized, thanks to my aunt's advice, that even if I might wonder about why the person did what he did, I am very glad I am me and not him. I wouldn't want to be someone who is oblivious and inconsiderate of other people's feelings. I like to think of myself as someone who is very in touch with how people are feeling around her and sensitive to others' feelings. So, I am glad I am me, not anyone else. That conversation with my aunt was the small miracle of today.

xx Brie

P.S. I hope I explained that well and didn't butcher her wonderful advice.

January 6

Resist one thing that is harmful to your body today.


I don't smoke or drink heavily so I guess this would be a food for me.  I skipped lunch today for a meeting (the guy cancelled and didn't tell me) so when I got home today, I ate an indecent amount of goat cheese pasta for lunch.  Goat cheese is relatively low calories so I am good there. I also drank one of those chemically delicious diet sodas.  So right now I really want to go and eat a brownie.  But I will resist.  That was fascinating story of today.  Maybe later I can enthrall you all with an account of the function of door stops.  Until then...
AMANDA
P.S.  I planned my day this morning but then the guy didn't show up for the meeting.  So...yeah...

I know I am updating a day late, but still, better late than never, right? Today, I resisted junk food for the most part. I just had a little bit, because I don't believe in depriving myself of anything. Yesterday, my day went basically as planned. I didn't have a lot going on, so not much could have gone wrong. Sorry this was so boring....

xx Brie

January 5

Tomorrow morning, go over how you want certain events in your day to turn out and how you can achieve those results.  Go over even the little details.  See what happens.


Right when I wake up, as I stumble to get caffeine and sit in misery over having to wake up so early is when I am going to do this.  I have an appointment at 11:30 tomorrow so I can go over that in my head.  My biggest problem is saying stupid things so I can try to plan what my  certain questions (somehow I sometimes make a response to question about the weather awkward).  I will report on what happens tomorrow.  Happy Friday Eve!
AMANDA

Every morning, I have a cup of coffee and watch CNN. I will go over how I want my day to go and set a few goals for myself. I will update tomorrow.

xx Brie

P.S. Sorry for such a short post, I am super tired! Plus, I think Amanda pretty much covered what I wanted to say.

January 4

There are no limits to this answer; you are Queen of the World.  Fill in the blank: I want and need ________________ in my life.


To travel and to love.  Wow, that was easy.
AMANDA
Comment your answers, please!

Nature, love and music.

xx Brie

January 3

Change your way of thinking into more positive thoughts.


So this message is extremely similar to yesterday's.  Since I just came back from a tiring trip to my sister's new apartment, I am going to refer you to January 2nd's post.  Cheers!
AMANDA

Yes, I agree that we addressed this yesterday. Instead, here are a few quotes about being positive.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." -Winston Churchill

"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes." - Mahatma Gandhi

"There are always flowers for those who want to see them." -Henri Matisse

xx Brie

January 2

Instead of stating your resolutions in a negative way, look at them from a positive perspective. For example, instead of 'I am fat, this year I am going on a diet to lose weight', try 'I am going to be healthier'.

Today's message is all about changing your perspective and way of thinking. Try repeating your resolution out loud like an affirmation. You might feel stupid at first, but you will eventually begin to believe it. Stating your resolution in a positive way will motivate you more, so you won't give up on it as easily. This year isn't the year to make another resolution that will be given up in a few weeks. Stick to it and your confidence will grow greatly in your abilities to succeed. Also, if you don't stick to your resolution completely, it is okay. Making resolutions is not about being perfect, it is about improving yourself.

xx Brie


I think changing your way of thinking is really important.  When I look back at some of the amazing things I have accomplished, I am extremely proud of myself.  Then I look at some goals that I continually abandon and it seems I can't commit to anything in my life.  Start looking at the positives and stop putting yourself down!
AMANDA

January 1

Start enjoying your life!  Say it out loud!


It is a new year!  Some of my New Year's resolutions are pretty outrageous but I am determined.  Here they are:
1. Get to 506 in albums
2. Finish the movie blog
3. Get to 150 in books
4. Go horseback riding
5. Find a fruit I like
6. Be able to do 20 push ups in a row on New Year's Eve
7. Quit bad habits
8. Have zero horrifically embarrassing moments
9. Have no surgeries
10. Get a new guy friend
AMANDA

I don't have as many as Amanda, but here are some of my resolutions:
1. Eat very healthily
2. Update the album blog every day
3. Finish my work by a reasonable hour, so I am not up till the wee hours stressing myself out
4. Do at least 20 minutes of yoga every day
5. Have a successful relationship
6. Spend more time with my friends
7. Read 50 books

xx Brie