tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85185269834960422002012-01-15T10:50:51.638-05:00a life methodMichihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02430338353437967043noreply@blogger.comBlogger231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-52686972090090288972011-09-01T14:35:00.007-04:002011-09-02T11:27:10.077-04:00

Over the past 24 hours I realized a much better way to overcome a bad habit or other sort of weakness. This can work for things like procrastination, messiness, habitual lateness, disorganization, and various temptations like facebooking all the time. Perhaps you've heard stories of some OCD-type whose kitchen is meticulously organized. All the tupperware is sorted by size and shape immediately

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-20802836146122543182011-04-26T08:36:00.000-04:002011-04-26T08:36:03.876-04:00

You're your own CEO. But you're not the world's micromanager. You get to pick your responses to what goes on around you, to the weather, to news from your family, to how poorly your waiter delivered upon your order. You don't HAVE to hate blustry, rainy days, after all! I like to find people who enjoy things I don't like. The kid who enjoys that blustry, rainy day is on to something! She has no

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-71260817375933510442011-03-10T11:04:00.000-05:002011-03-10T11:04:08.538-05:00

So many people list as a hobby "listening to music". Me too! But how often do we really do it? I mean, yeah, there's music on in the background almost wherever I go, even at the law office. It's nice most of the time, and I find it pleasant. But I wouldn't say that this qualifies as "listening to music". When is the last time you found yourself doing just that, and nothing else? Just sitting

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-35235201858517836352011-02-28T21:59:00.004-05:002011-03-10T10:44:41.875-05:00

Lately I've been noticing more how people assume that I'm unhappy in my situation. Not because I seem miserable (I hope!) but because apparently the default is that certain activities must be unpleasant. "Brussels sprouts?! Oh that sounds like an awful breakfast your bf made you!" Nothing really must be unpleasant! And I'd like to think I've come some distance toward being able to do more

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-31368539414759727162011-02-10T23:09:00.000-05:002011-02-10T23:09:34.650-05:00

With some frequency I hear, "Why would you want to be happy all the time? That'd be boring." As if! Let's go romp in the woods! When people ask what I want to do with my life, I often say that I have a goal of long-term happiness. Then without fail, unless the other person has explored some eastern concepts (like Buddhism or yoga), I will be informed that this is a silly goal because

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-8785004869580903562011-01-28T16:40:00.000-05:002011-01-28T16:40:37.383-05:00

They don't "follow" rules here. It's rather comofrting. My new haircut, Katy's new haircut A week ago I put about everything I own into my car and moved up to Rhode Island, from North Carolina, stopping overnight in New Jersey at the delightful home of darling friend Katy. Now I'm sitting at the kitchen table of my new home, with my new flatmate, in a new city, a new state, with a new bank,

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-47651257879156192222011-01-26T10:54:00.001-05:002011-01-26T11:02:51.675-05:00

A friend recently suggested I submit something to 1000AwesomeThings.com. Even stinging cuts can be awesome. I really like Neil. I saw his TED Talks video and found I really agree with his philosophy and was touched by his story.

 But something about the website/concept doesn't sit that well with me. Some of the things are sort of selfish. Virtually all of them involve gratification. 

What

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-84175864770522124922011-01-01T18:31:00.002-05:002011-01-01T18:40:16.637-05:00

Maybe you have resolved to start, stop, or alter a habit in 2011. Sometimes it's stopping a habit that is the hardest, but if you can narrow down the exact moments when action is critical, the whole process is much easier. (You can modify these steps to form a new habit, too.) NOTE: If you are dealing with a habit that involves addictive or illegal substances, or anything with physical

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-3070902116799419052010-11-23T21:34:00.001-05:002010-11-24T10:29:50.636-05:00

We label ourselves a lot. I say the less, the better. Labels are a way of having expectations for ourselves. "I'm the music guy," we say to ourselves. "I'm someone who dislikes carrot cake." "I'm bad at learning math." Well, what's really the point of having these phrases and labels? Do they foster your identity -- locking you into a position you may later regret? Do they make you feel special?

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-36428024426802771322010-11-19T14:09:00.001-05:002011-01-19T13:34:21.275-05:00

People all want to fit in, want to be respected and loved by the world for who they are, accepted. It feels great to be part of a community, to work together towards a common goal and participate alongside others. I like to think of it as us all being individual cells in a common, larger body -- I'm sure other people have found similar metaphors. Except maybe it's not even a metaphor at all, but

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-32153677940673990472010-11-15T20:56:00.002-05:002011-01-01T23:17:36.402-05:00

Have you heard of Rosey Grier? No? Don't google him; I've made a fact sheet with all you really need to know:

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-48361249642735951632010-10-31T13:49:00.001-04:002010-11-19T13:38:09.231-05:00

Two nights ago was the law school's Hallowe'en party, and last night's was for the Nicholas School of the Environment. Let's compare a bit. Law: Set at a proper club with legitimate bouncers, people checking IDs at the door, multiple bartenders, excellent sound system. Nic: Set in a forest maintenance shed off a gravel road off a little-used long driveway, some chick taking tickets/cash on the

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-13023496076083499082010-09-25T18:52:00.001-04:002010-11-19T13:36:11.808-05:00

An earlier internet influence/happiness guru of mine, the fabulous Davey Wavey, writes about finding beauty in every moment, every activity, every view his eyes take in. Even things like disabused garbage cans and cloudy, thirsty Sunday afternoons. (Davey also talks about loving everyone -- most importantly yourself, being in the moment, and gay rights. Check him out!) My drive to school is

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-75593486842236560542010-08-26T19:10:00.000-04:002010-08-26T19:17:51.731-04:00

Here's a progress report. I made it through the first two days ok... though I fell alseep both times. I'd decided to start with a 5-minute mindfulness session first, to warm up, and then go for happiness.It was fine, I suppose, but I wasn't as dedicated as I hoped. I had no routine, being in law school orientation and newly moved in, etc.Then a whole week passed during which I felt guilty about

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-5265075048191616832010-08-26T19:06:00.000-04:002010-08-26T19:08:50.873-04:00

Yesterday at Duke's Convocation (read: free booze party), a friend who couldn't make the big party last week wished me happy birthday, and proclaimed that this entire week is still to be considered my birthday.This might be the longest bday fest yet! Looking at 23 days if we count her proclamation!

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-42216382991931809412010-08-14T12:38:00.001-04:002010-08-26T19:10:14.694-04:00

A year or two ago I realized that I had actually figured out how to be happy. Like, how to go from blasé or even just plain grumpy to a place of downright satisfaction.The answer, of course, is not through some sort of temporary cravings appeasement or gratification.The thing is, I only rarely get around to making myself happy like this! Sort of dumb, really. So I'm going to do an experiment,

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-57687308462102565462010-08-13T00:34:00.000-04:002010-08-26T19:10:03.654-04:00

Well, dear faithful blog reader(s), let's continue our story. I'm typing this on the road, having driven about 10 of the 16 wheelhours required to move to Duke University for my last semester of law school!Actually, let me tell you about where I'm staying tonight, because it's pretty awesome. I don't mind long solitary car trips that much at all, except that sometimes I get stiff sitting in more

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-79050747912177758852010-08-10T18:55:00.000-04:002010-08-26T19:09:24.970-04:00

If you're following my twitter, you've been flooded with self-congratulating tweets about all the awesomeness I've been experiencing for my birthday already. My actual bday isn't until the 14th (MARK YOUR CAL NOW, I'LL WAIT, GO DO IT) but as I learned in Australia, it's important to drag these things out from a one-day holiday into a multi-week festival.Travelling a lot makes this pretty easy.And

michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481881032966438015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-42457163570963413172010-07-18T11:18:00.000-04:002010-07-18T11:18:51.842-04:00

A pair of flights will in a few hours deliver me unto Durham, NC, where I will for one week attend a "law preview" camp. Two months prior I was sent a textbook to read in preparation -- only a third has been consumed, due in part to finishing my last Australian semester. Pressure builds, my unpreparedness a burden on my piece of mind. Classes run from as early as 7:30 straight through to 5pm,

Michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02430338353437967043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-68400160959909493092010-07-17T16:08:00.000-04:002010-07-17T21:18:10.253-04:00

My 28th birthday is fast approaching and I'm feeling exceptionally wise today as a result, so it's time to note down a whole bunch of things I've learned so far. Each of these points was forced upon me (though many were originally penned by others) after intense dismay, discomfort, and dissatisfaction. We only really learn when we're made uncomfortable, after all. Actually, that's a great way

Michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02430338353437967043noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-29328068252051622042010-07-12T09:19:00.000-04:002010-07-12T09:19:09.574-04:00

My parents have a really beautiful house here. Outside of the study/office, where stray papers litter the glass-covered mahogany desk, and the bedrooms upstairs, where my brother's and my visiting possessions resemble an exploded fashion boutique, the place looks like a display home. Everything matches. Everything is orderly. Clean. Serene. Lush. Outside on the back deck elegant patio furniture

Michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02430338353437967043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-28652738456694688832010-07-06T16:34:00.000-04:002010-07-06T16:34:35.615-04:00

Coconut m&m's: tasty proof of America's dominance in the global fat-producing market. Personally I fail to find myself physically attracted to the green m&m, despite her white go-go boots and sassy long-lashed eyes. Good thing sex appeal is not the main part of Mars, Incorporated's advertisement campaign. In other news I'm now on a waiting list for the iPhone. Hopefully tomorrow it'll come in,

Michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02430338353437967043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518526983496042200.post-74997536893673147782010-07-05T11:33:00.000-04:002010-07-05T11:33:11.245-04:00

I'm getting my own blog rolling, maybe i will have a blogroll later as well! A few days ago I flew back to the US, moving back here for "good", though really who knows where I'll be a few years from now -- or even a few days! Whatever. I don't really mind what happens. Or as I told Aussie mate RH, "I'm interested, but I just don't care." I'm going to get an iPhone, a new one, hopefully today.

Michihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02430338353437967043noreply@blogger.com0