"So how much money do you get for doing it?" my dear husband asks. Typical! He's completely missed the whole point. Money doesn't bring you happiness, what I've gained from doing NaBloPoMo is much more worthwhile:
- The satisfaction of achieving a goal I set myself
- Discovering some great new blogs and bloggers
- Receiving support and encouragement and some really insightful comments
- I've discovered that even when I don't feel like it, I can always pull something out of the bag
- You don't always have to write reams to make a point
- It's helped me to reflect on and share experiences in my life
- It's given me a good grounding for creating a book
I've shared many personal events in a hope that by revealing my experiences it will help others gain some insight into how I feel. I hope that some have been interesting and useful and if nothing else have helped you to reflect on your own life and how you react to things.
I don't consider myself to be the font of all knowledge, I don't have all the answers, but I have come to a point in my life where I can say I'm happy in my own skin. I'm generally happy, contented and grateful for the life I have. It hasn't always been that way and I've gone through many hardships to get here and I know there will be more to come, but right here, right now I'm happy. I hope that when those difficult times come again (as they surely will), I can look back over these posts and find strength in the fact that I know the there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you all so much for your lovely comments. It's been invaluable to have feedback and reactions to my words - I have learnt so much from you all. Particular thanks to Sarah Mac and Midlife Singlemum who have cheered me on with daily comments. And let's not forget NLP Mum my thanks to her for starting the Facebook page and keeping us all motivated. I'll miss you all and hope you'll stop by from time to time to see what I'm rambling on about and I promise to stop by and say hi on your blogs too.
I'm planning on expanding the posts and adding further examples, taking into account your comments and to make the series into an E book. I even intended to do NaNoWriMo and write a 50,000 word book in November - but that was just a step to far this month! I know I'm mad, but I'm not completely mad and I came to my senses before I had a nervous breakdown! I will do it, but I want to give it the time it needs, which is something I've had precious little of this month.
I'd like to leave you with a final message on our quest for happiness and contentment and that is you have to realise that nothing and noone can make you happy and content. Back during Step 22 - Enjoy the moment, I had a comment from mauishopgirl where she said happiness 'lies within ourselves, our outlook and our acceptance'. If you're still searching for happiness and contentment, you're looking in the wrong place. You are the master, you hold the key - happiness and contentment come from within.
One final request. I'd like to pick out my best post of the month as I often join the Happy Homemaker with her Post of the Month linky, but I'm really struggling to choose one, so I'd like to ask you all which one of the following you would single out as the best?
Now I'm off to have a large glass of celebratory wine and propose a toast to all my fellow #NaBloPoMo bloggers wherever you may be (I can start an hour before you lot in the UK because we're an hour ahead in France). Congratulations, we've done it!!!!
Step 30 - The Key to Happiness and Contentment
Step 29 -You are the master of your own destiny
Step 28 - Don't give up on a good relationship
Step 27 - Don't Judge , Live and let live
Step 26 - Don't Worry, by happy
Step 25 - Never give up
Step 24 - Get by with a little help from your friends
Step 23 - Go with the Flow
Step 22 - Enjoy the moment
Step 21 - Love what you do
Step 20 - Forgive and Forget
Step 19 - Unconditional giving
Step 18 - Smile and the world smiles with you
Step 17 - Work to live, don't live to work
Step 16 - Surround yourself with Positive People
Step 15 - Always look on the bright side of life
Step 14 - Where there's a will there's a way
Step 13 - Silence is Golden
Step 12 - Feed your Soul
Step 11 - Follow your Dreams
Step 10 - Use your time wisely
Step 9 - Don't be too hard on yourself
Step 8 - Consider what you value most
Step 7 - Find time for Yourself
Step 6 - Make time for Family and Friends
Step 5 - Don't take yourself too Seriously
Step 4 - Feel the Fear and do it Anyway
Step 3 - Love what you Hate
Step 2 - There's no such word as CAN''T
Step 1 - Find the Best in Every Day
Well done on a fantastic set of posts, although I've not commented much (or maybe at all - oops) I've been reading each one and they have been very well timed for me.
ReplyDeleteIt's been the best #NaBloPoMo I've read, the only one I've seen that was themed and well thought out.
Absolutely LOVED every one of your posts Nikki and I'm with Emma - it's the best NaBloPoMo I've seen too.
ReplyDeleteJust realised that I haven't actually been following you as your posts have popped up on Fiona's FB so I'll remedy that now :)
Hooray! You've done it! In answer to your question, my favourite post was Go with the flow. And for today's topic, many years ago a wise woman said to me - you have to be responsible for your own happiness. This is, in essence, what you have been saying too. I totally agree and thank you for reminding me. Have a relaxing December, Rachel xxx .
ReplyDeleteps thanks for the lovely mention, it was a pleasure. :)
Well done you! I've really enjoyed your posts and you have had some very wise words that I will do my best to take note of. My favourite was Step 28 but purely because it personally spoke to me and made a lot of sense of how I feel right now. Hope your December is more relaxing and you get to enjoy Christmas. I now need to go back and read all your posts that I didn't get round to reading :)
ReplyDeleteTruly inspirational.
ReplyDeleteI feel completely exhausted reading the trials and tribulations you have been through.
I feel like a failure compared to you!!
Awww thanks Emma and Sarah, much appreciated :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel, I'm looking forward to a few days off, but will be back onto soon - have quite a few blogs bubbling in the background (and the they're nothing to do with Steps to Happiness and Contentment!)
Thanks Rollercoaster Mum, everyone has given me a different Favourite!
Oh dear Anonymous, I don't want to make anyone feel a failure :( Glad you found it inspirational though :)
I've loved your posts too Nikki. Great idea to theme them and one I might nick for next time (if that's ok and if I'm still thinking it's a good idea on the 31st October 2012!). I love this last post - I suppose I equate the "you find happiness within" to "you have a choice in how you feel about anything" for me they are very similar.... though definitely not the same.... Well done, you've inspired many of us and made it through the month too ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Fiona, yes of course you can use my idea -it's not copyrighted ;) Yes I suppose they are similar ways of saying the same thing. Happiness is very much down to the way we choose to react to things. One person can seem to have everything on the outside, but still be unhappy on the inside and another can seem to have nothing and yet by happy with their lot. It all boils down to how cwe hoose to feel about our situation in life. It seems so simple, but can be quite difficult to grasp and achieve at times, otherwise we'd all be happy, and what a better place the world would be :)
ReplyDeleteHey Nikki! I've nominated you for a little blogger award. You can "pick" up your award over at my page! Have a great evening!!
ReplyDelete