To be happy is something people think they know about, but have no clue where to start when it comes to the subject in truth. Happiness to most is temporary satisfaction of the ego. To crave a gallon of ice cream then regret it later. To buy that Benz and pay $700/mo in car payments, $200 in gas, $350 in insurance and be broke come rent time, but you got that Benz tho. But what is happiness when you have nothing? When you need nothing? What does all of that mean? Some of these may sound cliche, but I could not agree with them more. These photos are of me last year before I even knew handstands were a yoga practice, or that yogis weren't crazy vegans that never took showers. Yet, somehow with my racing crazy all over the place mind and busy, stressful schedule and negative people around me 24/7, money problems and etc., I still maintained a happy, loving life and positive outlook on everything. And this is how:
YES! SMILE, LAUGH, and PLAY damn it! People take life way to serious sometimes. Smiling is statistically proven to brighten your mood any time of the day during any situation. If you don't want to smile, remember it is a choice YOU have made. No one is forcing you to frown with a permanent case of Bitchface all day. And of course with smiling, you have to laugh. Laughing improves your immune system along with releasing dopamine endorphins in the brain to stimulate that "Happy Feeling"! :D Its also contagious (and an amazing ab workout, I must say). Laugh whenever you can, smile, and of course, PLAYYYY! Drop the phone, the pen, and the Valentino blazer and go put on your hooker heels for once. They're collecting dust for Christ sake! Take those puppy's out and hit the town with the gals for a night out. You have no idea what that does for a woman. Surround yourself with positive, loving, smart and driven individuals always. It will rub off! I promise. As for a man, pay attention to those who want your attention the most. Its good to provide and work a lot, but you also need to drop the business suit and spend some time in sweats and baking lasagna and fucking up dessert with old girl. (We love that shit.) Fun times are the ones that when remembered and told about later in life, you laugh, and SMILE about your play time! Its healthy and it will create the happiest of times. So do it!
Who in the world would want to be someone else? What would happen, if you were given a day to be anyone in the world you wanted to be, then realized how absolutely fucked up and horrible their life really was behind closed doors? Wouldn't you be thankful for yours? The fact that they had you fooled is even more sad. Because now, they're living a lie and have YOU feeling like you don't even want to be you. So fuck what other people look like they have, YOU have the power to make it happen for yourself. And you don't have to wait till New Years to start either! (Ahem *EXCUSES* Ahem) You can start right now. Right after this sentence, you hold the power you have for a week, a year, the full 21 years (or however young you are) you've been alive to change your life and make your own choices. You have a soul, a heart, and whether some of you think about this or not, there are people that love you. Love you a lot actually. And care about whether you're happy. If theres no one that you can think of that feels this way, what about you? Do you care? Do you love you? That should be all that matters. What YOU think about you. No one can fully love you for you, if you can't love yourself. So a new beginning starts here. Right now. Be you...
To dance is seriously liberating. And I'm not talking about droppin it low and clapping your ass cheeks. Im talking about Risky Business, Bring it On, alone in your house or with your friends dancing like monkeys all around all over the place not giving a fuck just for fun kind of dancing. This could apply to men too, obviously. Some of the funniest, outgoing, and happy male figures in my life could bust out a retarded white boy move with confidence and no one would judge them for it. Its a sign of embracing your personality and not caring who's watching you. Its a form of your souls fullest expression! Dance is the physical expression of your soul. If you don't dance or move you are missing out on the best part of your own existence. To kiss or make love is a pure form of dance as well. Its the right rhythm and speed that makes the most beautiful connection with your significant other. Its the same when you do that with yourself. Feel free, be silly, feel your body move and exercise, and just let go, dude. Like really, who cares? If you don't, I don't!
Why would you eat shitty if you love yourself?! That is just absurd. I get it now more that ever, but this is a huge problem for most people I know. McDonalds, Burger King, Jack in the Crack, Del Taco, etc. With media coverage and such now a days, there is not excuse for why you should not know how bad these fast foods are for you. Yet, theres no way you can tell me while I keep a straight face that you love and respect your body, but will still eat these foods. If you're a spiritual person, you know about energies. Food, always, like anything and everything else in the universe carries energy. And its not love and light, my friend. Treat yourself to natural foods that are alive and your body can thrive on. Not processed, fake, fried, artificial food like products. Love the inside of you too!
Last but not least, embracing your body. Its just mandatory. Iv always had something I didn't like about myself... Whether it be my stomach, thighs, belly button, stretch marks, my normal and not so toned butt, small boobs, overbite, dark circles under my eyes that are hereditary, my bunions, and so much more. There came a time recently where I stopped, and for once looked in the mirror and was happy with everything I saw because I chose to see myself that way. I dropped my walls, my self judgments, and all in one breath it was gone like that. I am me, and theres nothing I can do other than my best of being me. And I am fine with that.
If you are the kind of individual that beats yourself up over simple and uncontrollable things, over thinks situations you have no pull in, or just flips out over OTHER peoples business thats actually non of your business, this is what I suggest. Focus on you, the now, and get out of your head. Easier said than done, but try thinking of stillness. Think of what needs to happen at this very moment and what could I do to make things better. The answer will always come to you, you just have to ask.
Now that you've read my 5 ways of how to be happy no matter what, you have to be happy no matter what now! So I better see everyone smiling, laughing, playing and loving themselves :)
Happy Art Basel Weekend, Miami!
Chey xo
All clothing and photos provided by Honeysucker Apparel in Los Angeles, CA 2013