I kind of can’t believe it’s been almost a whole month since I blogged about trying to be Superwoman and crying over desserts. I can honestly say I’ve made no effort what-so-ever in the past month to be Superwoman, nor have I recently cried over dessert. Although, I DID make a delicious low-fat cake last night – pshhh who needs cupcakes anyway? (Kidding – I need cupcakes … lots of cupcakes…). I digress. =)

So, I’ve spent the past month focusing on one thing: ME. Damn, I have to say, it feels pretty good to be selfish sometimes. I can’t even lie about it. I’ve been eating healthier (down 7 lbs!!), I’m getting my running back (just got some new running shoes this weekend), and overall, I'm feeling focused and good.

Close to the time of my dessert mini meltdown, my friend, Mike, recommended to me that I read this book called, "Happy," by Ian K. Smith. And as much as I really hate reading books, I decided to dive in, take his advice, and read about Ian's "simple steps to get the most out of life." Self-help, FTW, right? =) I have to say, I didn't have this "aha moment" when I read this book. But it was definitely full of things I truly feel we all know but sometimes just forget. Things like slowing down and taking in every moment, things like not giving up on your dreams, things like showing gratitude, and so on and so forth.

I will say that this book was a perfect way to step outside of my own shoes and my own situation to take a look at someone else's perspective of trying to achieve the goal we all seem to be trying to achieve: happiness. I made note of some of my favorite quotes from the book that I've been living and breathing by for the past few weeks and I wanted to share.

"You must first have hope and the optimistic belief that something will change for the better either through your own directed actions or through circumstances that you can't control."

"Happiness means going for it. Get off the sidelines and get into the game. Life is not a spectator sport. Too many of us are content with the status quo, preferring the comfort of what we know rather than the challenge of discovering the unknown. The happiest people are those with the fewest regrets. It is not because they have succeeded in everything they've tried; rather, they're happier because they at least put forth the effort - win or lose - and tried to make their thoughts and dreams a reality."

"It is easy for us to get lost in the routine of doing what we need to do to get by. But if we don't draw a line at some point and become determined that our life passions are no longer going to take a back seat, then we can easily spend the rest of our life engaged in routine, unfulfilling activities."

When I left work precisely 59 minutes ago, I will tell you I wasn't a happy camper. Bogged down in frustrating, back-to-back meetings all afternoon and a 3 page to-do list left me feeling overwhelmed and wanting to curl up in a little ball. But I made it through - and tomorrow is a new day, right?

One month later and I still don't know what I want or where I'm going next. But I do know and believe in two things:

One. Happiness exists because you create it and more importantly because you let it. As Ian said, "too many dark clouds can block the most beautiful sunsets." But I believe that's only true if you let it.

Two. There is a time and place for everything- careers, friends, love, and whatever else. My bliss is somewhere out there. YOUR bliss is somewhere out there. I have absolutely no idea what it is or when it's going to show me its pretty face, but I know somehow, someday, it will. It has to.

So, until then, I'm going to head over to my kitchen, eat some of the delicious chocolate cake I made last night, put on The Hills & The City, and just keep going.