happiness

I live in Colombia- which if you haven't heard, is the happiest country in the world. I think this is a good theme for 2013- creating happiness. My life just keeps getting better, and I am so enjoying living and learning in this beautiful country. Although living abroad definitely has it's challenges, especially when I am learning the language, and let's be honest, the ups and downs are the most extreme of my life, sometimes I feel really grown up here, in a serious way- but all that being said: overall I am happier here than I think I've ever been in my life. If I wasn't, I would be moving home, right?

Here are some pictures & ideas of happiness that I have found here in the past 2 weeks. A new goal: share and create happiness in the world. Cliché? Yes! Oh well. <3


<MY CURRENT INSPIRATION>
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. 
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. 
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” 
― Mother Teresa

“The only way to find true happiness is to risk being completely cut open.” 
― Chuck Palahniuk, Invisible Monsters

“It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.” 
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

<SLIDESHOW>
21 REASONS WHY COLOMBIA'S PEOPLE ARE THE HAPPIEST IN THE WORLD. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/17/reasons-colombia-happiest-country_n_2490813.html?utm_hp_ref=latino-voices#slide=1992308

<FOTOS FROM JAN.>
top to bottom: parque chingaza- 1 hr. from bogotá (5.5 hr. hike that was entirely spectacular) * jump! on the hike * laughter on a rock with friends * 27 candles and mediterranean food * lovely amigos tom & leah  * friend olga * friends @ birthday * shakespeare reminder * amateur bouldering break on hike in chingaza