Moments of Musing

10 Uplifting Phrases

Filed Under: positivity //

The news has been so grim lately. Mass shooting after mass shooting with no policy changes, racist rhetoric, division… it seems like the world is changing for the worse. Or perhaps people are now emboldened to show who they truly are. I’m not sure and I don’t know which is worse. I do know as an optimist, I find ways to counter negativity. It helps me to feel better. Today, I hope to help you if if you are feeling down for whatever reason by sharing 10 random uplifting phrases of mine:


  1. The sun always rises, signaling a beautiful new beginning day after day. 
  2. You are loved by someone somewhere. 
  3. Smiling makes you happier… so smile today. 
  4. Alone, I am strong. Together, we are stronger. 
  5. Love yourself; then you can truly love others. 
  6. Sunshine beams happiness, rain = coziness. 
  7. Listen to yourself—you know yourself better than anyone else. 
  8. Stop waiting. Start doing! There’s no better time than now. 
  9. You are uniquely you. 
  10. You are alive and that’s a wonderful gift.

Here’s the Thing About Mondays

Filed Under: monday motivation, mondays, positivity //

Monday, we meet again. 

Here’s the thing about Mondays: they’ll be here week after week because the weekend doesn’t last forever. You can either be upset the weekend’s over or happy you woke up to a brand new day and fresh start. The CHOICE is yours. 

I’m choosing happiness, cloudy day and all. I think if more of us did this — viewed Monday in a positive light– we wouldn’t be so sad to see the weekend go.

In case you need some motivation, here are my favorite Monday motivation posts:

Don’t count Mondays out

Happy Monday! (Yes, you read that correctly)

Because I’m an Optimist

Things that make me happy

Excited …on a Monday?!

Fall in love with your own journey

Life is too great not to appreciate every day. After all, Mondays can be merry, too.



Lessons from Abby

Filed Under: positivity, team abby //

My strong, beautiful and brave little cousin Abby became an angel last week after her nearly 1.5 year battle with cancer. Words do not suffice but she was such a fighter. 


Though It hurts like heck that she couldn’t stay here earth-side with us, she saw to it that her family and friends would receive a little bit of consolation by leaving us a series of letters … That in and of itself speaks to the big-hearted, caring and compassionate person she was. 

To give a little background about Abby, she was loved beyond measure and sweet as can be. She was an amazing person and writer. She was strong and boy, was she intelligent. Toward the tail end of her battle, she was able to find out that she’d received multiple college acceptances and full four-year scholarships. She embodied all that a good person should. 

That’s just a tidbit about our Abby. I could seriously go on and on about how much she reminded me of myself. Though she considered me a big sis and looked up to me, for the last 1.5 years I have looked up to her, and now, I forever will. 

In her honor, I’d like to share three of the most important life lessons Abby taught me:

1. Perspective is important.

“This is just like any other obstacle in life. It hurts and it’s hard. It has the power to break me but I won’t let it.“- Abby


Back in October 2016, I woke up to an ominous text from my brother in the middle of the night before my second or third day back to work after maternity leave. He spoke about visiting Abby in the emergency room … I texted and called to find out details. The possibility of the dreaded “C” word (cancer) was thrown out there. My heart stopped. My thoughts immediately shifted from being anxious over my first week back at work as a mom to concern for my little cousin’s health. I regretfully never told her (because I did not know how to) but she helped me with my transition back in a way I could never really articulate. I’d gone from having anxiety attacks over my return to feeling grateful that I had a baby and a job to go back to because my worry was now not about leaving my baby for work but rather whether my baby cousin did indeed have cancer and whether she would survive… She helped me then and will always help me now to keep things in perspective. 
2. Live life fully.

“Cancer sucks but I won’t let it get in the way of me living my life– if anything, it’s pushed me to do more.” – Abby

Abby did not stop living, not even when her life here on Earth was almost up. She made sure to travel as much as she could; had a boyfriend; went to Sweet 16s, concerts and the movies; continued going to school up until recently; wrote in her journals; and attended as many family gatherings as she could. She applied to colleges and was looking as forward to the experience as she could. She was her sweet and sassy self through and through. I will try my best to follow in her footsteps and remind myself to seize every opportunity, make the most of everyday, and love wholeheartedly. 

3. Smile everyday.

“I promise myself I’ll smile everyday.” – Abby

When Abby was first diagnosed with cancer, she promised herself she’d smile everyday. And that she did. She remained optimistic and not once did I hear her complain about what she was going through. She preferred to rock her shaved head with a smile and without a wig, and she was still the most beautiful ever, realizing that beauty wasn’t defined by our hair or other physical features but by our humanity. She laughed and smiled throughout it all… and now whenever I feel like I’m having a bad moment or day, I will remember to smile despite whatever it is that’s bothering me. 

Abby, thank you. For teaching me more in your 18 years than others have. For being proud of me. For being you. 

You will be loved and missed everyday, Abs. At last you are not suffering. 


5 Happiness Writing Prompts

Filed Under: happiness, positivity, writing prompts //

Life is emotional right now and my writing motivation is pretty nonexistent because of it.

I find myself feeling extreme emotions of happiness and sadness (I sort of touched on why here) but I am trying my best to channel my excitement and positive thoughts for S and to stay healthy (mentally and physically) for the remainder of my pregnancy.

If you, too, are dealing with writer’s block for whatever reason, I have something for you: Five Happiness Writing Prompts. My hope is these will help you channel your own happiness and spread it to your readers, too.


1. Happy Because …
     • Reasons (people, places and/or things) you are happy today

2. Spreading Happiness
     • Ways to make others happy — think acts of kindness

3. Favorite Happiness Quotes
     • Quotes that make you smile

4. How to Channel Happiness
     • How to let yourself feel happy despite whatever trials and tribulations you’ve experienced

5. Happiness is…
     • What happiness means to you and why

If you use any or these, let me know. I’d love to read your posts.

To be honest, I couldn’t get myself to write even when prompted but I hope you can. If you still don’t have the motivation to write either, then maybe just think about your responses to these prompts. Thinking happy thoughts helps.

xoxo