Spreading the Happiness Virus

Research shows that writing down just five things every day that you are grateful for can lead to a healthier mental state. A website called ButterBeeHappy.com makes this easier than ever. There are tools on the website such as Honeycomb, which looks for postings from people who share happy thoughts similar to yours. It can reinforce your own good feelings. There is also a blog with the latest news in happiness research. It's all free!

This from the Butterbeehappy site:

"Positive emotions and psychology help people thrive. In life there are many factors that can get people down, such as the economy. However, psychological research shows that economic factors are a poor predictor of overall happiness. Can you guess what is a good predictor of happiness? That's right, gratitude. When you jott down your 5 happy thoughts each day you are really practicing being grateful, and are thus appreciating your life to its full extent. "

I have been keeping a gratitude journal for several years now. In the past few months I've gotten kind of lazy about recording my five things. This will inspire me to get back into the habit.

Do any of you keep a gratitude journal?

Celebrate You!

In the January issue of Redbook magazine (redbookmag.com) Anna Davies writes about ways to celebrate yourself. If you watch little children, they do it all the time. They want everyone to notice their specialness and what they can accomplish. We as adults, don't do that often enough.

I once went to confession and the priest I met with said, "you take care of your students, your children, your husband--who is taking care of you?" Those words really made me think. It's easy to wind up putting yourself last. Ms. Davies has some good "Yay,me" ideas...here are just a few of my favorites.

*Write down three favorite traits about yourself to pull out whenever you need a little pick-me-up.

*Keep a wish list of dreams both big and small. You can post it to listography.com.

*Start a weekly ritual of pampering yourself.

*Change your desktop screensaver to a photo of a place you've always wanted to go.

*Read an inspiring blog.

*Look through your closet and ditch five things that don't fit or flatter you. Donate them to Goodwill. You'll gain some more closet space and do something good for others.

*Get a free make-over at one of the make-up counters at the mall.

What are some ways you celebrate yourself? I definitely need to go through my closet! I also like the idea of keeping that wish list. Yay, me!

Two Websites You Shouldn't Miss!

When I visited this site: http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html I just had to pause a minute and reflect. You've got to see this fellow--he is amazing. I guarantee it will move you.

On another note, if you go to www.lifeorganizers.com, you will get a month's worth of tips to organize your life and home during the month of January. (one for each day) Very basic, simple to do ideas that will make a difference. I guess we could all use a little more organization. I really am trying to clean up the clutter in my workroom!!

Quotes for the New Year

Here are some interesting quotes from some interesting people...

"Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right." Oprah

"Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world." Ann Landers

"I will seek elegance rather than luxury, refinement rather than fashion. I will seek to be worthy more than respectable, wealthy and not rich. I will study hard, think quietly, talk gently, and act frankly. I will listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with an open heart. I will bear all things cheerfully, do all things bravely await occasions and hurry never. In a word I will let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common."
William Ellery Channing

I really like the last one. I think if I could attain all of the goals, life would be just about perfect!
Do you have any great quotes for us to start off the New Year?

Snail Mail Valentines for a Good Cause

I was over at fredflare.com/blog reading about their super fun Valentine idea. They are asking folks to make a valentine and send it to them. They are going to sell the cards and donate the proceeds to Elder Craftsmen,an organization based in NYC that brings craft workshops to local senior citizens. (I wish we had something local like this but since we don't, I'm sending my valentine to them.)

Here are the details...(more info at fredflare)

1) MAKE A VALENTINE You can make it out of anything… Construction paper, collage, paint, crayon, a print of a photo you took, write a poem, make a mix tape, whatever ya feel like! Just make it fun and from the heart and easy to send. Be sure to include a matching envelope. Have fun with that also!
2) SEND YOUR VALENTINE + ENVELOPE TO FF BEFORE JAN 15TH Ya can just pop both in another envelope and send it regular mail to SNAIL MAIL VALENTINES c/o fredflare.com, 300F Kingsland Av, Brooklyn NY 11222. Hurry! Your valentine MUST be postmarked no later than Thurs, Jan 15th to participate. That’s only 10 days away. DON’T flake on me, peeps!
3) YOUR VALENTINE WILL DEBUT ON FF THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY All valentines will be sold online and in our new Brooklyn store for the super friendly price of ONLY $4 EACH and ALL the proceeds from the sales of these valentines will go directly to Elder Craftsmen!

Doesn't this sound like fun! Won't you join me in using your crafty skills for a good cause?!?!