Focus On What We Have
I have switched to a low carb lifestyle (for health reasons). There are a lot of foods I can’t eat anymore.
And that is a bit sad.
But it is less sad when I focus on all the foods I can still eat and the new foods I’ve discovered due to this lifestyle change.
And those foods are plentiful. And delicious. And are sources of great joy.
(smiles)
If you’re also dealing with some changes in your life, try to do the same. Yes, mourn what has been lost. That’s part of being human. But also try to focus on what you have, on the joyous moments that remain.
Happiness is rare and wonderful. Revel in it.
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Boxing Day
December 26th is Boxing Day here in Canada.
For many, Boxing Day is a shopping day. Stores are clearing out holiday merchandise and there are often great sales.
In my family, it has traditionally been a stay at home and read day. We always receive books as gifts over the holidays and today is a day to enjoy them.
Which is exactly what I’ll be doing.
(smiles)
I plan to snuggle under the covers with the Dear Wonderful Hubby and read a new-to-me romance novel.
It will be glorious!
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Reach Out To Someone Today
I’m an extreme introvert. I could go months, happily, without seeing another person, other than the Dear Wonderful Hubby.
(smiles)
But even I will admit we all need some human interaction from time to time.
And one of the humans you love would love to hear from you.
Consider dropping them a short email. Or sending them a card via snail mail. Or, if you’re into that sort of thing (shudders), picking up the phone and calling them.
Tell them you’re thinking of them. And that you care.
Your heart will thank you for this!
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Slow The World For A Moment
The holiday season can be go-go-go.
Our to-do lists are long. Our days are jam packed with events. We want to do everything for everyone with everyone.
But stop for a moment every day.
Be still.
Be present. Completely.
Watch the lights twinkle. Close your eyes and listen to a favorite holiday song or a loved one’s purring (smiles). Inhale the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread. Try to detect each individual spice. Savor that piece of orange. Think of what a gift to your body that is.
This exact moment will never come around again.
Enjoy it.
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Slowing Down
My writing schedule has slowed. Significantly.
And I love this. I can relax more and embrace every word written. I have more time to think about the scene I’ll soon write. I can daydream about the story and devote more time to the small details.
It is glorious.
In today’s world, we’re encouraged to rush, rush, rush. Rush through meals. Rush through the morning shower. Sleep less. Drive faster. Take the shortest routes.
This can be great. Especially if it allows us to spend more time with our loved ones or our dreams.
But slowing down can also be wonderful. Sitting around the table with our loved ones (human, furry or other), enjoying a meal, chatting can be magical. Taking a longer route can be an adventure. A longer shower can be a source of inspiration. Sleep…well…sleep is lovely. (smiles)
It is okay to slow down.
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Comfort Foods
It is Fall/Autumn in my corner of the universe.
I often associate this time of year with comfort foods. My favorite comfort foods are dishes or drinks like chicken noodle soup, hot chocolate, pumpkin pie, roasted squash/courgette. They are warm and flavorful and are the food equivalent of a hug.
(smiles)
What are your favorite comfort foods?
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Compliment Yourself Today
When I’m looking for an easy and quick way to spread joy, I will often compliment a stranger. I will tell a stressed-out young mom that I love her blouse. I will tell a grumpy old guy that he has a great hat. I will tell a cashier at the grocery store that she’s doing an amazing job.
This never fails to make people a little bit happier.
And if it gives other people joy, think of how it will make YOU feel.
Look in the mirror and tell yourself you’re going a good job. You got through the day and that’s truly the only task that matters. Tell yourself you’re strong. Tell yourself you have a beautiful heart. Tell yourself you are loved.
Because you are all of those things. And you deserve to hear that!
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Dollar Store Books And Giving Back
The Dear Wonderful Hubby purchased a bunch of children’s books at a nearby Dollar Store and I’ve been restocking the neighborhood Little Free Library with them.
You might be thinking,
‘The books cost $1. People can buy those books for themselves.’
First thing, the Dollar Store is now the One Dollar And Twenty-Five Cents Store.
(grins)
Inflation is a kicker.
And, when I was a kid, my Awesome Mom couldn’t spare $1 for awesome things like books. We didn’t always eat. That $1 was much needed for food and other life essentials.
So yes, Dollar Store books freely given to people DO make a difference. They’ll give people joy.
And isn’t it amazing that we can make others happy with $1.25?
(smiles)
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There Will Always Be Joy
I know that life can be tough right now. All might seem bleak. And we worry about the future.
But know there will always be joy. There will always be love. There will always be laughter.
I know this for certain because I grew up in a hostile environment. My dad was a monster. We never knew if we’d survive an interaction with him. We were dirt poor. Some days, we didn’t eat. We didn’t have running water. The bathroom was an outhouse or, sometimes, a hole in the ground. The winters were long and cold.
But stars, we had some laughs. (smiles) We would swim in the storm-water-filled ditches, rolling in the mud. We would tell very bad jokes. We would bump shoulders and smack backs and lovingly call each other silly names. We had fun.
And you and I will have fun in the future.
That is a certainty, my friend.
(big hugs)
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Hoard Moments Of Happiness
(This is a stock photo of a hound dog. The hound dog in our neighborhood has a LOT of gray on his cute little face. And many more wrinkles.)
The world is a tire fire. Every dang day, we wake to something else going wrong (often done deliberately by the rich and powerful). People, animals, insects, plants, the planet are suffering.
It feels…bad to be happy.
But moments of happiness are more important than ever right now. Those precious slivers of joy feed our souls. They strengthen us.
They lead to hope. Without hope, our situations become…well…hopeless.
And hope is essential for change, for making the world a better place, for more happiness.
So retreat into a beloved romance novel and find happiness along with those characters. Smile when the elderly hound dog in the neighborhood howls, defending his human against a fallen tree branch. Laugh at VERY bad jokes. Revel in a warm hug.
Embrace joy. And refill your soul!
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