Happiness in a swan song

Today I heard (courtesy of the music radio website Pandora) the song Standchen (Swan Song) by Franz Schubert. I felt compelled to share this clip because for whatever reason listening to it gives me pause to think of many of the good things that have happened in my life and how good life is. Plus, I like the fact that the song's name is "Swan Song" because swans grow into even more beautiful creatures as they get older. With those things in mind I know that whatever comes my way in life, I'll find a way to get through it and grow from it! This song also makes me want to spread the idea that people can get through so much and accomplish so much. Maybe those accomplishments don't include pieces of music, but I think just having the ability to live a good life and having good things come of it is just as much of an achievement. I think that's part of what makes me want to cheer people on and encourage them. So consider this post and this song a cheer for you!

Happiness according to Franklin Roosevelt

"Happiness is in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort." -Franklin D. Roosevelt

I find that I'm happiest when I'm doing something and being creative.  So I hope your life is full of loads of creative days and as much happiness as possible!

P.S. -I do realize the song "Happy" and Minions have nothing to do with FDR, I included them in this post because 1-I wanted to, 2-I can, and 3- they make me feel HAPPY!

My favorite Shakespeare quotes

Historians think that Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet was first performed today in 1595. I always liked Shakespeare's plays. I may not have understood everything about them but I do like them nonetheless. In that spirit I thought I'd share some of my favorite Shakespeare quotes

• "I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest." -Beatrice to Benedict from the play "Much Ado About Nothing. I like the quote because hearts should be so full of love that there's no space left for anything else.
• "We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep." Prospero from the play "The Tempest. I feel like, at least in the case of my life, I've got a lot of dreams and my goal is to reach them before my life is rounded with a sleep!
• Juliet: My bounty is as boundless as the sea. My love is deep! The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite!" from the play "Romeo and Juliet. I've found that the more love I give the more love comes back to me and consequently the more I can keep on loving!
• "As merry as the day is long." -Beatrice-Much Ado About Nothing-That's how I want to live!
• "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts."-Jaques from the play "As You Like It" I do like this quote because I think everyone grows and plays many parts in life-I think that's what makes living fun!
• "Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice."-Polonius from the play Hamlet- Speak for yourself! 

A world made better by a music video

 I rather like the song World On Fire by Sarah McLachlan mostly because her music video shows how she spent the equivalent of what it would cost to make a music video on various projects throughout the developing world.  Watching it makes me feel good and so I thought I"d share it. 

Snow day

There was record snow fall today in Massachusetts and it got me thinking about how some of my favorite memories as a kid happened when it snowed. As I'm from Michigan it makes sense because it does tend to snow quite a bit in winter.  There's a hill by the house where I grew up that always seemed really big to me and my sister and brother and I used to sled down it and there was a bump at the bottom and I always felt like I was flying when we hit that bump. I also liked making snow forts, I just liked the idea that something I constructed could stay standing for an extended period of time.  Now I'm a bit older I still remember those times and however cold it gets, in remembering the good things that happened in snow, I smile.

Happy Birthday to Ellen DeGeneres -funniest segments!

So it's Ellen DeGeneres's birthday and because I think her show is really funny I thought that to celebrate her birthday I'd share some clips from her show because they made me laugh. I think shows that bring laughter and joy to a lot of people deserve to be celebrated. Anyway here are some clips I like.

Ellen had this woman called Gladys on her show by telephone a few times. I like the clip of the first time Ellen called her as it really did make me laugh. I just think she really had spunk and when I'm old and gray I hope I'm funny like that!

Ellen also interviewed this woman named Kelly Pickler who I also think is really funny and this clip is actually slightly educational-if you get your driver's license stuck in your dryer vent this video will tell you what to do!

I think little kids are sweet and so I thought this clip of two little presidential experts competing against some TV stars was pretty funny.

Happy Birthday Ellen!

Flash Mobs make me happy!

I love it when people randomly start dancing and singing in movies and so it's no real wonder that I like flash mobs. (They're basically random groups of people that get together and sing in random open spaces.) They always make me smile -here are a few that I really like.

This organization called Star Jam (an organization that gives people with disabilities the opportunity to perform musically-http://www.starjam.org) held a flash mob to Lady Gaga's song "Born This way" It's pretty rockin' awesome!

Flash mobs with kids are always sweet!

And of course to end-a flash mob at a wedding because weddings are just plain HAPPY!

Why I'm Glad

Today I felt particularly glad
For no extra special reason
Jus the reason I want to be glad
Because it feels so damn good

I find I'm glad that I can lie in my bed longer
Without too much guilt because it's Saturday
I'm glad my bed with all its blankets is warm and soft
And that I can snuggle in it after a long day when I'm tired

I'm glad I have a lovely family and equally lovely friends
That I can work and work with people I care about
I'm glad I can feel that my work matters and can help people
I'm glad that it makes me feel fulfilled

I'm glad I can write and keep things like this blog going
I'm glad I can hug people and spread whatever love I have
I'm glad I can feel like Pollyanna who only ever was glad
It just feels good to be happy that way

However silly or negative things might feel
As long as I can feel happy about something
I know things will be ok
My life is better that way

Rebels, monsters and a fun night at Knight's Cafe in Brookline

I've been a fan of board games since I was a young girl. So it's no wonder really that I was quite happy to learn that there is a cafe near my house which is totally devoted to board games.  It's called the Knight Moves Cafe and my roommate and I went there. It's basically a regular cafe, it just contains every board game known to most Americans. The nice thing about board games is they're best when played with a lot of people. We were able to join in with a group of 5 other really great people. My roommate and I stayed to play two games: one involving dragons whose aim was to gain 20 points by the end of the game. (Points are gained by rolling a group of dice to fight off other dragons and buy cards to protect oneself from losing points). The other was a card game where each player was either a rebel trying to overthrow a tyrannical government or a spy. The idea is to weed out the spies through deciding on whether missions were successes or failures. I wasn't strategic about it at all but it was fun. Overall we had a lovely time and it was nice to get out and meet fun people. I liked how games can unite complete strangers. I think it emphasizes the beauty of having fun!

If I could be anything I wouldn't mind being a rainbow

"Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray."-Lord Byron. Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/lord_byron.html#5d5JuV1eEYCCxcEK.99

This is why, if reincarnation were possible, my funny little brain wishes I could be a rainbow if only because I like light and color and the idea that rainbows bring hope. Then again I find I see a light in everyone and that's why I like to keep faith in everyone!

Happy birthday to Placido Domingo

Placido Domingo reminds me of how people's incredible gifts should be shared. He has such a great voice and it brings joy to so many people throughout the world.  Maybe it's not recognized, but I do feel everyone has gifts with which they can do so much good. The idea that I can use the gifts I have, to do something good is something that keeps me going in times of need. To whoever reads this, I hope you find what gifts you have use them in the best way.  Anyway, just because I think he sounds so nice (and because it's his birthday), below is Placido Domingo singing Nessum Dorma. Somehow it makes me feel at peace.

State Of My Union

I feel like people are sort of like countries we to govern ourselves, we have boundaries and we have to find ways to get along with each other. In that spirit (and as President Obama will be giving his State of the Union tonight) I thought it might be good to take stock of the state of my life as well and what I want for the rest of this year.  So here are some thoughts:

This year my little world is doing pretty well
And I intend to keep it that way and even do better!
I want to focus on enjoying the moment and how happy I feel
And store up that happiness for when I'm really in need

I want to keep on helping other people and be more active in doing so
Whether it's through donating, or through my words and my work
I'd really like to keep helping people to have more hope
Because even when life is difficult I want to help people know there's always hope

I'd like to continue to grow in my job and do good work that matters
That helps someone else get the things they need to be healthy
I want to try new projects and reach out to more people
Not just maintain the status quo but go beyond what I know!

I'd like to love more and meet even more people
Because I have a lot of love in me that I want to give
And the farther it spreads the bigger love gets!
I think love is the best thing there is

So that's my State Of My Union Address
I might not accomplish it all in one year
But I'll work at it and I'll get it done
I know whatever happens I'll find a way to have fun!

What I'd do for others

"Life's persistent and urgent question is, 'what are you doing for others?'"-Martin Luther King Jr.

Since it's Martin Luther King day and I liked this quote because it made me think of what I'd like to do for others. On the fun side, if had unlimited resources and money, and time here are some things I'd do for others:

1-I'd pay college tuition to everyone who wanted to go (granted it would be a scholarship so people would work hard to get a degree.) I think education is one of the best things-it's helped me to go farther in life and to get where I want to be.
1A-I'd help kids go to the schools, elementary, middle and high schools they want to go to.
2-I'd work with the Grameen Bank Foundation start more Grameen banks in impoverished places-Grameen banks are banks that give out small loans to groups of people in impoverished areas without collateral. The people in the group receiving the loan have to pay the loan back with what they earn from what they used from the loan money. (Example-if a group used the grant to start planting radishes then the people would pay the grant back with the money earned from selling the radishes.) I like the idea of giving people the ability to help themselves. It's nice to be able to work and have the satisfaction of earning something for working hard. (http://www.grameenfoundation.org).
3-I'd help people travel for fun, (just 1 trip) whether it means may taking them or just paying for some of it so they could go. People should see the world outside of where they live.
4-I'd write letters to everyone who wanted one just because I think it's nice to get something in the mail.
5-I'd send one holiday gift to every kid because..... holidays just seem better that way.
6-I'd build/fund/make more public transportation and I'd subsidize it for people that are low income. People should be able to get where they want to get.
7-I'd give every town (no matter how small) a grocery store with lots of food that's good for you (and of course trail mix.)
8-I'd give more funding for organizations that help people dress for success (get something nice to wear for job interviews.)
9-I'd give every family or single person a pet (and help pay for the pet's upkeep) because they're fun and they are nice to have around.
10-I'd find some way to get music to everyone whether it's buying everyone an iPod or something else, I love music!

A cheery balloon for everyone!

“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

It's Winnie the Pooh's birthday and balloons never cease to make me happy! So I post this picture of a balloon that was randomly placed in my desk where I work as a surprise. I love random things like that and I although I wish I could send everyone a happy balloon, I hope that this picture will bring you a sense of happiness too.

No regrets!

"Were it offered to my choice, I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults in the first." Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was a man who seemed  to say a lot of really inspiring stuff but I like this quote best. There are plenty of times when I've wished I could do things over again.  Then again, the more sensible side of me feels that for each thing I'd like to take back or do over, I've learned more from going through that experience. All this makes me further think about a song sung by Edith Piaf, which I rather like too. (Mostly because the image of someone lip syncing to it is quite entertaining to me.) All in all, I'd like to live a life so that when I'm old and gray and zany, I won't have too many regrets either!

What I'd want in a post apocalyptic world

I just finished reading Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham which is a book about a post-apocolyptic world where society basically collapses due to the majority of the world's population going blind and then being attacked by giant man-eating plants. Somehow it got me thinking about what I'd want to have with me if I intended to find happiness in a post apocalyptic world. Here are some of them:

• I'd want my family and friends around me, no matter what.
• I'd want a kettle, teapot, and a fresh water supply (everything is made better with a cup of tea!)
• A good store of books-for when fighting off giant plants gets boring.
• A log cabin- I read the Little House on the Prairie series as a younger kid (the main character grows up in a log cabin and somehow the idea of it always seemed appealing to me.) Heck, if I didn't fear cutting off my own hand with a saw, I might even build a cabin myself! 
• A good hat to keep out the sun and an umbrella that never blows inside out.
• A good supply of nuts, chocolate and raisins so I can make my own trail mix-and perhaps a supply of multi-vitamins-if they still exist (to survive on if all else fails of course.) 
• Something that plays music-I can't do without music-even if the world is ending.
• Many pens just so I can keep writing as much as possible. 
• A bicycle (along with a bike chain that no one else can open-If I have to I'll make one of those chains someday)-bikes are good for getting places and if there's no gasoline left in the world it might not be a bad thing to have. 
• A nice bed to sleep in at night-I just like the idea. 

A goal for this blog

"The art of acceptance is the art of making someone who has just done you a small favor wish that he might have done you a greater one." Martin Luther King, Jr. (Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr_3.html#ZC7bg3l1mU2T8RrV.99)

Martin Luther King Jr. was born today and I found this quote by him that I really like. For as long as I can remember every time someone did something nice for me I really have wanted to do give them something back in return. There are so many gifts I've received that I can never repay. I do wish I could do something greater and so I try and do things like keep this blog, as a means of doing something good and something that can pay tribute to the people I love and the people that have helped make me who I am.  In giving back through this blog I hope that maybe something I write touches someone else. I hope it touches their lives for the better and maybe even help them to want to do good things for others. In short, if this blog is a good thing, my hope in writing it is that greater things come because of it. 

Why I love languages

One of the many things I love
Is the languages people speak
I find I like how they sound
And how each sounds slightly different

I like how in every language
There are words for love and happiness
And that sometimes there are multiple words for each
It's nice to know that in each language there is something sweet

There are so many languages I'd like to speak
But the one language I know is universal
Is the language of laughter
That's a language that needs no rehearsal

Sometimes I'd like to speak every language
Just so I can tell people in every language and every day
That I care very much about them
And somehow I know I'll always feel that way

If I could do anything....

A response to a friend who asked what I'd do if I could do anything:

A lot of store is set by the idea of living life without limits

This idea starts me thinking about

What I'd do if I could do anything

And there are quite a lot of things I'd do

Some of the fun things I'd do include

Learning to fly a plane so I could go all over the place

I'd also like to be on a comedy program 

Just because helping people laugh is fun for me

I'd like to ride in a hot air balloon 

And travel to Antarctica just to say I went

I think it'd also be fun to go to outer space

Just to see the Earth and what it's like to be weightless

On a more serious note 

I'd quite like to write a book 

I don't know what it would be about 

But the idea is intriguing-one day I'll figure it out!

Even if I don't do all the things listed above

I know I could find a way to do all those things if I want

But for now I have to say I'm happy with the things I'm doing now

And I so far I don't want it to be any other way!

Funny songs

Just as I love beautiful music I also like music that makes me laugh, music that's just plain funny sometimes just feels good to my soul.  Here are some of the songs I like that make me laugh.

• "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah"-Allan Sherman-It's about this kid who hates summer camp and it's quite entertaining in my mind. (Although I did have a good time at summer camp when I was a kid.)  Listen here.
• "The Gas Man Cometh"-Flanders and Swan-It's basically all about home improvement work gone terribly wrong. It's really funny! Listen here.
• "The Elements"-Tom Lehrer- It's funny and edumicational! -Listen here.
• "Unbelievable" -EMF-I just like the image of people singing it karaoke-style-it's just fun!  Listen here.
• Splish Splash-Bobby Darin-it reminds me of bath time as a kid-splashing water everywhere was the fun part! Listen here.

Smile more :)

I heard this song called "People Should Smile More"  by the singer Newton Faulkner and as its his birthday I thought I'd share it.  I like the song's main idea that people should smile more. Although I may not agree with some of the lyrics where it says the singer feels he can't change the world, I like to believe everyone is able to change the world. I figure a smile can change so many things for the better and this song reminds me to smile more! So in that way Newton Faulkner changed my world! :)

I hope people stay forever young

I know that getting older is a constant thing but I hope that there remains a part of all of us that is young, energetic, and most of all fun! In the spirit of that hope I like the song "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart. I thought of the song today because it's Rod Stewart's birthday and  I also want to dedicate this post to my friend Parisa as it's her birthday too. I wish her (and everyone) a life lived as if we all are forever young!

Maggie fights the cling wrap and the tin foil!

So today was a day of frustration!  Why am I writing about this in a blog about happiness-

1-because I want to!
2 -Because I Can!
3-The story cheered my roommate up in the best sense
4-I like laughing at myself. :)

I don't like hating things but I really hate cling wrap so today I was struggling with the cling wrap to wrap up a sandwich (Yes I did have sandwich bags but I was trying to challenge myself-which turned out to be a rather disastrous idea.) So I can't seem to get the cling wrap off the roller (and yes I did try to use the sharp thingys on the top side of the box but then I cut my finger which wasn't so fun. )  So to avoid further injury I start thinking scissors would be good.  Let's just say it turned out to be a rather messy affair that didn't  go too well. So then I tried to attack the tinfoil with similarly disastrous results. (You'd think a roll of tinfoil would be more difficult to destroy, thankfully my completely destructive powers are limited to tinfoil and cling wrap!) By the end of it my motivation for self improvement led me to use a sandwich bag. Anyway, I got back home after work and I told my roommate who was stuck in bed with the stomach flu about it and it made her laugh in the best way which made me feel good! So I discovered 2 things today-1-in some cases destruction can be quite funny. 2-I should stay away from cling wrap and tinfoil.

Something to succeed at

"However difficult life may seem, there's always something you can do and succeed at."-Stephen Hawking

It's Stephen Hawking's birthday. I like this quote because it shows how doing something you love can sustain you through difficult things. Somehow I feel like I've always known that writing was something I could just do and something I could really enjoy doing. I find happiness in it. I hope that everyone finds something like that. Something that's fun and that you can succeed at. Whatever that things is, whatever makes you happiest, I hope you pursue it.  I think everyone deserves to have something to succeed at. It makes life more fun!

Since it's cold out, I'll play music to warm up!

It's really cold in Boston and one of the ways I've chosen to stay warm is through music. So if you're in a cold place too here are some music that will hopefully warm you up.

• "Feelin' Hot Hot Hot"-The Hit Crew-I can imagine it's hot out when I listen to this. Plus it makes me laugh. (listen here).
• "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay"-Otis Redding-It makes me think of relaxing in the sun with a nice book. (listen here).
• "Sunny"- Bobby Hubb-It makes me think of good days to come. (listen here).
• "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm"- I know that my life feels warmer when the people I love are around me. Plus I think the song is classy! (listen here).
• "Happy" -Pharrell Williams. It makes me want to dance and even if I don't dance, this song still makes me feel warm inside. (listen here).  

I find happiness in the odd things

I find happiness in the odd

Such as today I work blue glove and green glove

They looked pretty together and I felt better seeing them 

After all life just seems better with more colors in it

Odd things like sidewalk drawings make me smile

Especially when they are drawings of smiling faces themselves

I don't see them every day but they make me feel good right away

Smiles are just nice that way

I find happiness in the random acts of kindness people do

I like giving random gifts too 

Just for the fun of it

This entry is my gift to you 

I look for the random things in every day

Because they make me feel happy in every way

And life is full of so many lovely random things 

That make life more fun than I can say!

To make others happy is my happiness

"The happiness of one's own heart alone cannot satisfy the soul; one must try to include, as necessary to one's own happiness, the happiness of others."-Paramahansa Yogananda

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/paramahansa_yogananda.html#CJ0KiQ5dktKkCAJr.99

The quote above makes me think of this blog as a whole and how it has been like a real exercise in self help device for me.  Even though just writing in it makes me happy I think the happiest thing about writing this blog is the idea that it might help others feel good inside. So, yes, this blog is all about the happy (and I intend it to always be that way!) 

How I want to see the beauty in others more clearly

As it's a new year which gets me thinking about things I want to change about myself, I've also started thinking about things I like about myself as well. I like my smile and my hair and I like the way I laugh. Although there are many things about myself that I am working on improving, I think I'll also work on remembering the good traits I have as well. I think there is a lot of beauty in everyone and I want to see that and recognize it even more clearly than I do now.  In order to do that I  figure I have to also focus on the good traits I have and I believe in that way the beauty in others will become even more apparent to me. For the moment, I say that I hope that everyone can recognize the beauty inside them and celebrate it!

My favorite Characters from the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings characters

Since J.R. R. Tolkien was born today in 1892 it got me thinking about Hobbit/Lord of the Rings characters I like. Here are some of them:

• Samwise Gamgee-he's loyal, kind, and very brave-perfect companion on long journeys!
• Peregrin (Pippin) Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry)-they're both just so funny and best friends who are also really dedicated to helping each other and the people they care about.
• Gandalf-he has a staff (big magical walking stick) that I really want to steal!
• Radagast-nature-loving and slightly zany-I can't help but like him!
• Eowyn-I like that she fights for people she believes in. My favorite scene in the movies in which she is portrayed is when she proclaims "I am no man!" and then stabs the Witch-King of Angmar-in response to the legend that no man can kill the Witch-King. All right I realize that's not a very happy image, still, I think it's just so cool the way she makes that statement. I want to be fearless like her!

Funniest quotes I can find

I was thinking that a year should start off with a good laugh so here are some of the funniest quotes I could find via the internet.

• "If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you!" -Steven Wright 
• "My voice is not so much 'bel canto' as it was 'can belto'"-Harry Secombe 
• "My grandmother started walking 5 miles a day when she was 60. She's 97 now and we don't know where the hell she is." -Ellen DeGeneres  
• "I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking 3!"-Elayne Boosler 
• "A day without sunshine is like, you know, night."-Steve Martin
• "O Lord help me to be pure, but not yet."-St. Augustine 
• "A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five."-Groucho Marx
• "I took a speed reading course and read [the book] "War and Peace" in 20 minutes. It involves Russia"-Woody Allen

Sources: https://litemind.com/best-famous-quotes/
http://www.brainyquote.com

My New Year's resolutions!

I must resist! I must resist!

I must cease and desist!

From some of things that I do

That I most definitely must discontinue!

I vow to resist saying I'm sorry

Unless it's absolutely necessary and unavoidable

(It's a problem that I no longer want to be known for!)

I also vow to resist worry and stress-life is so much better when I stress less!

On a more positive note I also vow 

To remain happy and healthy and smiling

Because I find a smile makes life more fun

And I know I'm happiest when I'm healthiest

I'm writing these things down for the world to see

Although these resolutions may not seem like much 

Commitments seem more firm when they're written down

So these are my commitments for the new year -I'm starting now!