Something we can never get enough of or give enough of

The one thing we can never get enough of is love. And the one thing we never give enough is love. Henry Miller
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/henry_miller_124604

I've always believed that love is the best thing there is and I tell people I love them every day because I don't want anyone to ever be in any doubt that I care. Love is the gift that keeps on giving and there is always more love to give. In that spirit, I send much love to all who read this. 

A little mischief

Today I was super happy because I went to the New England Aquarium as a holiday outing that my boss arranged for everyone in our office. It was really fun to watch the penguins and fish and everything.  At the end of the tour we all walked into this gift shop and I saw all these snow globes that played music and all of a sudden the 6 year old kid inside of me woke up and gave me this crazy urge to turn on a whole bunch of the snow globe music boxes at once. I just thought it was so funny and even though my friend and coworker said I was obnoxious for doing it we both started laughing hysterically about it.  All silliness aside, today I was reminded of how I work in a very accepting office and I'm really glad I have wonderful coworkers and friends. Most of all I'm glad I can do things that help make people laugh.

As it's the holiday season

Since it is a season holidays (and because I can't help myself) I just thought I should share the clip below. Happy Wednesday everyone!

The best way to be!

“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.” -Bruce Lee
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/bruce_lee_394186

I like the fact that everyone is unique and as such, everyone has the potential for greatness because everyone has the potential to grow and learn and become the greatest version of themselves. Best of all,  everyone has the ability to decide the ways in which they consider themselves to be at their best. So my  hope for everyone is that everyone, no matter what happens in their lives, can feel they live the best way they know how to live. I for one, wish everyone the very best now, and always! 

A jazz song for Christmas

As I really like music and especially Christmas-themed music, I thought I'd share some Christmas music that makes me feel happiest.  There is a piece of jazz instrumental music called "O Tanenbaum" that was performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. I like this song because it's fun and I can imagine people dancing to it. Anyway, I post it here to wish everyone very happy holidays!

Laugh and feel good all over

"Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place."-Josh Billings
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/josh_billings_106361

I really like this description of laughter because when I'm laughing hard I do find that it makes me feel good all over. Plus, I really like the fact that laughter can be contagious.  So, in the spirit of promoting contagious laughter, I post the videoclip below. Happy Sunday everyone!

Rainbow sighting!

My Mum was getting into her car after coming out of the grocery store when she saw a rainbow in the midst of a rainstorm and she decided to take a picture. I liked the picture because it reminds me that even in the midst of storms there’s always a chance of a rainbow and something to hope for. I wish everyone the happiest of Saturdays!

A bit of Black Friday humor

I found this joke that I thought was pertinent as today as it’s a big shopping day in the US.  In any case this joke made me laugh. I wish everyone a very Happy Black Friday!

It was the day of the big sale. Rumors of the sale (and some advertising in the local paper) were the main reason for the long line that formed by 8:30, the store’s opening time, in front of the store.

A small man pushed his way to the front of the line, only to be pushed back, amid loud and colorful curses. On the man’s second attempt, he was punched square in the jaw, and knocked around a bit, and then thrown to the end of the line again. As he got up the second time, he said to the person at the end of the line…

“That does it! If they hit me one more time, I won’t open the store!”

Joke from: http://www.desicomments.com/jokes/jokes/shopping-jokes/

Happy Thanksgiving from Maggie and The Minions

I saw this clip and I can’t help posting it here! It is actually for a movie called “Despicable Me 2” But I still liked it because I thought it was really funny and I’m posting it here to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving and as a warning to avoid chasing turkeys as they clearly can chase you back!

a celebration of oxygen

“Singing is like a celebration of oxygen.”- Bjork
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/bjork_463684

I rather like the idea of singing causing the air to celebrate.  The other day I heard a woman named Jackie Evancho singing the song “Pure Imagination” and in thinking about it now, when she sang that song I could imagine the air celebrating. I wish everyone a very happy Wednesday!

Happy Tuesday

This is just a quick note to wish everyone a very happy Tuesday!

A public service announcement

"Never sing in the shower, Singing leads to dancing, dancing leads to slipping, and slipping leads to paramedics seeing you naked!"-Anonymous


I just thought I'd post this as a public service announcement to all those who love singing. If you really feel like singing while getting wet, be like Gene Kelly and sing in the rain! :)

Once in a lifetime

A happy thought for today: I hope that you always remember that you are a once-in-a-lifetime kind of person. There is no one else like you and you are special because of that! I send you lots of love now and always and I wish you a very happy Sunday!

It's Saturday! Celebrate!

Hooray it's Saturday and I hope you celebrate this day as spiritedly as these minions!

The Sound of Music

The musical “The Sound of Musi” opened for the first time on this date in 1959. I always like watching “The Sound of Music” because it never fails to cheer me up. I especially like the song “My Favorite Things” as it helps me think of all the things that make me feel happiest and in thinking of those things I can’t help but feel happy. In that spirit, I wish everyone the happiest of Fridays!

Goodness in times of fire

Lately I've been thinking of the people affected by the Camp Fire in California and the terrible difficulties they're facing.  I know that some movie/music stars/other celebrities have been donating to help people that have lost everything and I was happy to hear today that Lady Gaga stopped by a shelter to give out pizza and gift cards. (To read the story click here.) The story made me think about how good people can be to each other. One thing I really like about people is that so many people are willing to donate money and supplies to people they don't know/may never meet personally.  I figure as long as people are willing to take care of each other there remains a lot of hope for humanity. To all those affected by the fires in California, I pray that you are safe and I wish you the very best. To all those who wish to help people affected by the fires in California click here.

Simple gifts

The composer Aaron Copeland was born today in 1900 and he composed a version of the song Simple Gifts which I think is rather beautiful. Although Copeland's version doesn't have words, the words to the actual song are below. To me, this song is about counting your blessings and seeing all that is good in your life. I post this song here today in honor of my friend Ann who retired from working at a home care agency that is in the office below the office where I work.  When I said goodbye to her she gave me a small picture with the words "Count your blessings" written on it. Ann and this song remind me to always be grateful for all that I have in life. I wish everyone the happiest of Wednesdays and an even happier Thursday to come!

Simple Gifts

Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,

To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come 'round right

Science confirms hugging is good for you!

I just read about a study from Carnegie Mellon University which looked at the daily activities of 400 people for two weeks. The study found that people who hugging someone (with their consent of course) felt less bad after they  experienced a conflict. This positive feeling after receiving a hug was experienced by all genders and ages involved in the study although women reported giving more hugs than men. The study also found that even if the hug came from someone who wasn't a romantic partner or family member, the effect of the hug on the person who had experienced a conflict was still just as positive. To me this study shows that especially in times of doubt and struggle, hugging someone (with their consent of course) is a great help.  To read more about the study click here.

Happy Monday

I want to wish everyone who reads this a very happy Monday and an even happier Tuesday to come!

To all veterans

I want to pay tribute to all veterans who serve or have served in the armed forces to protect their countries. I do this especially because my dad is a veteran, as was his father befor him.  To all veterans, wherever you are reading this, thank you very much for your service.

Everything is done by hope

"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope."- Martin Luther
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/martin_luther_379055

I believe that with hope (and hard work) really anything is possible. The nice thing about hope is that to have hope costs nothing and is always a positive thing. In that spirit, to all who read this, I hope you have a very happy day and an even happier tomorrow! 

Smile it's Friday!

This video really made me smile and I had to share it here because babies and dogs make me feel happy. Plus, I'm as happy as this baby is that it's Friday! :)

If at first you don't succeed... Climb again!

I saw this clip of a bear club trying to climb up a hill to reach his mom. He kept sliding down the hill and each time he'd have to start his journey over again. I just like the fact that this bear never gave up and did reach the top in the end. I liked the clip because I believe that as long as one is willing to not give up, then any goal is possible.

I wish you a day with lots of smiles in it!

“The greatest self is a peaceful smile, that always sees the world smiling back.” Bryant H. McGill
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/bryant_h_mcgill_502446

I wish everyone a very happy Wednesday and I hope that wherever you are reading this, that you have many reasons to smile today!

Music for Election Day

The composer John Philip Sousa was born today in 1854 and as he's known for composing music and because it's Election Day in the US, it seemed to me that it was only fitting that I should share one song here that he composed that somehow, even though I don't feel patriotic, it does make me feel good inside to hear it. The song is called "The Washington Post March" and I share it here in dedication to all those who voted today!

If you’re in the US, vote!

Since November 6th is Election Day for the midterm elections in the US, This is just a quick message from my Minion and I, urging people to get out and vote!!

Going forward!

"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today."-Will Rogers
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/will_rogers_109467

There's something rather freeing about the idea of having each day be new and knowing that all of whatever happened the day before doesn't have to influence all of what happens the next day. In that sense each day is a new chance to do other things you may not have had the chance to do the day before. So to all who read this I wish you many new days full of new possibilities. 

As it's Daylight Savings Time tonight

"Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us." Samuel Smiles
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/samuel_smiles_143145?src=t_sun

All I have to say is always remain hopeful and turn your clocks back one hour tonight and enjoy the extra hour of sleep! :)

Get rid of fear!

"You just have to get rid of fear and confront the world. Look at yourself in the mirror and say to yourself, 'I love you and nothing will destroy you and you're not going to fall.' "- Ricky Martin
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/ricky_martin

I really like this quote and I think it's a helpful thing to say to yourself because it's good to love yourself and know that while you might make mistakes, you can't really fail as long as you're wiling to do your best at whatever it is you want to do. I wish everyone the very best and the happiest of Fridays!

Love train

I was thinking of the song called "Love Train" because it's fun and it makes me think how love can be like a train in that it can go to so many places and joins so many people together.  I believe love is everywhere and it's something to celebrate!