Happy New Year’s Eve!

 I am just writing to wish everyone a very happy New Year’s Eve! I send best wishes and much love to everyone now and always.

Hugs

“They invented hugs to let people know you love them without saying anything.” -Bil Keane

In the spirit of this quote, I send many virtual hugs with best wishes and much love to everyone now and always.

Some fun music for a Thursday

 I was listening to Harry Belafonte's "Jump in the Line" today and because it made me feel like dancing I thought I'd share it here. I hope wherever you're reading this that you have many opportunities to dance in your life. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Puppy and hedgehog

 I saw this video of a puppy and a hedgehog playing together and it made me smile so I felt I needed to share it here in the hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Best wishes

 I’m just writing to wish everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Kwanzaa

 I'm writing to wish a happy Kawanzaa to all who celebrate it. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Christmas

 Happy Christmas everyone. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

To all who celebrate Christmas

 Wishing everyone who celebrates it a very happy Christmas from me and all the Minions!

Love has its own rainbow

"Let no one who loves be unhappy, even love unreturned has its rainbow."-James M. Barrie

 Wherever you're reading this, I hope that you can remember that love is never wasted, it always has a purpose and it can do so many good things. I hope you have people in life who show love to you and who you love. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Favorite Christmas music

 As it's almost Christmas, I thought I'd share some Christmas music that I like best. It's a song called O Tanenbaum and I like a version of it that's jazzy and fun. Plus, it reminds me of home somehow. Anyway, wherever you're reading this, I hope you have music in your life that makes you feel happy!

Something to remember

"Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection."- Pindar

 I like this quote because I figure that as long as something is given with love, it's the nicest thing to give. In that spirit,  I send best wishes and much love to everyone now and always. 

Sending love

 I'm just writing to send best wishes and much love to everyone now and always.

A sweet video for a Monday

 I saw this really sweet video and I had to share it here to send best wishes, much love and laughter to everyone now and always.

Happy Hanukkah

 This post is just to wish a very Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate this holiday. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Some soothing music for a Saturday

 The composer and musician Ludwig van Beethoven was baptized today in 1770. When I think of Beethoven, I think of this piece of music he composed called Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 Adagio Un Poco Mosso. I like this piece because it makes me feel at peace when I hear it.  I post it here in the hope it can bring some peace to others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Three more good things

As I'm continuing to work to find good things in each day, here are some good things that happened in my day today.

 

• I was able to having a singing lesson which was really fun.
• I made myself a nice dinner which was really good.
• I accomplished everything I set out to accomplish today
   

Wherever you're reading this, I hope you had many good things happen in your day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and best wishes now and always.

Happy International Tea Day

 I was rather delighted to find out that it is International Tea Day. Since my Mum is British, there is always tea in my family's house. It's basically the cure for all ills, disasters and it also makes me feel happy. Recently I've developed a liking for chamomile tea as it helps me feel calm. Wherever you're reading this, even if you don't like tea, I hope that you have many things in your life that make you feel calm, safe and happy. I send everyone best wishes  and much love now and always.

Three good things for today

 In keeping with my efforts to find at least 3 good things in my day, here are some things that happened in my day that were good.

• I accomplished everything I set out to accomplish.
• I was able to do some research on an interesting topic, which is something I enjoy doing.
• I was able to have a zoom chat with a friend and it was lovely to see and talk with them.
  

Wherever you're reading this, I hope that you experienced many good things today. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Home

 "Home is the nicest word there is." -Laura Ingalls Wilder

I find I feel safest and most at peace when I'm home. I'm grateful that I've always had a physical place to call home but I do feel that I feel at home when I'm with people I care about. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you're with people that make you feel at home and/or that you are in a physical home. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Young at heart

 The singer Frank Sinatra was born today in 1915 and this makes me think of a song he sang called Young at Heart. I've always liked that song because it reminds that good happenings are always possible.  So I post this song here to encourage people to stay young at heart and enjoy life to the fullest. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

There's a place for us

 It's the actress and singer Rita Moreno's birthday and this got me thinking about a song she performed called "Somewhere". I like the version of this song below because it's sung in English and Spanish and it's all about how there's always a place for people to be accepted and loved. I also like the song because it's pretty and it makes me feel good to hear it. So I post it here to send best wishes and much love to everyone, now and always.

Just some fun dancing

I saw this video of a little kid dancing with a dog and I had to share it here because it made me feel good inside. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you can find many reasons to laugh each day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

 

Happy National Llama Day!

 Apparently it's National Llama day!! I'm excited about this because llamas make me smile. I found this video of llamas dancing that made me feel good so I thought I'd share it here. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Two choices

 "You always have 2 choices: your commitment versus your fear."-Sammy Davis Jr.

I rather like this quote because although I've been afraid of many things,  but if there was something I really wanted to do and I felt really firm about doing it, I found I didn't have time to feel afraid because there was something I needed to do and it just had to get done. If there's something good you want to do, especially if it helps other people, I hope you do it and not stop until it's done.  I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A sweet video for a Wednesday

 I saw this really sweet video with a dog showing its love for a baby. It made me smile so I had to share it here. I hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Sunshine in a song

 I heard the song "Sunshine by OneRepublic and I felt I had to share it here because it's happy and it encourages things like smiling and dancing, two things that happen to make my soul feel good. Anyway, I hope each day brings you many reasons to smile. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Why I say I love you

 

Someone asked me why I so often tell people I love them as saying it so much might make it seem as if I'm being insincere. I so frequently tell people I love them, and I mean it very much when I say it, because I never know how much a person might need to hear someone loves them. I've heard too many stories of people who have felt so much despair because they don't feel loved and each time I hear about that, I just feel it's the most awful thing. I've resolved to tell people I loved them so they might feel that love in a time of great need. I wish telling someone you love them would be something that's even more widely said and felt. All we have in this life is each other. To me, it just seems/feels better to love people and tell them so.

A simple smile

 "We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do."- Mother Teresa

I do find that I feel better when I smile. I hope that wherever you're reading this, that you have many reasons to smile each day. I send best wishes, much love and many smiles now and always. 

A lovely concert

I just got back from singing in a concert with Polymnia Choral Society in Melrose, MA. I really enjoyed it because I love singing and it's so nice to sing with a group of really great people. One of my favorite songs we sang was called Lead Kindly Light arranged by Dan Forrest. I like it because it's really pretty and it makes me feel good to sing it. Below is a recording of a choir singing the song. I couldn't post a recording of Polymnia because it's not released yet. I'm still sharing a recording of the song here because I feel that beautiful music is best shared. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

 

 

Happy Friday!

 This post is to wish everyone a happy Friday from me and all my Minions!!!

Funny quote for the day

"As far as I'm concerned, 'whom' is a word that was invented to make everyone sound like a butler." -Calvin Trillin

This quote made me laugh today so I thought I'd better share it here. Even if you might not sound like a butler, always stay articulate! I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Love like this

I heard this lovely song today called "Love Like This" by Ben Rector and I had to share it here because for whatever reason it made me feel at peace. I hope wherever you are reading this that you have people around you that help you feel loved. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Finger posts on the road to achievement

"Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success." -C. S. Lewis

 I've learned that failure isn't something to be so afraid of because it's an experience that can get you closer to a goal by showing you what not to do or what you can do better. If there's something good that you want to do, especially if it helps other people., even if you fail at  first, I hope you keep working until you reach your goal. I send you best wishes and much love now and always. 

A Message for a Monday

“Coming to you this Monday morning to remind you how awesome you are, and that you my darling… matter. After all, there’s only one of you in the whole world. Don’t waste one second trying to be like anyone else.”-Sarah Blakely

I send out this post to wish a very happy Monday with best wishes and much love to everyone now and always.

Just some soothing music for a Sunday

 If you are reading this and are in need of some music that can help you feel relaxed, I found this video that I felt was rather nice. So I share it here to send best wishes and much love to everyone.

A classy song for a Saturday

 I heard this song called “C’est Si Bon”  sung by Eartha Kitt and I share it here today because I feel Saturdays are good days for classy songs and this song is classy! I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Friday

 I wish everyone a very happy Friday and if you are shopping today please be safe. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy despicable Thanksgiving

 I wish a very happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates this holiday from me and all my despicable Minions!! I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Sending love

I’m just writing to wish everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Where there is love...

 "Where there is love there is life."-Mahatma Ghandi

In the spirit of this quote, I wish a good life and much love to everyone now and always.

Believe in the beauty of your dreams

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."- Eleanor Roosevelt

Wherever you're reading those, I hope you have many dreams and that you believe that a better future is possible, because it is. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Truest wisdom

 "A loving heart is the truest wisdom."-Charles Dickens

To all who read this, may you always have a loving heart and thus, a lot of wisdom. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always

Kindness is never thrown away

"Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away."-Arthur Helps

In the spirit of this quote, I have no advice but I do send best wishes and much love to everyone now and always.

Happy dance for a Friday

Although I think every day is good for dancing,  Fridays are especially good days for dancing and in that spirit I enclose a happy dance for this Friday! I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Give a smile

 “If you see someone without a smile today, give ’em yours.”

 In the spirit of this quote I send a smile, much love and best wishes to all who read this.

 

 

Dogs save

 I saw this lovely piece on the news a while back about a dog that helped his owner when his owner was having a stroke.What was interesting about the dog was the fact that apparently the dog had been in a shelter for a while and no one else had wanted to adopt him. Finally, one man did take the dog home and showed him love and the dog grew to love him in return. It just made me happy to see the dog and his owner find each other and care for each other. Anyway, I send everyone (and especially dogs) best wishes and much love now and always. 

Laughter brought about by numbers

 I saw this lovely video of a baby laughing while its mother laughs and counts for him. It made me smile so I had to share it here. I hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Love is...

 

Love is very simple. Although love can take many forms, the beauty of love is that it simply is and in that spirit,  I send best wishes and much love to everyone.

Faith in self

 "Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light."-Helen Keller

To all who read this, I hope that you can always believe in yourself and your abilities and even if you face difficulties, you can believe you have become stronger because of the difficulties you have experienced. I find that even at times when I don't feel I believe in very much, it's rather comforting to know that I believe in myself and my ability to get through past experiences and am stronger for doing that. I hope that if you're reading this and you're going through something difficult, that you can always believe you will get through your difficulties and things will get better. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Rights

The women's rights activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born today in 1815. When I think about this I think of how many people had to really fight for the rights that I as a woman with a disability now enjoy.  I vote in elections and I'm able to work to help other people with disabilities because before I was born other people fought to make sure people with disabilities get the support they need to get an education and get jobs. While I do realize that not everyone has the rights that I can enjoy, I work to protect and increase the rights people with disabilities can and should have. Wherever you're reading this, if you feel your rights aren't protected, I hope you take action to ensure you have the rights you need to live a good life. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

In honor of Remembrance Day

 As it's Remembrance  Day and I was thinking about this clip I saw of some children singing "The Call" in honor of veterans. To all veterans everywhere and their families I send you all much love and best wishes now and always.

Happy birthday to Sesame Street

 Today in 1969 the TV series Sesame Street premiered on the PBS TV channel. I want to celebrate this because I really liked the show as a child and I like that it continues to educate and bring happiness to even more children today.  One thing I remember most about Sesame Street was that in one of the episodes a group of the show's characters sang a song called "Sing". I remember liking it because it's cheerful and I've always really liked to sing. I post it here to send best wishes and much love to everyone.

Trust yourself

 "Trust yourself,  you know more than you think you do."-Benjamin Spock

I hope that wherever you're reading this, that you can think of the decisions you make as the right decision at the time you make them. On a personal level, although some of my decisions have lead to less than positive results, I'm comforted by the fact that I've learned from those results and can go on to do better in the future and reach my goals. So I hope that if you have something you want to do, especially if it will help other people, I hope that you do it and trust that your decisions will ultimately get the results you need. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Things that I like best about cold weather

 The weather is getting cooler where I am and so that made me think about the things I rather like about cold weather.

•  Cold weather makes tea taste even better.
• In cold weather you can always put more clothes on. Whereas, in hot weather you can only take so much off.
• It feels better to snuggle under a warm blanket on a cold day.
  

 

Wherever you're reading this, even if it's not cold where you are, I hope you can find the good things about the weather around you. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A second spring

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ― Albert Camus 

I really like this quote as it makes me think of how color the leaves when they change in the area where I live is a lot like flowers because the colors can be really beautiful.  Wherever you're reading this, even if the leaves don't change color, I hope you can see the beauty that is all around you and that you can enjoy it. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

 

 

You don't have to be great to start

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." Zig Ziglar 

 Throughout my life I've always had things I wanted to do and a lot of those things were hard for me. However, I've also found that the things that intimidated me most, got easier once I started doing them. In a way I'm rather glad I don't do things perfectly because in being imperfect, I learn more. My point is, if there's something that you want to do that is good and that could potentially help other people, I hope you take action and do those things, even if it's hard. Send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

 

A big hat for sunshine

 "Some sunshine is good for the soul, but I always make sure I wear a big hat."-Miranda Ker

I thought of this quote today because it's sunny where I live today and so I've resolved to wear this hat today because the hat and sunshine make me feel splendidly happy. Wherever you're reading this, even if the sun isn't shining, I hope you can find many things in your life that make you feel splendid. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Words of wisdom

here are some words of wisdom that inspired me today. "The only courage that matters is the kind that gets you from one moment to the next." -Mignon McLaughlin

I hope everyone who reads this has a lovely  weekend and I send you everyone  best wishes and much love now and always.

Just some peaceful music for a Thursday

 I was feeling in need of some soothing music today and so I listened to Clair De Lune by Claude Debussy and it helped me feel more relaxed. I like it because it gives me a sense of peace and sometimes it's good to sit quietly and enjoy something beautiful. I hope wherever you're reading this, that you have many things in your life that help you feel peaceful. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Remembering

 Today is the second and last day of the El Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) holiday and I rather like this holiday because it reminds me that the people I love who have died are always with me in my heart. Today I was thinking about my friend Ros who died a few years ago. She was such a funny person and she always made me laugh. I met her when she was in her 90s and she had the most incredible laugh and spirit and humor. My favorite memory with her was when we were volunteering at a fundraiser at our church and she and I were helping people wrap gifts they bought at the event. She and I were talking and laughing and doing crossword puzzles in between wrapping the gifts and it was just a fun time. Although I really miss her, I'm glad I was able to get to know her while she was alive. I send much love and best wishes to Ros who lives on in my heart and to everyone who reads this now and always.

Three good things

 In keeping with my efforts to find at least 3 good things in each of my days, here are three good things that happened in my day today.

• I was able to go to choir practice today which is something I always enjoy.
• I made myself a nice sandwhich for lunch using a recipe that I hadn't tried before and it tasted nice.
• I was able to listen to some nice music while I was getting ready for the day this morning and it was a nice way to start things off for the day.
  

To all who read this, I hope you can find the good things in your day and enjoy them. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Halloween!

 Happy Halloween to all who celebrate it from me and all my Minions!

A really sweet choir

 I sing in the choir at my church and today we had a bunch of kids from the congregation come and sing with us. I liked it because it's always nice to hear children singing and having fun. It was nice that they got so enthusiastic about it too. It reminded me of when I was little and I used to sing in my school's choir. It was usually really early in the morning but it made me happy to sing.  I think I enjoy singing more now because I had a lot of fun with it when I was younger. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you have many things in your life that gives you great joy. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Good things in my day

 As I continue on my quest to find good things in each day, here are some good things that happened in my day. Wherever you're reading this, I hope that you find many good things in each day.

• Today I found out an audiobook I wanted to listen to was available through my library (the book is called Magpie Murders) and that made me happy.
• I made time to play my guitar today and it always makes me feel good to make music.
• I relaxed today which was much needed. 

 I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Something to remember

 "Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday."-Dale Carnegie

And on that note, here's a song to reinforce the importance of not worrying. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Just something a little spooky

 I saw this video of a singer singing the song Poor Unfortunate Soul from the movie The Little Mermaid. I really liked it because it seemed to me that it was just the right mix of spookiness and fun. In any case, it made me smile and I hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Good things that happened today

 I felt that it's really important to find the good things in this day so here are some good things that happened in my day.

• I was able to help people get the supplies they need for their work.
• I made some chili and ate it for dinner and it tasted good, especially on a cold day.
• I attended a talk given my a Native American activist which was really interesting and made me evaluate how I view the area where I live and the history that I want to learn more about.
  

I hope wherever you are reading this, that you are able to find the good things in each day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Beauty is everywhere

 "Beauty is everywhere. you only have to look to see it"-Bob Ross

I hope that wherever you are reading this, that you always see the beauty that is in yourself and all around you. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Just dance

 I saw this lovely video of an elderly lady dancing at an event. She just looked so happy so I had to share it here because it made me smile. I hope that wherever you're reading this, that you're able to find many reasons to dance in your life. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

How far we've come and how far we can go

 Sometimes when I'm feeling as though I need to be brave, I think about the things I've experienced in my life, both the good and the bad. Then I think about how, if I could have those experiences and learn from them, then I can face whatever the future holds for me. I hope that wherever you are reading this, you can look back on your life so far and think about all that you have achieved and how far you've come and use those memories to show yourself that so much is possible. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

The big jigsaw puzzle

 "There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because [they have] a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle." -Deepak Chopra

I really like the idea that  everything and everyone in life has a place to fill and that every life has a purpose. Plus, I've always rather liked jigsaw puzzles regardless of how frustrating they can be. Anyway, I hope that wherever you are reading this, that you always know that you have a role and place in this world and that I hope you are able to determine the best way to fill that role. Also know that no matter what, I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy dance for a Friday

 I saw this clip and thought it was appropriately happy for a Friday. In any case it made me smile and I hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Just something sweet for a Thursday

 I felt I needed a bit of cheering up today and this video below was just what I needed. It's just really nice to see a baby laugh, plus, I've always liked dogs. Thus, I've decided to share this video here in the hope it makes others smile too. I send everyone much love and best wishes now and always.

Sending warm wishes

 I'm just writing to send best wishes now and always to all who read this.

Just a funny video for a Tuesday

 I saw this video of a baby laughing at his dad swimming and it made me smile so I thought I'd share it here in the hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Feeling the fresh air

" I love the feeling of the fresh air on my face and the wind blowing through my hair."-Evel Knievel

To me, there's always been something nice about fresh air and the wind blowing through my hair. I remember when I was a small child, I used to think that when the wind blew lightly on my face, especially summer, that was people watching over me and sending good wishes. It might sound irrational but it was a comforting thought at the time. To this day, I still like being out in the fresh air as it does my spirit good. Anyway,  wherever you're reading this, I hope you have many opportunities to enjoy the fresh air. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Thank heavens for good friends!

 "Friends are people who know you really well and like you anyway.“ — Greg Tamblyn

Wherever you are reading this, I hope you have many friends who like and care about you, no matter what.  I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Even Koalas need hugs

 I saw this really sweet video of this koala bear getting hugs from a zookeeper and it reminded me of how great a hug is. It's the feeling of safety that a hug brings that I like best. Anyway, wherever you are reading this, I hope you take many opportunities to give and receive hugs. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Good things that happened today

 In keeping with my efforts to find good things in each day, here are some good things that happened in my day today.

• I was able to take a nice walk. It always helps me to be in nature and be warmed by it.
• I had a nice dinner of some soup that my Mum made me when she visited me recently.
• I was able to watch Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring which is a movie that somehow always seems to make me feel comforted.
  

 

 To whoever reads this, I hope you can find the good things in your day and enjoy them. I send everyone best wishes and much love always. 

Never alone

 I heard this song today called Never Alone and for whatever reason it made me feel comforted. So I thought I'd share it here in the hope it has the same effect on others.  I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

A nice walk

 Today I had the opportunity to take a nice walk with a good friend, which was really peaceful. There's something nice about being in nature and being with a friend. I hope wherever you're reading this, I hope you have many opportunities to enjoy being outside and to be with friends. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Kind words

 "Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much." -Blaise Pascal

In the spirit of this quote, I send best wishes and much love to everyone in the hope that it brightens your day.

Encircled in friendship

"The world is round so that friendship may encircle it." -Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Wherever you are reading this, I hope that you take many opportunities to make  new friends and also to cherish the friends you have. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Imagine

 John Lennon was born today in 1940 and in honor of his birthday, I thought I'd share a song that he's famous for, which is really pretty it reminds me that a better future is something that can be a reality if we're willing to work towards that goal. Anyway,  wherever you're reading this, I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Love is transformative

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."-Martin Luther King Jr.

Wherever you are reading this, I hope you have a lot of love in your life and that you use it to make many friends. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Friday!

 I wish everyone the happiest of Fridays and I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A funny video

 This video made me laugh so I thought I'd share it here in the hope it brings a laugh to others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Life is to be lived

 "Life is short and it's here to be lived"-Kate Winslet

I hope wherever you are reading this, that you live life to the fullest. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

The best thing in the world

"Love is the best thing in the world, and the thing that lives the longest."- Henry Van Dyke

I truly believe love is the best thing there is and in the spirit of sharing the best thing, I send best wishes and much love to everyone now and always. 

The people that come into your life

 The way people come into your life when you need them, it's wonderful and it happens in so many ways. It's like having an angel. Somebody comes along and helps you get right. -Stevie Ray Vaughan

Wherever you are reading this, I hope you have many people that come into your life that help you and love you. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A lovely dinner

 I just had a lovely dinner with a good friend. It was nice to sit and talk and eat with her because I hadn't seen her in a while. Also, in general I think eating meals feels nicer when you are sharing a meal with good friends and family. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you have many opportunities to share a meal with someone nice. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Freedom through music

I was thinking today about how listening to music helps me feel free and this got me thinking about the song "Freedom" sung by George Michel. When I listen to it, it really does make me feel good and like dancing which is a nice feeling. Wherever you're reading this, whether it's music or something else, I hope there are things in your life that help you feel free and happy.  I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Sweet puppies

 I saw this video about puppies that made me smile because I think puppies are fun. If you are in need of cheering up, see the video below! I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Sending love

 I'm just writing to send everyone much love and best wishes to everyone now and always from me and all my Minions!!

A song for wanderers

I heard this song the other day called "This Wandering Day" and I thought I'd share it here because it emphasizes how even though people may wander, they aren't always lost. This naturally appealed to me because even though I have no sense of direction, I somehow manage to find my way home. To all the wanderers out there, I hope you always find your way home as well. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Being kind

"Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind." Henri Frederic Amiel

 

I hope that wherever you are reading this that you take many opportunities to show kindness to others and that many people around you show kindness to  you in return. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Everyone's dream is possible

 "Everyone's dream can come true if you just stick with it and work hard."-Serena Williams 

I hope that wherever you're reading this, if there's something you really want to do, especially if it can help other people, I hope you make that thing your goal and that you see it through and achieve your goal. I wish you every success and I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Unexpected gifts

 Today one of my friends gave me a gift I wasn't expecting. She knew I really like Minions so she got me some containers with Minions all over them and in the containers were some earrings. It wasn't a holiday or any specific life event day, my friend apparently just wanted to do something nice for me.  The lesson I learned from this is you never really know how much of an impact you have on people and friends are the best and nicest things to have. I hope wherever you're reading this, that you have good friends and that good things happen to you at random times because sometimes surprises can be really nice. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Life is like a movie

 "Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending."-Jim Henson

I like the idea of life being like a movie in that I think every life is a story and a journey and there's always something to look forward to in it. Wherever you're reading this, I hope that your life's story is a  happy one and/or that you can find many happy things and moments in it. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Just a song for a Friday

 I thought I'd share this happy song because it's Friday. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

 

 

New strength and new thoughts

 "With the new day comes new strengths and new thoughts"-Eleanor Roosevelt

I hope wherever you're reading this, that you have many good thoughts in each day and that each day brings you many good things. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Good things that happened today

 As part of my quest to find good things in each day, here are some good things that happened in my day

• I was able to go walking with a friend who I hadn't seen in a while as she'd been away on vacation.
• I was able to eat a nice lunch that was from a new recipe I cooked  myself and it tasted really nice.
• I wore an outfit that I hadn't worn in a while and it made me feel pretty.
  

Wherever you're reading this, I hope you can find the good things in each day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Meet with a smile

 "Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."-Mother Teresa

I hope that wherever you're reading this, that you can find many reasons to smile each day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

 

 

Finding peace in the storm

 "You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. "-Joseph R. Wirthlin

I like the fact that there is calm in the middle of a storm. That idea has helped me get through a great many things. I find that each metaphorical or actual storm I face, it helps to know that it is possible to find peace within it, whether it's through taking a deep breath or simply choosing not to feel troubled.  I hope that wherever you're reading this, that you can find the calm in all the storms you might face. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A nice walk

 Today I was able to take a nice walk down a forest trail with a good friend of mine. The sun was shining and it was just nice to be out in nature and to be with my friend.  There's something very peaceful to be in nature and so wherever you're reading this, I hope you have many opportunities to take a walk in nature, especially when you're with friends. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy National Dance day!

 It's National Dance Day and I like this day because dancing makes me happy! Thinking of this day makes me think of this video I saw of this lady dancing and I had to share it here because watching it made me smile. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you can find many opportunities to dance. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Love and chocolate

 "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."-Charles M. Schulz

Wherever you're reading this, I hope you have a lot of love in your life and even if you can't eat chocolate, I hope that you can find the sweet things in your life and enjoy them. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Being Alive

"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing." -Agatha Christie

 Whatever happens in my life I know that I am very grateful to be alive and that I can find a lot of happiness in my life.  I hope that wherever you're reading this that you can find the good things in your life and enjoy them to the fullest. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A good day

 Today was a good day because I could find good things in this day. Specifically, the weather was really nice, in my work I was able to help people and see the results of the help I gave, which was very gratifying and I was able to cook today which always makes me happy. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you were able to do things today that made you feel happy. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

It's positive thinking day

 Apparently today is positive thinking day so in the spirit of this day, I wish everyone very positive thoughts. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

One Chance

 "One Chance is all you need"-Jesse Owens

Wherever you're reading this. If there's something you want to do (especially if it helps other people) I hope you take a chance and do it. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Some music for today

 I know this day can be a difficult day, especially for people who have lost someone who was dear to them. I also know that when I'm feeling rather down, music sometimes helps me feel a bit better. So, I share this piece of music below because I think it's pretty and it helps me relax in times of need. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A lovely day

 I just got back from  having a lovely time eating at a cookout with some of the people who live in the same apartment building with me.  After the lunch I  was able to go for a walk in a nature reserve with a good friend. It was just nice to be out in nature and with my friend. The weather was really nice and it was really refreshing to walk. Wherever you're reading this, I hope that you're able to do things that help you feel refreshed. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Just getting faster!

"Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed."- Arthur Schopenhauer

Wherever you are reading this, I hope you can enjoy every age you are and live each age to the fullest. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Hope in sadness

I know this blog is meant to be about happiness but I'm going to digress a little today. When I found out Queen Elizabeth II died, this piece of music called Nimrod came into my head because it's a very British piece of music and it is sad but I think it's also rather hopeful. So I post this music here to send best wishes and much hope and love to everyone.

Be Aware and live life to the fullest

 "The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware." -Henry Miller

Wherever you're reading this, I hope you live with awareness of the joy around you. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Sending love

 I'm simply writing to send love to everyone from me and all my Minions!

Some laughter for a Monday

"Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on." -Bob Newhart

It's the comedian Bob Newhart's birthday and I saw this quote by him and I share it here because I believe laughter helps make many things better. I also saw this video of  a comedy sketch Newhart did where he pretended to be an air traffic control person. The clip made me laugh so I'm sharing it here in the hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on. Share this Quote Bob Newhart
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/bob-newhart-quotes

Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on. Share this Quote Bob Newhart
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/bob-newhart-quotes

The benfits of imperfection

"If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow."-Beyonce Knowles

 As much as I've occasionally wished I could do some things perfectly, I've found that I  do learn more from my mistakes than any successes. In some ways I think success feels nicer because of the experiences I've had when things haven't gone so well. Wherever you're reading this, if you're going through something or trying to reach a goal, I wish you every success and I hope that you don't fear failing is that can lead to better things. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A benefit of crashing

 "You take a crash, you get back up and next time you success and that's a great feeling."-Shaun White

I realize Shuaun White was talking about snowboarding and/or skateboarding in terms of the quote above but I still think it applies to life generally.  Even if people have to fall down and/or fail sometimes, perhaps it's the experiences of falling down and/or failing that helps make achieving success feel good. If you're working at something or going through something that's hard, even if you feel like you're falling, I hope you always find ways to get back up and achieve success. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Funny Friday!

I saw this video that made me laugh and so I thought I'd include it here to wish everyone a very happy Friday. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always!

A really good hug

 Never underestimate the power of a really good hug. Today I was feeling a bit down and I went for a walk. As I was walking I saw some friends of mine walking with their daughter and we got to talking. It was lovely seeing them as I hadn't seen them in a while and when they found out I was having a rough day they hugged me. I must say there really is something so nice about a good long hug. I've found that when I hug people or am being hugged, for the few seconds a hug takes, I feel really safe, like nothing bad could happen in those few seconds. It's just a really nice feeling. That's why I think hugs are best when shared. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you receive many hugs, especially in times of need. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Some beautiful music in celebration of Itzhak Pearlman

 It's the violinist, conductor and music teacher Itzhak Pearlman's birthday today and in celebration,  I thought I'd share this clip of him playing some lovely music with Yo Yo Ma. It made me feel at peace and I hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Comfort in help from friends

 "It is not so much our friends' help that helps us, as the confidence of their help." -Epicurus

 There really is something nice about simply knowing that when you're in need, there can be friends out there to help. For me, it's not so much about whether friends are there for me immediately or for sometime in the future, it's just a great comfort to know that they're accessible should I need something.  I've always enjoyed being there for people and working to help them makes me happy. So just as other people are there for me, I'm more than happy to be there for others. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you have friends in your life who you know are there for you, especially in times of need. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.  

How to have a better tomorrow

“You can't have a better tomorrow if you are thinking about yesterday all the time.” -Charles Kettering

Wherever you’re reading this, I hope that you can focus on the here and now and find many things in the present time that help you feel happier. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

May you always find peace

“He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.” -Johann Wolfgang von Goeth

Wherever you’re reading this, I hope you find peace in many places in your life and that you also have places where you feel most at home. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Sending best wishes

 I’m just writing to send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Happy Firday

Happy Friday to everyone from me and all my Minions!!!

Challenge

 "There is nothing like challenge to bring out the best in man."-Sean Connery

I like the idea that challenges bring out the best in people. I've found that although there have been events/things in my life that have been difficult,  in some ways going through those difficulties has helped me to be better as a person. Wherever you're reading this, that you can look back at all the things you've gone through in your life and feel good that you've come a long way because of going through those experiences. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Beach fun

 Today I went to the beach with my Mum which was really fun. I've always liked the sea because for whatever reason it makes me feel peaceful. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you can go to places that make you feel most at peace. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Home

 I was just thinking about how it’s lovely being home. Wherever you’re reading this, I hope you always have places or people around you that make you feel at home. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

The key word is love

“Love. Fall in love and stay in love. Write only what you love, and love what you write. The key word is love. You have to get up in the morning and write something you love, something to live for.”-Ray Bradbury 

Even if writing isn’t your thing, wherever you’re reading this, I hope you can find things to do in life that you’re passionate about. I also hope you put a lot of love into doing things that you’re passionate about. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Good friends

 I was really happy today because my friend came to visit and it was really fun to laugh and talk with them. Plus, it was especially nice since I haven’t been able to see my friend in person for a long time. So it was an especially nice time. I hope that wherever you’re reading this, that you have many opportunities to visit friends. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Character

 “Character is a journey, not a destination.”-Ogden Nash

I like the idea that you can always build  on your character until it’s the best it can be. I hope wherever you’re reading this, that you do see character as something that can always be improved and that you continuously work towards improving it. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Sweet Pandas

 I saw this video of some pandas playing with and hugging a zookeeper that was feeding them. For whatever reason it made me smile so I decided to share it here in the hope that it brings some cheer to others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

The steps of eating ice cream

 I saw this really funny video that explains the various unique stages of eating ice cream according to  babies. The video made me laugh and so I had to share it here. I send everyone (especially those who like ice cream) best wishes and much love now and always.

Exciting things

 I was thinking today about how surprises, either big or small can be really nice sometimes and exciting. For example, today it was a surprise to me that I still had some frozen blueberries in my freezer. I rather like frozen blueberries because when you put them in your mouth it's like eating a very small popsicle that melts in your mouth. They're really good.  Anyway, wherever you're reading this, I hope that you have many happy surprises either big or small in your life. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Look back and smile

 "Look back and smile at perils passed"-Walter Scott

Wherever you're reading this, I hope you can look back on your past and feel good about the fact that you've gotten through many experiences, both positive and negative, and I hope you feel stronger because of having those experiences. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

The remedy for anger

 "The greatest remedy for anger is delay."-Lucius Annaeus Seneca

If and when I get angry I find that sometimes it does help to wait before I do something to act on that anger. Most of the time when I get angry, if I can find something else to do, then I forget why I'm angry and it feels better. I hope that wherever you are reading this that you don't allow anger to overcome you and that you find peace within yourself. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Embrace your weird

"Embrace your differences and the qualities about you that you think are weird. Eventually, they're going to be the only things separating you from everyone else."-Sebastian Stan

 I've always felt as though I was rather strange but after a while I think I have become more accepting of this because that strangeness has shaped part of what I've become and in some ways I think it's helped me to focus on the good things in myself and in other people. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you can embrace the strange things about you and see how those things shape who you are and love yourself more for those things. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

On Watermelon

 I've always rather liked eating watermelon just because it makes me feel refreshed. It's nice to eat it cold in the summer and drink its juice. So I was really happy that I was able to have some watermelon today because the weather was hot today and it was nice to have something cool to eat. Anyway, I hope that wherever you are reading this, I hope you are feeling refreshed. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

An interesting experience

 So today I tried mixing coffee with hot chocolate and after drinking it I kinda felt like this guy in the clip below for most of this morning. It was um...an interesting learning experience! Wherever you are reading this, I hope have you have many experiences, especially good ones. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

 

 

 

Tango

 It's the actor Anthony Banderas's birthday and this makes me think of a movie he starred in, which was called Take The Lead where he plays a ballroom dance teacher at an inner city school. In one scene, as a way of getting his students to see that ballroom dancing can be cool, he surprises his students by dancing the tango for them with another professional dancer. I share the clip here because I think it's fun and dancing always makes me happy.I hope that wherever you're reading this, that you have many opportunities to dance in your life. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Good things in my day

 As I'm continuing to identify good things that happen in my day, here are some good things that happened in my life today.

• I was able to spend time with my Dad which is nice because I love him very much and he's currently visiting me.
• I went with my Dad to eat dinner at a restaurant I haven't been to in a long time. It was a restaurant that specializes in tapas and the food was very good.
• I started to de-clutter my apartment which was good because I feel more relaxed when things aren't cluttered and instead are in their rightful places.

Wherever you are reading this, I hope you were able to find many good things in your day as well. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

When one must

 “When one must one can.” -Charlotte Whitton

If there’s something you feel you need to do, especially if it helps other people, I hope you pursue that activity and never give up. I’m cheering for you and I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Love anyway

 “We love even when our love is not required.”-Mortimer Adler

To me, love is one of the nicest things to feel and give. Even if it’s not returned, I still find I feel better when I show love to others in my words and actions. Wherever you’re reading this, I hope you have many people in your life that you can love and that people love you in return. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

1440 opportunities

“In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a
positive impact.” -Les Brown

Wherever you’re reading this, I hope you can take as many minutes as possible to do things that help people. I also hope that each day brings you many opportunities to feel happy. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Directionally challenged

 It always puzzles me why people ask me for directions to go places. Since I have no sense of direction, if someone misguidedly asks me how to get somewhere I start by trying to tell them roughly where things are by the help of landmarks. For example, if I were to try to direct them to my apartment I'd tell them it's next to a supermarket and a gas station. If that instruction didn't help them find my apartment then (providing they have a smartphone)  I'd resort to instructing them in how to use their map app on their phone and hopefully that will empower the person to use said app to get to wherever it is they're going. I personally may not know where anything is direction-wise but I pride myself in my ability to instruct people on the finer points of using map apps! I send much love and best wishes to everyone, and most especially to directionally challenged people everywhere.

Some lovely music in celebration of Louis Armstrong

 The trumpeter and singer, Louis Armstrong was born today in 1901 and this fact makes me think of a song that I really like that he played and sang called "You Go To My Head".  It's not necessarily a happy song but for whatever reason, it does help me feel more at peace when I hear it. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you have many things in your life that give you peace. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

 

Baby laughter

 I saw this really sweet video of a baby laughing at a dog and I felt I had to share it here because it made me smile. I hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A lovely garden

 Today I was able to go with my parents to see some lovely gardens at Michigan State University  by my parents’ house. It was rather nice to walk around the gardens because seeing flowers always makes me feel more cheerful. It was also really nice to be there with my parents as they know a lot more about flowers than I do so they were able to point out things about some of the plants that I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. All in all it was a really nice outing. Wherever you’re reading this, I hope you have many opportunities in your life to see and enjoy many flowers and plants. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Finding things to enjoy

 "If you're able to enjoy something, to devote your life to it or a reasonable amount of energy, it will work out for you."-Jerry Garcia

I've found that when I found something to do that I enjoyed, even if it took work to do it, it didn't feel like work.  In some ways I've found that if I can find something to enjoy in doing difficult things, then they didn't seem so hard.  To all who read this, if there's something you're passionate about that you can do, especially if it can help other people too, I hope you pursue that activity. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Sunshine

 It's really sunny where I am today and even if that means it's really hot, I still can't help feeling cheerful when I see the sunshine. Even though I can't stay out in the heat for health reasons, seeing the sunshine is enough to help me go about my day feeling good. Wherever you are reading this, I hope that you have things in  your life that help you feel happy throughout your day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

How to win

 "You will never win if you never begin."-Helen Rowland

I hope that if there's something you haven't started yet but want to do, especially if it's something good that can help other people, I hope you choose to start doing it. I'm rooting for you and I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Friday

Happy Friday to everyone from me and all my Minions!!!

 

 

Live in the now

“With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wherever you’re reading this, I hope you choose to live in, and enjoy the now! I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Always do your best

"Always Do Your Best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret." -Don Miguel Ruiz

I was always told that I don't have to be the best, I just have to do my best. That lesson has stayed with me all my life and I've found that I haven't regretted doing the things I did my best to accomplish. It just feels good to do something and do it well. I hope that wherever you're reading this, that you always do your best and achieve the goals you set for yourself. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Life is about creating yourself

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." -George Bernard Shaw

There's something nice about knowing that it's possible to create yourself into the best that you can be. I hope that wherever you're reading this that you are able to see the good things that you are and that you have and that you develop those things into being the best that you can be. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Three good things

 In continuation of my efforts to find good things in each day, here are three good things that happened in my day today.

*I was able to go for a walk with my Mum which was really nice.

*I got to play with my parents’ dog Gus.

*I was able to help my parents make a nice dinner which we all enjoyed.

I hope that wherever you’re reading this, that you are able to find the good things in each day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

All human wisdom

 "All human wisdom is summed up in two words; wait and hope"-Alexandre Dumas

Two thing I've found that gave always been really helpful are hope and patience. There are times when I want to rush to get things done but then I ultimately find that those things get completed more accurately if patience is involved. Everything worth doing takes time. So wherever you are reading this, I hope that you always have patients to complete the goals you have and that you always remain hopeful about succeeding. I send everyone best wishes an d much love now and always.

Reunion

 Today my brother came home to visit my parents and me which is special because he lives overseas and we haven’t been able to see him in person for a while. It’s really nice being united with him and to spend time with him. Wherever you’re reading this, I hope you have people you love around you and that you can enjoy their company. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Friday!

 I’m writing to wish everyone a very happy Friday! I send everyone best wishes and wishes much love now and always.

To all who read this

To all who read this: I hope you can take time to rest, that you have many reasons to feel happy and that you can find the good things in each day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.