Well, okay. Full disclosure? Last week was not my very favorite week in all of history (aside: my grandson says “frayvrite” and it’s lodged in my brain that way now, so I hear his cute voice every time I type that word.) I’ve been reading a lot about the science of happiness and one thing I keep running into is this idea that the happiest people are not necessarily those whose lives are going perfectly, but rather those who have learned to quickly and automatically identify the good and beautiful in a world full of hard and ugly. I’m trying to learn to scan my surroundings for happiness instead of scanning for threats and, it may sound like a flimsy strategy, but it’s helped me through some really rough days so I’m keeping it.
I really AM going to write more this week, but for now, here are Five Happy Monday Things.
- Arugula – because it’s delicious, but also sounds like a sunny vacation spot.
- Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm in every single color.
- Fresh starts
- Omnifocus for managing the fresh starts.
- Go, Broncos!
- Bonus: Tonight is Grandma Fun Night at my house! Grey & Finn are coming to make Valentine cookies and Grandma Fun Night is my frayvrite.
What’s making your eyes light up this week?
With hope,
Bo
This snack: http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article/1689
This book: http://www.amazon.com/Still-Writing-Perils-Pleasures-Creative/dp/0802121411
This perspective: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2016/01/what-happened-after-we-got-the-diagnosis-about-brokenness-suffering-joining-the-club/
This in my bath: http://www.philosophy.com/perfumed-shampoo-bath-and-shower-gel/falling-in-love-shower-gel,en_US,pd.html?q=falling%20in%20love
This forecast: http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USNV0049:1:US
🙂
Two big Happy thoughts to get me through the week.
First; our youngest (Parker) becomes an adult on Wednesday. How did that happen?
And second, we’ll be in Bend on Friday to see our Grandson Maxx whom we haven’t seen since Labor day weekend.
Bonus happy thoughts: Going to church at Westside at some point as well.
Bo,
A couple years ago a friend challenged me to see “happy” in every day for 100 days. So I accepted.
Here’s how it works. Every day find something that makes you happy – and take a picture of it. Post it on your fb wall as:
Day 1: then the description
#100happydays
I was amazed at how much God showed in those 100 days.
Blessings to you.
Kris
I really love this idea… mine would have to be;
I get to meet with a new blogger friend tomorrow in my favorite coffee house, cause what, I ask, is better than making friends over yummy food and hot beverages and….
The way the winter sun finally shone in through my window by my desk, enabling my dull-sky-weary brain to work a little better today.
Keep having happiness moments, Bo!!!
Bo My little sister Jane Williams has shared her love of you w I with me so of course I love I love you .too! Xox Jeane in San Diego
I was just introduced to your story and your website tonight. My sister sent me the link and she does live there in Bend, OR, as well. To be brief, a life-long family friend was just diagnosed with ALS and she mentioned your site. The family is still trying to understand what they were just told. I will mention this site to them. Thank you for all your work with ALS and the care for them. The man who was diagnosed was a vietnam vet and a faithful church member for decades. His wife of 48 years is trusting the Lord through this and already feels a peace from Him. Thanks again for your work.
It’s been 91 days since my husband died…and I always read your posts with care knowing you are a bit ahead of me on this journey. Strangely, I also have been recording five items to be grateful for each morning in my prayer journal. God’s provisions are amazing even in the midst of heartache and darkness. Keep writing and sharing your story. Hugs!
Well said, Bo. I identify with so much of what you write. Hubby and I eventually learned – instead of focusing on every searing piece of spread-of-cancer news – to focus on what was left. What do we still have, in this one irreplaceable day, to be thankful for? Much.
Sometimes …late at night I go here just to read beautiful words that almost always wash my eyes with tears and create new perspective. I love “Saying YES to Snow”. I love that you love this little mountain town as much as I do. Thank you for your words of peace and comfort.