One Question

Though to some this may not seem like the happiest video, there are moments in the video where I, personally, felt a rush of joy for these people. It is never easy to answer a question of a stranger, especially when the question is this personal. I don't want to say too much about the video and give it away, but I hope you enjoy it. The video has been on the site since Sunday, and, like many others, I didn't watch it because I thought 6 minutes out of my life was too long. It's worth it. I did not even slightly feel like I wasted my time. I actually watched it two more times after it was over. Take a few moments out of your life. Who knows, you might get something from it =]

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God from Frank Warren on Vimeo.

When Farm Kids Get Bored...

In the spirit of Halloween, I thought it would be appropriate to share these photos. From growing up on a farm, I understand that there are times when it is necessary to "make your own fun." To fight the doldrums and work of farm life, these kids expressed their creativity through utilizing the materials around them. They came up with quite the masterpieces! Who said art had to be on paper? With Halloween just around the corner, these fall decorations add to the spirit of the holiday. Happy Halloween!

http://planetoddity.com/when-farm-kids-get-bored/

Who Said Weddings Had To Be Traditional?

Sorry it has been so long since I have written. Summer has taken over and I got more caught up in reading and working than writing. I came across the first video the other day and I thought I would get back in the blogging mode by posting it on here. Let it load for awhile before watching it because it stalls easily. The second one someone showed me a long time ago. They are both guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Check out the creativity these people decided to throw into their wedding. I will marry the guy who lets me do something like this at my own wedding :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGoXG8E6tg4

Enjoy!

Crosby's Hat

Whether you are a Penguins fan or not, it goes without saying that the center for the Pittsburgh hockey team should be honored for his work with Make a Wish Foundation. Sidney Crosby, a man of little change, usually wears the same hat continuously and does not switch it up. However, a ten-year-old boy by the name of Bryce Cunningham realized one day as he was watching his beloved Penguins play that Crosby's hat was looking extremely tattered and dirty. Cunningham, who, at eight-years-old, developed a Spitz nevus mole on his back, and dealt with the cancer for a year as it spread to his lymph nodes. With the removal of the lymph nodes and establishment of proper treatment, Cunningham has since been cancer free. After viewing Crosby's hat, he and his father decided to have a new hat made for the boy's favorite hockey player. 

Crosby and Cunningham were supposed to meet at a Make a Wish Foundation charity event entitled "Pens and Pins," which is an annual bowling event sponsored by the foundation so children can meet their favorite Penguins players. Each Pittsburgh player is matched with a specific child to bowl with for the day. Bryce was going to play with the hockey center, but Sidney developed strep throat and was unable to attend the event. Though disappointed in not meeting Crosby, little Cunningham bowled with Marc-Andre Fleury and enjoyed the day. His father, Don Cunningham, gave the hat to a FSN Pittsburgh reporter, and requested that he give it to Crosby the next night in Toronto. 

Though Crosby is a man of habit and does not like to change up his set schedule, he decided to wear the newly made hat that the little boy and his father wanted him to wear so much. Even though the hat is a simple black hat that can be bought in any sports shop, on one side "Bryce" is stitched into the cloth and on the other side "Make a Wish" is embroidered into it. Sidney Crosby wears his special hat after every game. Don Cunningham states that even though his son does not realize the full value of this, and merely thinks of it now as "neat," he knows that one day Bryce will understand the true importance of this someday. 

Though it is often said that professional sports players are simply in the profession for the money, this shows that there are players with good intentions out on the field or in the rink. Many players participate in organizations such as Make a Wish Foundation, attempting to publicize these foundations, and not merely their winning streaks. The simple gesture of wearing a gift from a fan can publicize the goodness in someone, as Crosby has graciously demonstrated. 

Free Hugs

If you walked past a person wearing a sign labeled "Free hugs," would you hug him/her? "The average human needs 12 hugs a day in order to be truly happy. Do you get enough hugs to be happy? The Free Hugs Campaign wanted to make it possible for people to acquire their 12 hugs a day by giving away "free hugs." Equipped with a cardboard sign and willing arms, people around the world opened their arms to welcome others into them. Some gave dirty looks, while others simply ran away. However, the majority of people, even if they did not go for the free hug, smiled. They grinned simply at at the fact that someone would be insane enough to stand on a corner for hours with the only purpose in mind being to make people smile and give them 10 seconds of happiness. A hug is a simple way of making someone's day better. When someone is crying, you give them a hug. However, people need hugs even when tears are not streaming down their faces. Even happy people need hugs. Do not give a wimpy, awkward "hand pat on the back of the shoulder" hug either. Wrap your arms around that person and squeeze. Give hugs. Receive hugs. Watch this video, especially if you don't believe that free hugs create happiness. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

"We need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 hugs a day for maintenance, and 12 hugs a day for growth."

~Virginia Satir

Footprints

One night I had a dream...
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and
Across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;
One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before us,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
There was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life
This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
You would walk with me all the way;
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,
There is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why in times when I
needed you the most, you should leave me.
The Lord replied, "My precious
child, I love you and I would never 

leave you. During your times of
trial and suffering,
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."

In the hardest of times it is necessary to remember that someone will always be present in your life. You are never completely alone. Whether you are religious or not, the belief that someone is not only walking with you, but carrying you through the grief, helps relieve some of the pain. Even though it may seem like you have no hope, everyone has abandoned you, and the sadness is unbearable, you will always have someone to turn to. Do not wallow in your pain, but rejoice in the fact that someone is there to carry you through the suffering. 
                                                        

90/10 Principle

This is slightly longer than most posts but take the time to read it. The concept is very interesting and it will make you think!

Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations). 

What is this principle?
10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. 

What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. 

The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light. but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react. 

Let's use an example. You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit.

After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. 

You look forward to coming home. When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter. Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day? 
A) Did the coffee cause it? 
B) Did your daughter cause it? 
C) Did the policeman cause it? 
D) Did you cause it? 

The answer is "D". You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. 

Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "Its ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having. 

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

---

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off. Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it. 

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job. The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take outpour frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. 

Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle. It CAN change your life!!! 

Stop stressing out over everything. The little things in life are not meant to worry and fuss over. These things will only take time out of your life that you can be spending on the aspects that matter. Why worry over things that will not matter tomorrow, or even in a half hour? The next time a problem arises, remain calm and think about the best way to react. If it's possible that getting mad will make you have a bad day, STOP! Take a few breaths, and go on peacefully. Don't worry, be happy =]

A Simple Smile

She smiled at a sorrowful stranger.  

The smile seemed to make him feel better.  

He remembered past kindnesses of a friend  

And wrote him a thank you letter.  

 

The friend was so pleased with the thank you 

That he left a large tip after lunch. 

The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip, 

Bet the whole thing on a hunch.  

 

The next day she picked up her winnings, 

And gave part to a man on the street.  

The man on the street was grateful; 

For two days he'd had nothing to eat. 

After he finished his dinner, 

He left for his small dingy room. 

(He didn't know at that moment 

that he might be facing his doom.)  

 

On the way he picked up a shivering puppy 

And took him home to get warm.  

The puppy was very grateful 

To be in out of the storm.  

 

That night the house caught on fire. 

The puppy barked the alarm. 

He barked till he woke the whole household 

And saved everybody from harm.  

 

One of the boys that he rescued 

Grew up to be President.  

All this because of a simple smile 

That hadn't cost a cent.  

 

 Smiling truly does not cost a penny. It's free and it's scientifically proven to make you feel better because psychologically it tricks you into believing you are in a better mood. It's contagious as well, and will spread like wildfire if you randomly smile at a passing stranger. Smile today. Smile at your friend when you go up to greet them. Smile at a stranger. You never know what battles they may be facing. A little grin could brighten their entire day and give them a more positive outlook. Even with all of the problems in this world that make us frown, there will still always be room to smile. Find a reason to smile today, and grin away =]

Cracked Pot

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck.

 

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
 

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

 
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. 

 

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. 

 
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

 
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.


"I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house." 
 

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?"

 
"That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them."

 
"For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.

 
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

 
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
 

So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

I found this appropriate for 4/20. Even all the crackpots (some literally) have their little flaws that make them whole. Some people may believe that the flaws hinder us, but honestly, sometimes the cracks and crevices that we take for granted are the aspects that make us unique and helpful. Never look down on yourself for the little flaws you may have. Be happy that these cracks are doing good in some way or another. Maybe you will never see the positive effect your flaws have, but others do. Never doubt the beauty of your being. Be proud of your little cracks you crackpot =]

The Window

This will be a pretty short post but I read this story and thought it would make a very good post.

A young couple moved into a new neighborhood.

The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young
woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.

"That laundry is not very clean," she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the
young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?"

The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."

And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

A lot of times we see others and we automatically judge them on their physical appearances or on how they act. This is often human nature getting the better of us. Competition is a norm in society. However, we do not have to let this control our minds and lives. Whenever you pass by someone that appears different than you, take a second to think about whether you have a right to judge them or not. Maybe the aspect that caught your attention on them is the exact same thing that someone would notice about you. We all tend to be hypocrites, but we do not have to be. Watch yourself the next time you go to judge someone. You probably do not have the right to do so. Make sure your window is clean before you decide to look down on someone else's supposedly dirty window. 

Give A Compliment

Have you ever gotten a compliment from a family member or friend? Having them simply say that you look nice never fails to put a big smile on your face. It never fails to brighten your day. If a complete stranger gives you a compliment, it makes you even happier because you know that person has no obligation to tell you you have beautiful eyes, or that they like your haircut or new shoes. If even for only 10 minutes of your day, you feel a little better about yourself because someone noticed you. Can you imagine how much happier everyone would be if, every day, someone gave them a compliment? 

This works both ways. Giving someone a compliment feels fulfilling too. Try it. 

Two guys from Purdue University did just this. They tried it. Now, every Wednesday afternoon they stand out and give compliments to the students walking by. Many people might say they seem like they are just being sarcastic, but they honestly just know that people sincerely appreciate compliments. Even if they do not have a specific compliment for every individual walking by, they simply tell them to "Have a nice day." The students on Purdue's campus seem to love these guys and purposefully will walk by them every Wednesday for their free compliment.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-compliment-guys-13-mar13,0,6849324.story

The next time you are sitting next to someone in class, at work, or on the bus ride home, think about something on them or about them that deserves a compliment. Even if they shyly say "thank you" and look away apparently terrified, chances are you just brightened their day a little. If every single day you gave one new person a compliment, imagine how many self-esteems you could boost. And again, this probably won't change the world, but it will definitely put a smile on many faces. It might even make you feel slightly better about yourself that you made someone happy. Try it, I dare you!

Think of Something That Always Makes You Happy...

You just smiled didn't you. Even if you did not, the thought made you remember a person, place, time, object, smell, or event that made you grin on the inside. For that brief instant, you probably felt a specific emotion, known as happiness, just by simply thinking about it. It is part of the human desire to want to be happy. However, we are constantly surrounded by unhappy news, people, and thoughts that create a state of sadness in the world we live in today. It does not have to be this way. Even with a simple blog such as this, a little slice of bliss can be enkindled in people. No, it probably will not make the world a better place, but it may put a smile on some faces. Some of you may think of this as childish, but honestly, what is immature about being happy? Since this is just the first blog, I thought I would leave everyone with a forward I got a long time ago of different "natural highs" that were meant to create a little peace and give you something to ponder. Just think about each specific number individually, and hopefully it will spark a smile, a memory, or simply a reflection. Enjoy!

1. Falling in love. 
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts. 
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket.
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail. 
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road. 
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside. 
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer. 
11. Chocolate milk shake (vanilla or strawberry). 
12. A bubble bath. 
13. Giggling. 
14. A good conversation. 
15. The beach. 
16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter. 
17. Laughing at yourself. 
18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you. 
19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers. 
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful. 
23. Laughing at an inside joke with friends.
25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep. 
27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones. 
29. Playing with a new puppy. 
30. Having someone play with your hair. 
31. Sweet dreams.
32. Hot chocolate.
33. Road trips with friends. 
34. Swinging on swings.
35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger. 
36. Making chocolate chip cookies.
37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies. 
38. Holding hands with someone you care about.
39. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change. 
40. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you. 
41. Watching the sunrise.
42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day. 
43. Knowing that somebody misses you.
44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply. 
45. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.
46. An unexpected hug.