Morgan Shamy, my agency sister and all around inspirational person, tagged me in her "My Five Happy Ways" post. I love this idea, so I decided to participate.
The rules?
Shout out to the person who tagged me
List my five happy ways
Tag five more
My shout out to Morgan...she always has a kind word to say, and looks at the bright side of things. Her blog posts inspire me. Morgan's perseverance and positive attitude will bring success, no doubt about it!
My Five Happy Ways:
(I'll copy Morgan and Mark Koopmans and point out that my spouse and family automatically trump everything)
1. Books and water--Sounds like a soggy mess, right? Sometimes. I love sitting on the beach, warm sand beneath me, water lapping at my toes, reading a book. Or I can be lakeside, reading my book, as the occasional ski boat passes by. Or I can be lounging by the pool or floating on a raft, reading a book. Either way, this is one of my favorite forms of relaxation.
2. Silver linings--Life is full of dramatic peaks and valleys. When we're in the valleys, it's sometimes tough to remember the peaks. But I'm a firm believer that there's always a silver lining. If we try hard enough, we can find something to be thankful for.
3. Social media--For me, social media is like school with a super long recess. So many opportunities to learn, while also having fun. In real life, when meeting new people, I'm not always the most outgoing person. It takes a while for someone to really get to know me. With social media, it gives me a little more confidence to be myself and not worry so much. I've met most of you this way, and I'm so thankful.
4. Sing along songs--If there was a camera in our car while my family's on the road, you'd crack up. We play our favorite songs and sing our hearts out. We even have little dance moves that we sometimes manage to do within the confines of a small car. My sons are master DJs, and take turns picking songs. We may not sound great, but boy, do we have fun.
5. Birthdays--Ever since I was little, my family has made birthdays a special celebration. That carries on even today. I don't frown at the rising number each time I have a birthday. Instead, I'm thankful I was blessed with another year with the wonderful people around me. I seriously don't even care about receiving presents, because each birthday is a gift.
(Speaking of birthdays...a special shout out to my sister Joyce, who's celebrating her birthday today!)
Who will I tag? ALL of you! Why stop short at five? If you write a five happy ways post, I'd love to know about it so I can stop by and learn more about you.
Better yet, I'd love it if you listed YOUR five happy ways in the comments.
What made you happy today? Please share!
photo credit
Julie!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you did this---it's so much fun to get inside your brain and learn more about you. YOU are an inspiration. It's seriously so refreshing coming to your blog because I know I'm always going to learn something, be inspired, and leave with a smile.
Totally laughing at your "soggy mess" comment. Too funny! And I loved all your other thoughts---so spot on with the silver linings and birthdays. And Happy Birthday to your sister!<3
(And thank you for your kind words...) :D
Thanks, Morgan! It sure was fun to do :)
DeleteThis list makes me glad I know you, Julie.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. I'm glad I know YOU!
DeleteLet's see...
ReplyDeleteYOU
Leslie
My other writer friends
My non writer friends
The munchkin next to me. I know my family trumps all, but she's just so darn cute!
Awww, that's an excellent list! Thanks, Lisa :)
DeleteI'm braver and more myself online. Good attitude about the birthdays. If not for presents, I'd ignore mine.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your sister!
Thanks, Alex! I'm glad you're yourself online. We like you just the way you are :)
DeleteSo liked your list. Surprising that you included social media but it's an awesome way to think of it.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, social media has opened up so many doors when it comes to friendships and opportunities. Heck, I'm glad I met you through social media!
DeleteI love reading on the beach! I always pick a book I've been dying to read for our camping trip. Mm, mmm!!
ReplyDeleteJill, reading on the beach is AWESOME! So relaxing...
DeleteI'm with you on social media AND my babycakes had her first birthday party this weekend.
ReplyDeleteAwww, happy birthday to your babycakes!!!
DeleteLove it! You totally nailed social media as recess - that's the perfect analogy! :)
ReplyDeleteJemi, it's fun "playing on the playground" with all of you!
DeleteSing along songs...YES!!! Who can stay mad or sad or all pouty when everyone else is singing together??? That is a perfect pick-me-up. I just love music, even when it's sung poorly. :)
ReplyDeleteSheri, I totally agree. Nothing like a great sing along song to put everyone in a good mood :)
DeleteI used to sing along to the radio and to tapes when I was a kid too. I wish I could do that now, but I commute by train and by foot; the other people on the trains and the streets might look at me funny.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Ok, sing along songs are not the best idea for a commuter train.
DeleteAloha and what a *FUN* list, Julie.
ReplyDeleteI totally dig your five - although I never thought about it, Social Media does make me happy - and I *love* your birthday one.
So true. Who wants to have a bunch of presents, but be alone to open them :)
Thanks for making me happier than I was before I stopped by :)
PS... HAPPY belated birthday, Joyce :)
Mark, thanks so much for your kind words. And thanks for creating this fun idea, which helps remind us what we're thankful for :)
DeleteBeautiful. And Happy Birthday Joyce!
ReplyDeleteBooks, water, and birthdays are some of my happy ways, too! Today is my big sister's birthday and I can hardly wait to see her and give her presents. I got her a bunch of books and a Lego salt and pepper shaker set! I love watching people open gifts I know they'll love. It's so fun!
ReplyDeleteHappy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
Great list of simple pleasures that bring you happiness. It's so nice to be able to focus on those. And happy belated birthday Joyce! Writer’s Mark
ReplyDeleteI love all of these five happy ways! I plan on spending most of my summer at the lake or pool reading. As for car singalongs, I'm nagging my friends to take a road trip just so it can be one big round of karaoke. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on water. I've always been a fish. =)
ReplyDeleteMUSIC would be my #1, probably (besides family). I can get lost in a beautiful number, and find myself millions of miles away on an adventure, gliding through the heavens, or pumped to face the world, all based on an inspired work.
Cheese is one of mine, for all the hidden and obvious implications.
Nature--especially the view from a mountain, sunset, or warmth of a sea breeze.
Hugs. Nothing better right? Especially from my littles.
Now I feel happy. Thanks for sharing and looping us all in!
I love to have my pics available, either printed out or online/downloaded of characters, places, etc. It just helps me to visualize so much better and picking out the 3 ingredients or details to list in the scene is so much easier.
ReplyDeleteAw, these are so nice! Singalongs are the best :)
ReplyDeleteHow sweet, Julie. *waves* I would list your site as one thing that makes me happy. It's always such a positive place to hang out for a few moments. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about family. None of this means anything if we're alone. I enjoy my birthdays, too, especially with all of my friends on Facebook. It's so awesome to have my iPhone blowing up with birthday wishes! Lastly, I could live weeks without food, days without water, but would curl up and die in hours if they took music away. It's what has seen me through the highs and the very lows...
Have a wonderful weekend and stay cool during this heat!
-Jimmy
Lovely to read all about you Julie! We also sing along on long drives!
ReplyDeleteSomething tells me the Musil family probably also rock some spectacular tunes in the shower. Individually of course!
ReplyDelete