Links to life, happiness and meaning

We are all looking for more ways to add life, happiness and meaning to our lives. To do that we need to exchange ideas and see what works for us and what doesn’t. I’ve recently submitted an article to Carnival #19. Check out some of the great articles to help you get inspired to live a fuller, happier life today.

Topics include: Stop Worrying About Your Future, Reducing Stress, Giving Yourself Alone Time, Take Responsibility and Take Action, and Three Ways to Love What You Do.

10 cheap ways to have fun.

Loose change 2 Uploaded on October 9, 2006 by jswieringa

I’m always looking for ideas to have fun that are easy, inexpensive and of course fun, fun, fun. Here are a few I’ve tried myself. . .

1. Rent some videos and invite 5 friends to join you. It’s cheap, easy, and it’s always more fun to watch with friends than all alone. How about some popcorn or chocolate covered peanuts too?
2. If you own a pool, have a pool party. If not, how about a sprinkler party? Or have a water-balloon blast or a squirt-gun war. Cool off, be silly and enjoy yourself.
3. Visit a local or state park. Have a picnic, hike a wooded trail, swing at the free playground, bird watch, fish or play at the beach. There lots to do if you just look for it.
4. Get a library card – it’s not just for books anymore. Borrow music and movies or surf the Internet. All for free! Now that’s a deal.
5. Bargain shop. Visit flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores or even Ebay. Find your favorite movie or TV character, a playful poster or a funny movie to watch. There’s something for everyone.
6. Explore. Visit the monkeys at the zoo, touch everything at the Hands-On Museum, or watch a historical reenactment. Look at your local calendar of events for new ideas.
7. Play. Visit a mini-golf course, go bowling, roller-skate, or go for a bike ride. Go for a perfect score, see if you can beat your last record, or just try something you’ve never done before.
8. Volunteer. Join a clown troupe and visit the sick, walk dogs at the local humane society. Be a big brother or sister for the United Way. Use your interests to help someone who needs it. (I’ve done 2 out of 3 myself.)
9. Do some crafts. Paint a rock welcome sign for your porch, plant a flower garden, or use family photos to make a calendar gift for Christmas.
10. Plan a potluck party. Have an ice-cream social, Italian night or soup & salad bonanza. Pick a style of food you and your friends like and have everyone bring a dish. Food and fun go hand-to-mouth. :0)

Bonus ideas:

• Put a tutu on your dog and take him for a walk.
• Find the perfect joke then secretly tape your mom’s snort of laughter.
• Host a juggling lesson for people who have never tried it.
• Invite your grandmother to a hula-hoop competition.
• Give out bubbles, silly string or balloons at your next party.
• Play laundry basket-ball with a Nerf ball.
• Have a dance contest where you invent your own dance moves.

World Wide Day of Play at Nickelodeon

Child’s play Uploaded on February 15, 2007 by paparutzi

Kudos and congrats to the Nickelodeon channel for encouraging parents and kids to stop watching TV and to go outside and play. Nickelodeon is a much beloved channel of children’s cartoons and TV programs. Many of my nieces, nephews, and friend’s children are addicted to it.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the channel “went black” today for 3 hours in an attempt to get children to get outside and get moving. If you turn on the channel between 12pm and 3pm, all you will see a black screen with the “World Wide Day of Play” logo. A voice tells you that yes the TV is working, and to get outside and play. A written message follows and the two repeat off and on, ending with “this message will repeat, so unless you want to be bored, get up and play.”

Just seeing that blank screen with nothing on it inspired me to get up and go outside. Sure there are other channels with shows on, but the idea of a Play Day sounded like fun! Here is a link to the site which encourages a healthy lifestyle with good eating habits and plenty of exercise. After the 3-hour “blackout” there will be a 3-hour SpongeBob marathon, followed by their “Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge” finale.

What a wonderful example! Nick has proven that they have listened to the experts, and they are using their reputation as a channel for children to educate and support a healthy lifestyle with great shows and by taking action. Way to go Nick!

Smile File: A silent fool.

Goose talking to mink Uploaded on April 5, 2007 by EcoSnake

'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

Abraham Lincoln, (attributed)
16th president of US (1809 - 1865)

Dream big – maybe you too can fly!

It’s important to dream. To look into ourselves and find our deepest and fondest desires. Some dreams are big, like climbing Mount Everest or sailing around the world. Some are a bit smaller like working from home or buying a brand-new car. No matter what our current dream is, it’s important to have one.

Remember when you were little and thought you would be an astronaut, a lion tamer or a race-car driver? Live those dreams now. Go to space camp, become a zoologist or take a racing class. Let go and have fun. You’ll re-energize yourself and your life.

One thing I always wanted to do was fly. I didn’t really care how – ride a magic carpet, get Superman’s powers, or saddled on a winged-horse. This year I got my chance. My neighbor offered to fly me on his ultra-light plane. Basically it’s a hang-glider with a motor. Here's a picture:

Sure I’ve been on a commercial jet once or twice, but you’re surrounded by people and can’t see. This was totally different. I flew over the mountains of West Virginia. There was nothing but a steel frame and bucket seat between me and the ground. No sides, no windshield, nothing else. It was one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done. Here is some of the video I took with my camera:

A few things I've learned. . .

IMG_0372 Uploaded on February 7, 2006 by seveno2003

• That life is not about just getting by. To feel alive you need to be exhilarated and joyful. Surround yourself with things that make you happy and find something to smile about each day.
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• Sometimes you just need a place to hide. It can be inside like a bookstore or library, or outside in the backyard or the beach; or even just alone in your bedroom. Find your special space to get away for a while.
  
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• Being open to new experiences brings satisfaction and pleasure. Each time you try something new or learn a skill, you will expand your boundaries and redefine yourself.
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• Silence is blessed. Through writing, meditation, or a simple walk, your mind clears and your thoughts slow down. Quiet times bring discovery. If you don’t like what you find, this is a perfect opportunity to begin change.
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• Standing up for your beliefs when they differ from “everyone else’s” is hard, but being true to yourself brings you peace.
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• Life is not as miserable as TV news makes it out to be.
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• Helping others is the surest way to take your mind off your own worries.
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• Mistakes are easier to accept when you are able to learn from them. The biggest mistakes have the greatest insights.
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• Take care of yourself first. If you are confused, annoyed or irritated, take a few minutes for yourself. Even if you have to lock yourself in the bathroom, take the time to collect your thoughts and take a few deep breaths. You will be calmer and can nip aggravation in the bud – and keep it from spreading.

Everyone needs a hug!

Free hugs Uploaded on March 25, 2007 by Wallula Junction

It's wondrous what a hug can do.

A hug can cheer you when you're blue.

A hug can say, "I love you so,"

Or, "Gee, I hate to see you go."

A hug is, "Welcome back again."

And, "Great to see you! Where've you been?"

A hug can soothe a small child’s pain,

and bring a rainbow after rain.

The hug! There's just no doubt about it-

we scarcely could survive without it!

A hug delights and warms and charms.

It must be why God gave us arms.

A hug can break the language barrier,

and make your travels so much merrier.

No need to fret about your store of 'em,

the more you give, the more there's more of 'em.

So stretch those arms without delay

and give someone a hug today!

-Author Unknown-

What a wonderful discovery. First I found this fantastic poem which so clearly reflects the joy that is expressed by hugs. Then while looking for a photo to go with it, I found out about this great organization free hugs campaign.org. Make sure you watch the video – it’s inspiring! Keep hugs free forever!!!