A Year of Good Things

Well, believe it or not, it has been a year since I started my blog! On June 1, 2010 I promised to write about something happy every week day for one year. Sometimes I had to dig deep to find happiness on a gloomy day. Some days were not happy, but I was always able to find a positive to talk about. Sometimes, I had to fit writing my blog into the end of a very busy day or the early morning prior to a busy day. Somehow I managed to do it, and I think I proved that you can “fool” yourself into being happy just by pretending you are. Along the way, I received many comments and I appreciated each and every one. I am amazed that I have had over six thousand views on my blog! When I check the stats, I find it incredible that people from all over the world have been reading my blog.
I will continue to write in my blog, but not every day. I will try to update it often, and I will continue to find positive things to write about. For those of you in the Prince Albert area, I now have a weekly column in the PA Shopper called (of course) “Through Rose Coloured Glasses”. If you are not in the Prince Albert area, you can access weekly editions of the Shopper at http://princealbertshopper.com. Between my blog and my column, I hope to continue to provide positive and happy thoughts and hopefully create an alternative to the bad news we seem to hear daily.
Looking at life through rose coloured glasses. . . it's a good thing!

Why Good Things Happen To Good People

I came across a book today called "Why Good Things Happen To Good People" by Jill Neimark and Dr. Stephen Post. Neimark is a science journalist, novelist and poet. Post is a bioethicist. They wrote the book together because they believe that giving is good for you. They claim that giving protects your physical and mental well-being. They profess that while you can't change the things that happen to you or the unkindness of others, you can create your own happiness and take care of your health through acts of generosity!

Together, they interviewed dozens of people who had suffered unimaginable fates including paraplegics, Holocaust survivors, and people who had had horrific childhoods. Those survivors who found a way to help others overcame their hardships and lived happier, more fulfilling lives than survivors who were not as generous. After interviewing people who had rebuilt their own lives by giving to others, Neimark and Post are more convinced than ever that we can make our own happiness and the best way to do so is by being generous to others. Being happy by giving to others, even is life has dealt you a difficult blow. . . it's a good thing!

The Brave and The Not So Brave

Sometimes things happen that make you feel braver than others. That happened to me today in the dentist’s office. Those who know me, know that I am not a very brave “go to the dentist” type person, and today was no exception. I had to have some weird dental surgery done (which is another story, but not a happy one so it has no place in this blog). As I was sitting in the waiting room, breathing slowly and convincing myself that everything was going to be ok, a muscular tall man in a Corrections Canada uniform walked into the clinic. The receptionist handed him a form to fill in and he brought it to the waiting area where he sat in the chair next to me. As he filled in the form, I noticed his hands were shaking. I naturally assumed he had just had some type of life-threatening event at the penitentiary and he was still recovering from an adrenal rush which was causing his hands to shake. I was then called into the office and as I sat in the chair waiting for the dentist to come in, I heard the corrections officer being brought into the room next to mine. He said to the dental assistant “I haven’t been to a dentist since the last time I was here”. She replied, obviously looking at his chart, “That was a few years ago”. “Yeah, I know”, he said “I don’t like coming to see you guys.” “Yes, we’ve been known to make grown men cry” she replied, I suspect only half-jokingly. The corrections officer went on “My teeth are probably in really bad shape because it’s been so long, but I keep putting it off.” in a voice that sounded shaky. “Well” she said, let’s have a look. Open your mouth” She then said “No, really, you have to open your mouth so I can have a look”. It was slowly beginning to occur to me that perhaps he had not just had a crisis involving an outraged inmate high on some type of inhalant. Was it possible that this man who was obviously in top physical shape and who deals every day with the worst criminals in our system – people no one else would be brave enough to deal with – is afraid of a little dental work? I found that hard to believe, but he certainly caught my interest and my ears perked up listening for more details. As a side benefit, it took my mind off my own fear.

A while later, I heard the dentist declare that his teeth were fine and he would require a cleaning and nothing more. The dental assistant, obviously having dealt with many children and grown men in her career, said, “OK, this is what I’m going to use on your teeth first, it doesn’t hurt it just kind of vibrates. Hold out your hand and I’ll show you how gentle it is”. A couple seconds, later, she said “C’mon, hold out your hand. I promise it doesn’t hurt”. He obviously allowed her to show him because she said to him, “See, it’s ok” to which he quietly replied “I guess so”. By this time, the Novocain in my mouth was working very well, and that, along the conversation in the next room, was causing me to feel braver and braver by the minute.

In the next room, the dental assistant was still cleaning the teeth of the corrections officer and asked him “You doing ok?” There was silence for a couple beats. Then she said “It’s ok to say no”. Silence again, then a quiet “No”. She chuckled and said “You know what, we are almost done here, I’m sure you will be just fine”. By this time, I had a huge smile on my face, albeit a crooked one because of the freezing. I wondered what the inmates back at the penn would think if they only knew.

My dentist came into my room then and asked me “Are we ready to go in here”. I said “Yes” and thought to myself, “You bet – bring it on. I am probably your bravest patient in the clinic right now”. Realizing that being afraid of the dentist is ok (even if you are a six foot, muscular, athletic corrections officer) . . . it’s a good thing!

A Good Day

I was driving to work this morning when I stopped for a red light in front of a school. A young girl walked across the street holding hands with a young boy who no doubt was her little brother. There was just something nice about this big sister caring for her little brother in that way. They both had smiles on their faces, and they put a smile on my face as I am sure they did for the other driver beside me. The older sister was making sure that nothing happened to her baby brother and he was happy having her take the lead. Somehow this show of love between brother and sister – the two of them walking together hand in hand – started my day on the right track. Looking at the two of them on their way to school as they walked in front of my car, I just knew I was going to have a good day. Taking time to appreciate little things like he love between a little girl and her brother . . . it’s a good thing!

Bringing Joy - One Picture At A Time

The people in the southern US who have survived the many terrible tornadoes this year have lost so much. Many no longer have homes or possessions. While the world has responded with donations and money for shelter, clothing and food, which is of course much needed. However, one person has done an amazing thing. It is a small in comparison with all that has been lost, but it is also huge. Patty Bullion lives in Lester, Alabama, which has escaped the storms of 2011. One day, in the aftermath of the April 27 storm, Patty noticed a piece of paper in the yard of a relative’s home. She picked it up and realized it was an ultrasound picture of a baby. Patty was adopted at the age of two and has no baby pictures of herself, and she immediately knew that she wanted the woman in the picture to have this souvenir back. She then began to look under trees, along roads and in fields and collected more and more pictures. There were old pictures, pictures of grads, weddings. . .so many memories, lost in the winds of the storms. She started a face book page called “Pictures and Documents Found After the April 27, 2011 Tornadoes”. She posted the pictures she had found and invited others to do the same. Eventually over 3,700 pictures were posted. Families who had lost everything began to identify the pictures on her site and gratefully claimed them back. Through these families, Patty now knows that some of the pictures she collected flew over 130 miles. What an amazing person Patty is. She has given back to people some of the memories which were lost and which they will now once again be able to pass on to future generations. However, when they pass on these pictures, as well as the story of the image itself, they will also tell of the journey of the pictures in the tornadoes of 2011 and of the woman who saved and returned them. Special people who go out of their way to make the lives of others just a little better . . . it’s a good thing!

Water Babies

My boys were water babies. They both loved the water and spent hours either in pools or at the lake. We spent many week-ends at the family cabin enjoying sun and water. For them, it didn’t matter if the water was cold or not. That did matter for me, and I spent many hours on the beach, wrapped in a blanket, while they played in the water. Why the stroll down the watery memory lane? I just read an article which said that according to studies done, babies who were allowed to splash around in a pool when they were two to seven months old develop better motor skills – and keep them. These children have better eye-hand coordination and better balance in kindergarten than those who had not. My kids did not swim at such a young age, but I found the article very interesting. The study also showed that babies who swam at an early age establish a strong relationship with their parents. There is no doubt that is true. As parents we spent a lot of time in the water with our kids and created many good memories. Raising water babies . . . it’s a good thing!

Zeus

Last week, my son TK got a puppy – a Rottweiler he named Zeus. We always had a family dog throughout TK’s childhood. Though he always loved the family dog, he always wanted a Rottweiler, and many times tried to talk me into allowing him to have one. I told him I did not want a Rottweiler in my house, that I disliked that breed of dog and that he would have to wait until he had his own home to have a Rottweiler. Well, that is exactly what he did. He now has his own home and, sure enough, a new Rottweiler puppy was in his plan. In fact, renos in his new home have been put on hold so that he can fence his yard for Zeus. TK planned the arrival of his new pet with days off of work so that he could spend time with him. On Saturday, he returned to work for a twelve-hour shift and worried about leaving the puppy alone for that long. He asked if we would “dog-sit” for him, which we did. As I have gotten to know this little dog over the past week, I have slowly but surely been falling in love with him. He is so intelligent that you often only have to teach him something once and he knows it! I think one of his most endearing qualities is how stubborn he is. When TK first tried to walk him on a leash, Zeus showed his dislike for the leash by simply flopping down on the floor and refusing to move (all ten pounds of him)! TK literally dragged him across the floor and he still refused to walk. I secretly thought to myself, “Oh, my son, you so deserve each other!” (Well, ok, not so silently – I mentioned this fact to my son – several times). Zeus has come to know each of us already in one short week, as we have come to know him too. His personality is becoming more apparent as each day goes by. I think we have found a new member for our family. Falling in love with a dog you were sure you were going to hate . . . it’s a good thing!

Drug-Free Pain Relief

“Drug-free pain relief”? Sounds too good to be true, but scientists at the University of Georgia have just released a study claiming just that! And even better is the fact that a natural pain killer is right in your kitchen. Ginger can help soothe the pain of inflamed muscles. Volunteers in the study did bicep curls for eleven days. After the gruelling workout, they were given 2 grams of ginger. The lead researcher said that they found the ginger to be at least as effective as over-the-counter pain relievers. The researchers acknowledged that ginger root has been used for centuries for colds and upset stomachs. Now they believe they have found a new use for it! Finding pain-relief for aching muscles right in your kitchen . . . it’s a good thing!

The Journey

Today my sister and I met with the director of our Mother’s care home. He had asked for a meeting with us to go over Mom’s care plan now that she has been there a couple months and has settled in.
It is a painful process having to place your mom in a special care home. Our hearts ache as her personality and intelligence is robbed by Alzheimer’s disease. The role reversal is difficult to get used to. In our lifetime, our roles have gone full circle. The mother who took care of us when we were children is now becoming the child. Just as she used to meet with our teachers for parent-teacher interviews, now we, her children, are meeting with the people entrusted with her care, to discuss the best plan of action for her. This cruel, unrelenting disease is taking our mother away, leaving a shell of who she used to be with a new personality clouded by vague memories and confusion. We struggle to come to terms with what is happening as she begins to forget her grandchildren, no longer understands finances and is no longer able to live on her own.
How fortunate we are that there are angels among us who step forward with love, patience and understanding to take care of our loved ones when they need it the most. How would families cope if not for the special care aids, LPNs and nurses who know what to do and how to care for our confused loved ones? While we struggle to understand what is happening to our mother, her care-givers wrap their love around her and provide her with a safe environment. All the things that are new to us, they have seen before and handle with caring hands and knowledge. Not only do they care for Mom, but they are teaching us as well about this disease and about growing old with dignity, no matter what. We are so grateful to have a safe place for Mom where she is cared for by these special people. This is a new road for my sister and I, one that we walk with our mother. Luckily, we will be guided by the experience and knowledge of others, and it is not a road we will have to travel alone. Those who care for the elderly and the confused with love, patience and a sense of humour no doubt earn their place in Heaven here on earth. For us, the families of those they care for, they are already angels who have our appreciation, respect and admiration. Angels who care for the elderly and the confused when families are not able to. . . it’s a good thing!

Biking For Brain Power

I love riding my bike. Our city has a wonderful walking/biking trail. There is nothing I love more than riding my bike on that trail on a summer evening, feeling the wind blowing through my hair. What a relaxing way to end a busy day. Now I find out that not only bike riding good for you physically, it is also good for increasing your brain power . . . especially in females! The Spanish National Research Council in Madrid has concluded that walking or biking at least minutes to school gives girls an academic edge. The Council looked over 1,700 test scores from urban teens. They found there is a definite link between exercise and better grades. It was even more pronounced in girls. So ladies, grab your bikes to improve your body and your mind. Biking for brain power . . . it’s a good thing!

The EXTREME Importance of Fun

Dr. E. Christine Moll of Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. has released a study that proves it is “extremely” important to have fun! Baby boomers are known for leading an “all-work and no-play” life style, and Dr. Moll says that has to stop. She says fun and leisure is just as important to one’s well-being as keeping proper cholesterol levels and getting exercise. She asks the question, “Why was the last time you did something just for fun or just for the health of it?” Dr. Moll states that her definition of leisure as anything that brings you personal joy. She says “For our physical, mental, spiritual and cognitive health, leisure is a necessity, not a luxury. It airs out your brain and renews your spirit”. Having fun can be anything from reading a book, going for a walk or enjoying a meal with your family. So, go ahead and have fun, you will be healthier for it. Having fun because it is extremely important . . . it’s a good thing!

That Hat!

Two weeks ago, millions of people watched the Royal Wedding. Those same millions of people also laughed (or recoiled in horror) at the hat Princess Beatrice was wearing. It was designed by Britain's leading milliner, Philip Treacy. He designed many of the hats worn to the royal wedding, but none drew the ridicule that Beatrice's hat did. In fact, he defended the hats, saying he thought Beatrice looked gorgeous at the wedding. While the public dislike for her hat could have been a devastating event in Beatrice's life, it has now become a positive because of a very clever decision on her part. She has taken the notoriety of the hat and created an opportunity to raise funds for UNICEF and Children In Crisis. The hat will go up for sale on eBay soon and it is expected to raise a great deal of money for the charities. Good for Princess Beatrice who obviously believes that when the world hands you a lemon, you make lemonade! Taking a negative and turning it into a positive . . . it's a good thing!

Friday the 13th

If you harbour a fear of Friday the 13th, you have parashevidekatriaphobia. There is really no explanation as to why people fear this date. Even those who fear it have no idea or explanation why they think that way. People just fear this day for no concrete reason - they just do. However, this superstition is widespread. Most hospitals and hotels have no room 13. Many hotels do not have a 13th floor - the floors skip from 12 to 14. Simalirly, some airline terminals do not have a gate 13. President Franklin Roosevelt never travelled on the 13th day of any month. Nor would he host 13 guests. President Herbert Hoover also had a great fear of the number 13, as did Napoleon. Personally, I am ok with Friday the 13th. I have never had anything happen to me that hasn't happen on any other day. Actually, it is sort of exciting to make it through that day without anything bad occuring. Taking the fear of Friday the 13th with a grain of salt . . . it's a good thing!

The Perfect Ice Cream Cake!

Dairy Queen in Toronto has set a new Guinness World Record. The employees constructed the world's largest ice cream cake on Tuesday. Lucky Torontonians were served free slices of the huge creation. The cake consisted of 22,000 pounds of ice cream, sponge cake, icing and oreo crumbs. The old record was set in Beijing in 2006 and it weighed in at 17,637 pounds. The cake was created on site with the first slab of ice cream poured onto a platform, then covered with 40 pound trays of oreos. Icing and sponge cake are added next and the process started over again creating a higher and higher cake. After two hours of serving the huge cake, there was still plenty left. Having your cake - especially a very, very large one - and eating it too . . . it's a good thing!

Wedded Bliss

This has to be the sweetest love story ever! Rose Pollard Lunsway, ninety years old, is shown here marrying Forrest Lunsway on his 100th birthday! Rose and Forrest met in the early 1980 on a blind date at a Seniors centre. They danced the night away. They have been together ever since, but Rose would never agree to marry Forrest. She liked things the way they were. She finally told him that she would marry him on his 100th birthday and he took her up on it. They live in a seniors complex and, with the help of the complex director, they arranged for a secret ceremony. They invited their friends and family to what they thought was a birthday part for Forrest. They walked in to find they had been invited to a wedding! The couple is on their way into the Guinness World Book of Records for being the oldest couple to get married. Have a look at the beautiful couple at this site: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/04/oldest-newlyweds-rose-pollard-forrest-lunsway_n_857312.html?ref=fb&src=sp Knowing that you are never too old to fall in love . . . it's a good thing!

A Long Goodbye

Because of Mary Hart, I have come to realize that I LIKE long goodbyes. Mary is the co-host of ET - a job she has had for 30 years! She joined Entertainment Tonight in 1981, after she herself was interviewed by the show. The producers liked her so much, they decided to offer her the co-host spot and Mary has never looked back. She announced in August, 2010 that she would retire during her 30th year. Retirement date is drawing near and Mary's final show will be on May 20. That means we have had nine months to say good-bye to her and get used to the idea of ET without Mary Hart. I really like this long, slow good-bye. One has plenty of time to get used to the change. It's been nice to see a long chain of entertainers pay special tribute to her. So unlike CNN. I hate how CNN changes its anchors without preparing its viewers for the change. Aaron Brown had his program for years and then one evening he was gone and Anderson Cooper had his own show in Brown's old spot. Don't get me wrong, I really like AC 360 but I would have liked the opportunity to ease into saying farewell to Brown. Now, I'm sort of afraid to get too attached to Anderson. What if they yank and replace him without a warning? No, I like ET's style much better: saying goodbye slow and easy! Having the opportunity to say goodbye months before the actual departure . . . it's a good ting!

Mother's Day Thoughts

I hope that your Mother’s Day was special, whether you are a mother or a child – or both. I think it is important that we celebrate the love we feel and the bond we have. Every daughter has that special connection with their mother, but for some people, it goes beyond the mother-daughter bond. Sometimes, mothers and daughters are each other's best friends. Who could be a more perfect friend than your mother? I love going out to events or shopping, and seeing mothers and daughters out having fun together. I think it is wonderful when I hear someone say they call their Mom two or three times a day, because they have so much to say to each other. Those fortunate women who develop a friendship with their mothers have the best of all worlds - they have a mother with her unconditional love and support and a friend who is fun to be with and shares the same interests, all in one person. Some relationships remain strictly mother-daughter and that is fine. However, the truly lucky daughters are the one who have the good fortune of being best friends with their mom. Enjoying Mother's Day and celebrating our relationships with our mothers . . .it's a good thing!

Harvey Ball

Who can look at a "Happy Face" and not smile? After all these years, after seeing it time and time again, we still love its little yellow face! Over the years, many variations have appeared - from the original yellow face to various colors to pencil-scrawled faces. Have you ever wondered where the Smiley Face came from? Contrary to popular belief, the happy face was not invented by Forrest Gump! It turns out that the original happy face was created in 1963 by Harvey R. Ball, who was a freelance artist in Worcester, Massachusetts. He never copyrighted the iconic symbol and this has resulted in its being in the public domain and it has been used and modified over the years.

Harvey Ball became concerned about the over-commercialization of his Happy Face. He developed the idea of devoting one day a year to smiles and declared the first Friday of October to be World Smile Day. He used his Happy Face as the World Smile Day symbol. That day would be dedicated to smiling at people and performing acts of kindness. The first World Smile Day was held in 1999. The theme that year, and every year since, has been “Do an Act of Kindness. Help One Person Smile”.

After Harvey passed away in 2001, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was formed and it continues as the official sponsor of World Smile Day. This day has been celebrated every year in many locations around the world, but nowhere is it more celebrated than in Harvey’s home town. On that day, The Foundations hand-delivers “You’ve Been Smiled” certificates to residents of Worcester who have been nominated by others. The Foundation has now developed a site from which you can send an electronic “You’ve Been Smiled” certificate to anyone in the world. You can also download a free copy of “The Smiley Face Song”! How perfect is it that the smiley face should be used in the pursuit of kindness?

Who cannot love a foundation with a name like “World Smile”? You cannot help but smile just saying it. Thank you Harvey Ball for giving us the Happy Face! How dull our lives would be without it. Putting on a happy face . . . it's a good thing!

Wet and Cold . . . But Not Guilty!

Have you ever felt guilty about something you thought you had done? Don’t you hate that awful feeling in the pit of your stomach? What if you found out that you had not done anything wrong after all – wouldn’t that be a relief? That is perhaps how a man in New York is feeling these days. The man (whose name was not released) was driving his car in New York state, when he was pulled over by the police. To the amazement of the law officers, the man jumped out of the passenger side of the vehicle and ran toward the Hudson River. He reached a bridge and jumped into the river! The river current carried him some 250 feet at which point he was able to grab onto a branch, where he stayed until the police arrived and pulled him out of the water. He explained to the police that he thought there was a warrant out for his arrest. To their amusement, after calling it in the police informed him that there was no warrant out for him at all! (The man was, no doubt, not as amused as the police). Wet and cold but no longer feeling guilty, the man was brought to a nearby hospital for examination and released. Finding out your guilty conscience is actually guilt-free . . . it’s a good thing!

Singin' In The Rain

It rained today. I know some people become depressed when it rains. I don't. I love how clean everything is and how green the grass and trees are after a rain. But more than anything, I love the first rain of the spring - the first one after all the snow is melted. There is a layer of dull dust and dirt on everything after the snow is gone. The newly exposed grass is yellow. The whole world looks gloomy and grimy. Then the rain comes and everything changes. The dust is washed away, the streets are clean, the sidewalks are shiny and the grass is beginning to turn green. The air is fresh. Just like Gene Kelly, pictured here, who is "Singin' In The Rain", I welcome the downpour as it washes away the final remains of winter. Tomorrow, after the rain is over, a new clean, green world will emerge. When the sun comes up, it will shine on clean city streets, renewed trees, growing grass and happy people. Enjoying the cleansing rains of spring . . . it's a good thing!

Election 2011

Last night was an interesting night – to say the least. This election will go down as the one most difficult to predict. Four weeks ago, the thought was that the NDP would lose some of their seats, and that either the Liberals or the Conservatives would form a minority government. What a different a few weeks can make! As amazing as last night was as the results began to come in, the next few weeks and the next four years will be very interesting. Canada has never had such a fervent right-wing majority government or such an ardent left-wing official opposition. These ideologies will no doubt clash in Parliament. Can two parties so far apart in philosophical beliefs find common ground on any issue? Would we even want them to? Perhaps Canadians want the politicians who are representing them to stand firmly on their dogma and tow party lines. Possibly, voters were determined to send politicians to Ottawa who were firmly committed to the beliefs of the party they represent and that may be why the Liberals were so decimated. It just might be that there was no room for centrist politicians in yesterday’s election nor will there be in our new political landscape. This is new territory for us all. The next four years will be interesting, indeed. Keeping an eye on our politicians in Ottawa . . . it's a good thing.

Make Sure You Vote Today

If you think you are not going to bother voting today, turn your tv on and have a good hard look at what is happening around the world. In the Middle East, South America and Africa, people are protesting, demonstrating and being killed in their quest for the freedoms we take for granted. They are literally having to put their lives on the line for the right to vote and the right to live in a democracy. People are tortured and imprisoned by dictators who will do whatever they can to ensure that democracy will not exist in their country. If you have the chance, speak to immigrants who have recently become Canadians. If they will talk about it, ask them to tell you what the horrific experiences they suffered under dictatorships. Ask them how they feel about their newly-found right to vote. They will all tell you, some with tears in their eyes, how fortunate we are to live in a democracy where we can choose our leaders and what a wonderful thing it is to be able to vote for your government every four years. They will also tell you they cannot believe how we take our freedom for granted. Don't for a moment think that they will not be voting - they know far too well what it means to not have the opportunity to vote. So, take a few moments today and exercise your right - and freedom - to vote. Show the world that Canadians are proud to live in a democracy and we all take an active part in deciding who our leaders will be. Rocking the vote . . . it's a good thing!