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Happiness, Life lessons, Self care

A benevolent world

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There are 2 ways to see the world around you:

  • Good with nice people who want the best for you
  • Difficult with mean people who want to make you miserable, cheat, or treat you poorly

As we start our day, I really believe that the way we expect it to unfold has a direct effect on how it does. “It’s gonna be a great day!” is a much better way to begin than “Ugh. Another day of work and misery.” Granted, few of us are at either extreme but it might be worth a try changing how you view the world around you. And if we all did, what a lovely place it could be.

Happy almost Valentine’s Day!

Image courtesy of Sue Thompson.

Happiness, Self care

Exercise – and pull yourself outta that funk

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When I was young, I was not an athlete. I had no coordination and couldn’t catch a ball to save my life. So I never understood why gym class was a required course. What was I “learning”?

Fast forward to today and I get it. Exercise is the key to managing stress and staying in shape. And those two things make life better, help you live longer, and keep your spirits up. Between the jump in endorphins and your reflection in the mirror, there really is no negative.

I’m still not an athlete (please don’t throw balls at me because they’ll most likely hit me in the head) but I love my daily walks and yoga – they keep me sane. So try something – volleyball, golf, swimming, rock climbing, whatever – and if that doesn’t rock your boat, try something else until you find what does. Pretty soon, you’ll be looking forward to it.

You may not get an “A” in gym class anymore but you’ll get an “A” in living. And that’s a grade worth sharing.

Happiness

Acceptance

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I made 2 New Year’s resolutions this year: gratitude and acceptance.

My thinking is that flowing with the river is much easier than fighting against it. No, I don’t mean laying down and getting run over. I mean being okay with where life takes you.

When I think back, I recall where I “planned” to be at age 30 and I was not even close. But, I was happy. So it’s important as you live your life, to recognize that some things are simply not in your control. You will make decisions that lead you down different paths. Or you will avoid decisions which will lead you to a different place. The point is, it’s all okay. We’re granted a finite amount of time here. Try not to sweat the small stuff – because in the end – it’s the fun we had that counts.

Photo courtesy of Mathias Erhart.

Happiness, Life lessons, Self care

What gifts do you have?

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We all have those negative voices in our head that can bring us down. “Why did I do that?” “What am I doing and does it even matter?” “Why does life have to be so hard sometimes?”

These are the days that we have to remember all of the gifts we have. There’s nothing like gratitude to help us see just how fortunate we are and how precious life can be. From having a place to live to hearing a bird singing in a tree, the list can be long. Some things I can think of are spending time with family and friends, being able to go for a nice walk in the park, and living in one of the best states in the country (I never get tired of sunshine and mountains).

Today, as you’re taking a shower, getting ready for the day, or grabbing your cup of coffee or tea, think about the gifts that you have. And remember, you are unique and special – you are a gift to others too.

Photo courtesy of Asenat29.

Happiness, Parenting

How do you like your stories?

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It’s been a long time since I’ve written a blog. I could blame it on COVID but it’s probably just that I ran out of things to say.

Well, I’m happy to report that I’m back – and this time with some stories. I’ve always loved books and some recent encouragement that my voice brings solace propelled me to record some podcasts. These are stories found on Project Gutenberg (Gutenberg.org) – a site with over 60K free eBooks with a focus on older works that are no longer under U.S. copyright. These are children’s stories but they are not limited to children.

For example, my latest addition is “Alice in Wonderland,” written by Lewis Carroll. Though it’s identified as a children’s book, the imagery and adventures that Alice experiences appeals to all ages. So, I invite you, your kids, your parents, and your friends, to check it out and let me know what you think. I’m happy to take requests too – I’ve already received one for “Mark Twain” so that may be up next.

I must thank my sons, Nick and Tony Capra, for their unfailing guidance and support throughout this process. Without their ongoing assistance, advice, and technical mastery, this would never have happened. A special thanks to Kateri Kramer too, for her signature artwork that exemplifies the love and hope I hope these stories bring.

Each week, I’ll add a chapter to the roster. But there are already a few for you to start with – so happy reading – and listening – to you. I hope you enjoy your story today…

Happiness, Self care

Are you a Superhero?

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Now that The Walt Disney Company owns Marvel Entertainment, there’s a myriad of movies featuring superheroes. From Batman to Wonder Woman, superheroes are becoming a big draw in theatres. According to Stephen McFeely, as reported in, “Why Superhero Movies Are Popular Right Now, According to Superhero Writers,” superhero movies are “taking over that same black hat, white hat myth-making surface” much like westerns did back in the 1950’s.

Why are we so enamored with superheroes?

I think it’s twofold:

  1. They would risk anything to save us when we’re scared or in danger.
  2. We aspire to be like them.

These “super” men and women have the guts to tackle the things we fear: bad guy, scary place, the unknown. But superheroes aren’t only in the movies. They’re the man who saves a child from despair, the firefighter who risks her life to save the pet in the burning house, the generous philanthropist, the kind soul who sees suffering and offers support.

We read and hear so much “bad” news that the good news gets buried. Focus on the good around you and it will increase. Become a part of that good, and it increases many times over.

I like to think we’re all superheroes in training. What color cape would you like?

Photo courtesy of Twanda Baker.

Community involvement, Happiness

Kindness Today and Every Day

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Random Acts of Kindness

 

Picture a body of water in which a rock has been thrown. As it drops, one ring, two rings, and many more rings surround it. This is how goodness spreads. Good thoughts, good deeds, good feelings towards others are what our nation needs most now – not just those who look or think like us, but everyone.

I believe that what we focus on is empowered and grows. With all that’s happened lately, there is sadness, helplessness, and anger in the air. Instead of focusing on what separates us, we should turn our energies to what connects us – we are all one race – the human race. So it makes sense to focus on the good that is happening around us, as well as the good that we can bring about. Random Acts of Kindness promotes looking out for each other and paying it forward. Their website suggests crocheting baby items and donating them to a hospital, sponsoring a child from another country, adding a compliment to the next email you write, and more.

A Good Example

In the 1994 movie, “Only You,” Marisa Tomei and Bonnie Hunt run out of gas in Italy while driving in circles searching for their destination. They grab a bottle of wine and begin walking to find help, finally giving up, drinking while contemplating their screwed up lives. Meanwhile, bypassing nuns kindly fill the tank, leave a note on the windshield, and drive away smiling. When the friends discover their good fortune, they’re filled with appreciation. How lovely would it be to generate that kind of happiness every day?

Uplifting Stories 

Here are some stories to help get you in the mood:

A Few Last Words

As Rabbi Harold Kushner once said, “We all have the power to give away love, to love other people. And if we do so, we change the kind of person we are, and we change the kind of world we live in.”

Photo courtesy of Heath Brandon

Happiness, Life lessons

Three Keys to Happiness

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Happiness

Three Keys to Happiness

Something occurred to me this week that may have already occurred to you. I’ve been studying the pursuit of happiness for many years but sometimes I need to be knocked in the head before I listen.

I’ve learned that there are three keys to being happy:

Happiness

Letting it Flow

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Flowing

Things are changing in my household. My oldest son is graduating high school and preparing to go to college and my other son is growing up fast.

I’m the first to admit that I don’t like change but it’s swirling around me nonetheless. After a bout of sadness yesterday, I got to thinking about what I was doing. I was remembering the wonderful days of years past: making snowmen, jumping in leaves, trips to Disney World and Legoland and beaches and pools, Christmas stockings and finger painting.

Even though those were great times, I wouldn’t want my boys stuck in them. I want them to experience life, to do crazy things and stumble but get back up and try again, to see amazing places and meet interesting people, to challenge themselves in ways I never had the guts to do.  So I decided the best thing I could do is step aside and let things flow and happen as they come. I’m sure I’ll have more setbacks but I’m also sure that there are many more NEW memories in the making – for all of us.

Photo courtesy of Mathias Erhart.

Life lessons

Take Inspired Action

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Inspiration

Are you feeling stuck? Wondering what your next move should be? Sometimes we fall into these funks that seem impossible to shake. When this happens, the best thing to do is to be kind to yourself. Give yourself some quiet time to reflect on you. What motivates you, what thrills you and makes you feel like you can’t wait to get up in the morning? It may be something as simple as spending time with your family and friends, reading a great book, playing golf, or going for a long hike. Whatever it is, do it. Do that one thing that makes you feel good because that will lead to more things that inspire you. And as you fill your day, and then subsequent days, with these inspired actions, you will soon have a life worth living.

Photo courtesy of Heidy Benoist