50 Ways 2 B Happy

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• Caity August 2, 2009, 8:14 am

  I wanted to comment, but I don’t want to enter to win Jannie’s CD because I already own it. Let someone else win it. That being said…

  When are you the most happy?
  I think that I am happiest when I am singing. Whether I am leading the song at Mass, singing for other people in a concert hall, or just singing by myself in my little apartment or in the shower, I just feel so amazing.

  How do you bring yourself up when feeling down?
  Well, one of things that I do is listen to music. I truly believe that music has the power to affect moods and emotions so effectively. Another thing I do is sing myself but that can be dangerous because I tend to sing sad or melancholy songs when my mood is similar. One of the most important things I do is talk to my husband. He can always cheer me up no matter what.

  To me happiness means_______________.
  Too much to fit in one little sentence. It is all the little things that mean so much like the breeze, prayer, love, friends, rainbows, singing, music, blue skies, flowers, animals, smiles, children giggling and playing, reading beautiful stories, going on adventures, being spontaneous, creativity and learning, and so much more!!

  I love this post. 😀

• Hayden Tompkins August 2, 2009, 8:21 am

  Look at pictures of cute babies! (Or kittens or puppies…basically anything with unadulterated CUTENESS.)

• The Gooroo @ iBlogPlanet.com August 2, 2009, 8:59 am

  Haha! That kid is cute. Great list by the way — wouldn’t have said it differently myself.

• Carolynn August 2, 2009, 8:59 am

  Ha! I was all set to answer your questions about being happy in my most profound way, when I was distracted by the title of the CD by Jannie. *chuckling to myself*

  I remember sitting, many years ago, with my grandmother of Ukrainian descent. She would have been in her 80’s at the time. In her broken and heavily accented English, she told me how relieved she’d felt when the hospital called to tell her that her (2nd) husband had, after many months of illness, finally passed away quietly. She said she was finally able to rest and, that night, had slept so peacefully.

  “I’d like to have another man around the house.” she said. She paused for a moment of reflection and then said, “I’d put his bed in the garage.”

  My dear, spirited grandmother will be turning 100 in January (!)

  Thanks for twigging that memory. It always makes me Happy. Hey! Waddaya know. I’ve come full circle. *grin*

• Jannie Funster August 2, 2009, 10:06 am

  Whoa, I already have some of Jannie’s CDs, so make sure not to pick me! 🙂

  Happiness for me is a cup of joe, lots of hugs, the song of the wind in the trees, a rice krispie square straight from the freezer, a letter from a friend, blog comments, and many many many more. Simple things.

  btw, Caity is an extremely gifted singer, with an absolute angel’s voice, on a par with Sara McLaughlin’s.

• Hilary August 2, 2009, 10:16 am

  Hi Tess .. Jannie’s CD .. I need a man .. just don’t think I could cope at the moment .. and as I don’t have a garage to follow Carolynn’s grandmother’s recommendation .. it’s a little tricky!

  Just make people smile, live life – we have a life, .. enjoy your weekend with the family .. all the best
  Hilary Melton-Butcher
  Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

• Positively Present August 2, 2009, 11:47 am

  What a great list!! 🙂 I think all of these are GREAT ways to be happy. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

• Giovanna Garcia August 2, 2009, 12:24 pm

  Hi Tess
  I love this topic. 🙂 and the baby picture is so cute, it made me happier just by seeing her.
  I am the happiest when I am just being me and if I can inspire a person along the way!? That is awesome! 🙂
  Many Blessing to you.
  Giovanna Garcia
  Imperfect Action is better than No Action

• jonathan figaro August 2, 2009, 2:14 pm

  Great post. Especially the one about the big tip. I never usually see people leave a large tip. I think by doing this, it allow you to give someone the reward they truly deserve. Many people don’t realize how hard it is to serve people at a restaurant. It take a lot of work and mots of the employees don’t get the respect they deserve. By leaving a large tip, it wil truly make them happy.

• Stacey Shipman August 2, 2009, 2:36 pm

  I am most happy when I’m spending time with the people I love – my husband, sister, parents, niece, nephew, friends – connecting in person and sharing a lot of laughs.

  I pick myself up by 1) taking a walk at the ocean, 2) playing my favorite dance music really loud and allowing it to move me or 3) working on my jigsaw puzzles, 4) calling one of said people mentioned above or 5) ordering a pizza, sipping a glass of wine while sitting on my back deck.

• Lance August 2, 2009, 4:08 pm

  Hi Tess,
  A Jannie CD! Having a couple myself…I stand by them as excellent!

  Happiness is: people that matter – friends and family. It’s about being comfortable in my own skin. It’s about “living” my life…

  My pick up is: outside time. A run in the rain. Watching a sunset. A pickup football (or soccer or kickball) game in the backyard. And Stacey’s second choice above – playing some really good music nice and loud! (hey…I think this post mentioned some awesome music AND a very talented musician, didn’t it!!)

• DavinaH August 2, 2009, 6:04 pm

  Hi Tess. What a CUTE picture. I find I want to stare into those eyes. Although I don’t have children of my own and don’t plan on having any, I can really appreciate how precious they are. I’m my most happy when I’m not telling myself that “I ‘should’ be doing this.” PS. I’m fortunate to already have a CD of Jannie’s so don’t put my name in the hat. 🙂

• Jacqueline Johns - Your Happy Life Mentor August 2, 2009, 6:22 pm

  Got to go with Caity on this one. I’m the most happy when I’m singing and dancing.

  When I’m feeling down, if I can possibly bring myself to do it, a run lifts me up (especially if I can run through the bush, park or the beach). If I’m so down I can’t run, loud rock n roll lifts me up every time! I defy anyone to feel unhappy when screaming their lungs out to Jimmy Barnes or Meat Loaf!

  To me happiness means that even when I’m walking through a storm, I know I’ll get through it, and things will be bright again. That inner knowing is the basis for me being The Happiest Person I Know.

• Paul Maurice Martin August 2, 2009, 6:44 pm

  “Encourage a child” really resonates with me, as someone whose career was spent working with children. Also “Make a child laugh” or smile – those little informal interactions in the hallway or at lunchtime when I’d get to do that often brought both me and the child a lot of happiness.

• Keith August 2, 2009, 7:47 pm

  Awesome post Tess!

  Refuse to complain, speak from your heart, speak kindly of others…all of these I love! If we just practiced these three what a difference in the world we would make!

  To me happiness means many things. One is making others happy. Don’t misunderstand, I love to be happy too it’s just I get so much joy in having a hand in brightening someone’s day, or helping someone when they need it most and especially encouraging someone! Long ago, I came across the famous Ghandi quote “Be the difference you want to see in the world” and it had such an affect on me. It made me “put up or shut up” so I’ve worked over the years on more shutting up and even more “putting up” 🙂

  Something I do just for me? Outside! Nature always stills my soul and quietens my mind.

• Linda Freed August 2, 2009, 10:13 pm

  Happiness for me is often at the end of the day when I know the next few quiet hours are mine to read, write and sleep, to recall a special memory or a good part of the day. I also love having a morning when I don’t have to be anywhere, waking up, stretching to feel cool sheets… as I tell my friends, “wiggle squiggling” my toes, perhaps dozing off again.

  Having said all of the above, I also enjoy looking into the sweet faces of my grandchildren and having a conversation with them. I’m happy when cooking creatively with someone while sharing a nice glass of wine. I agree with others that music sometimes causes me to sing out loud in my car or dance across my kitchen floor. Happiness is walking by or looking out over water, especially at sunset, discovering the magical arch of a rainbow, and most of all.. laughter….a giddy unexpected bubbling response to something seen or heard.

• Mary B Sheffield August 3, 2009, 6:31 am

  Hi Tess,
  -I am the Happiest when I have the rare moment to sit back and watch my College age children laughing and talking together . Seeing what wonderful caring adults we have created. 🙂
  -How to Make myself feel a little better ? This is a close one today- I am reading the comments from all of your wonderful friends to help through these types of days. See I have a son who moved to Northern CA for school. No home no job (YET) , He is fine but it is hard not to resue him. He says he is building character.
  -To me happiness is when you can make someone elses day just a little better !
  Have a wonderful week !
  Mary B

• Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord August 3, 2009, 6:37 am

  What a fun post, and great list.
  I’m the most happy when I’m doing things from a space of love. If I’m working out and just in-love with movement at that moment, I’m happy. If I’m writing or sending an email from a space of love, I’m happy (and usually smile as I hit “send”). So many things and times make me happy.

  When I feel down or my energy is “off,” I use one of your list suggestions and just let it go. I don’t fight it; I honor it, and life goes on. Maybe it means I have a lazy day, or comfort food day… I know it won’t last forever and that energy chose me. Bring it on!

  To me, happiness means finding ways to always want and express the best for myself and others as often as possible.

  Happy Monday, Tess!

• Karen Chaffee August 3, 2009, 8:26 am

  So many wonderful suggestions, Tess. I am especially working lately on “owning my mistakes,” and “letting go.”

  Thank you for your constant inspiration.

  Karen

• janice August 3, 2009, 1:07 pm

  I want to gobble up that baby!! By the way, Tess, have you been txtng with your gkids – 2B happy indeed! 😉 Gr8 post! You know what I’m going to say – it’s a brain frazzler, so..I’m going to give you my happy thought for when I log off in 5 minutes; I’m going to watch Everwood on the sofa with my gorgeous family and drool over clapboard houses with porches!

• Tom Volkar / Delightful Work August 4, 2009, 2:00 pm

  Thanks for the inspiration to breathe deeply. So much life to live, I think I’ll go outside and take that break from electronics while breathing. Combo happiness is mine!

• John August 4, 2009, 4:47 pm

  Tess, I’m afraid I don’t want to be eligible for the “I Need a Man” CD. 😉

  I’m happiest when working towards an end that I want. To have that burning desire to achieve something you really feel passionate for – whether it be a material thing, a hobby/pasttime, or career- that is what happiness is.

  Great list by the way.

• Tess August 4, 2009, 7:53 pm

  Caity,
  I love your music and to actually sing at one’s own wedding is truly gifting your guests. You and your voice are amazing and I’m glad we found each onther through Jannie’s blog!

  Hayden,
  Puppies, kittens, babies all pure love! Yeah you can’t help but catch some of it!

  Gooru,
  Nice to see you here and I’m happy to see we think alike!

  Carolynn,
  Your grandmother is absolutely hilarious. It was so sweet of you to share that story!
  And I’m happy to bring up great memories for you.

  Jannie,
  I have to try rice krispie treats from the freezer. Never had em and grandkids are coming soon. What a great thing for an Arizona Summer!

  Hillary,

  It’s those little things that make life the great gift it is and we all have so many too numerous to count!

  Dani,
  rock on! You’re the best!

  Gio,
  That is the greatest thing of all being and inspiring…and you do and you are.

  Stacey,
  We love the same things. The ocean…love it!

  Lance,
  I can just see your family all playing a game in the backyard making memories that will last a life time. You’re the best and an example for all.

  Davina,
  No shoulding on yourself will create happiness and life in the moment. What a great coach you must be.

  Jacqueline,
  Well good for you however I’ll have to check out who Jimmy Barnes and his music is! Meatloaf …yes!

  Jonathan,
  To me leaving big tips is believing in abundance and living in abundance. Abundance is as much about giving as it is receiving. Thanks for stopping by.

  Paul,
  What joy those kids must have brought to you and you to them.

  Keith,
  I love a man who walks his talk and nature will not only increase happiness but heal ailments.

  Linda,
  I never heard that wiggle squiggling toes thing! Invite me over for some of your cooking and wine please!

  Mary,
  Haven’t heard from you in a while. I think you and your son are both learning valuable lessons. Not always easy but oh so rewarding. These are mile stones!
  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  Megan,
  What a great idea sending emails with smiles and love. That’s the spam I want! I love the way you let things go without fighting it. Wow! That’s huge!

  Janice,
  I’ve never heard of that movie. Enjoy these moments with those kids! They leave us so soon…

  Tom,
  Combo happiness…you’ve invented a new idea and I love new ideas!

  John,
  This is why you’re so successful. And inspiring the rest of us along the way!

• Kristy August 5, 2009, 5:15 am

  What I’ve learned most from life and all it has to offer sure is that the simplest things grant me more long-term happiness–that tickle my heart feeling of happiness. More importantly, it is random acts of kindness and good-will gesture towards others that bring even greater joy/happiness to me than my designer jeans or hang bag (did I just say that!!).

  Here are some other things that make me happy: the wet rain drops on my face during a mid summer run in HOTlanta; the laughter from my nephew Henri as I hear my sister sing to him; the suffocating hug I get from my oldest sister b/c she is so overwhelmed with joy to see me; paying the $0.50 toll for the person behind me just to pay it forward; @ 32 years old still calling my dad to chat about my basketball game and listening to him laugh as I replay my ‘action’ on the court; running w/ my mom the entire way of a 1/2 marathon to encourage, inspire, and motivate her; texting my niece/nephew; sharing good conversation with great friends; the sandy, gritty feeling of the salt from a day at the beach; singing Journey’s “don’t stop believin”; taking risks and surviving : )…..happiness is all around!

• Teresa Chahine December 8, 2009, 6:45 am

  Any time I want a “pick me up”, I turn on the radio. Music seems to sooth whatever is ailing me at the time and my positive emotions are awaken again. I also get great pleasure when helping those I love. I don’t really want praise or acknowledgement for what I do. Just the act of helping others is enough reward.

• Tess December 8, 2009, 8:15 am

  Teresa,
  It’s so true about music. I need to remember to do that more often. I’m too intense and often forget the effect music has on me. Yes on helping others as well.

• Gloria Bodden December 17, 2011, 2:42 am

  Happiness is simple, peaceful, tranquil moment that you catch yourself thinking about time after time… That day you just stopped to enjoying the beauty of nature. Stop and smell the roses every once in a while, it’s good for the soul.