uniquelyyourscraftjournal

10 Things to do

18 Mar 2015 Comments Off on 10 Things to do

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: Happiness, improve your life, mediate, sleep

Dear Fellow Journalers,

Back last year, I read a fascinating article about 10 things to do to improve your life. I’m all about changing and improving – that’s why I create. So here are the suggestions:

1. Get out in nature. Actually, I kind of like this idea. You don’t have smog, honking horns, just plain noise in general. Peace and quiet – time to think my own thoughts and hear my own voice.

2. Exercise. We all know the physical benefits but did you know that you could feel happier about your life by climbing those extra stairs?

3. Spend time with friends and family. A Harvard Happiness Expert (bet you didn’t know there was such a thing!) by the name of Daniel Gilbert was quoted as saying that “one of the biggest sources of happiness in our lives is spending time with friends and family.” Last year, my husband spent almost a month in the hospital over Thanksgiving and Christmas. There was a cancer diagnosis and surgery. There was also chemo. Friends from as far away as CA, IL, and FL and those close by were the angels that held us up. I now have a greater appreciation for family and friends and spend lots of time with both.

4. Express Gratitude – remember to practice random acts of kindness and give back to your community.

5. Mediate. Being quiet in the moment can still your anxious heart, help you focus and reduce tension. Even if you’re not religious, prayer is a type of mediation.

6. Get enough sleep. Burning the candle at both ends can wear you out and your immune system can melt down.

7. Challenge yourself to learn more things; take a risk; sit next to an unknown person in your company and try reading a book from a different genre.

8. Know greater joy in your family and your world. When you know what happiness is and share it, you become a Happiness Ambassador.

9. Touch someone – this means hug someone. We don’t live in a vacuum and I really believe that we are not destined to become like Howard Hughes.

Be optimistic – the glass is 1/2 full; the grass is green on your side of the fence. If you choose to look on life as a place of opportunity, your won’t be a downer.

So, when all is said and done, these ideas seem pretty simple, don’t they? My challenge to us then, is to try these ideas out and let the rest of us know how it’s going. We can all use some more joy and happiness, don’t you think?

~Sallie

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.

ST Patrick’s Day

17 Mar 2015 Comments Off on ST Patrick’s Day

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Paper Daydreams Tags: Irish, ST Patrick

Dear Fellow Journalers,

Every year on March 17, the Irish and the Irish-at-heart across the globe observe St. Patrick’s Day. What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green.

When I was a youngster, my family honored St Patrick by going to Mass. When I was a teenager, I took up Irish Step Dancing so you know what I was doing every March 17th after that. When I got married and our son was old enough to understand, the leprechaun “spiked” the apple juice with green food coloring! Now our Granddaughter will learn about the “wee folk” from her Grandparents as we are all Irish!

Have a great day.

~Sallie.

ST Patrick Day

Things you do

13 Mar 2015 Comments Off on Things you do

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Seeds of thought Tags: Mark Twain

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”

Mark Twain

God gets mad

11 Mar 2015 Comments Off on God gets mad

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: kindness, neighbor

Dear Fellow Journalers,

A classic from G

Enjoy!

~Sallie

The other day the woman across the street was coming home from the grocery store. (I just happened to looking out the window) It was a cold, windy, rainy day here in old Ct. I noticed she had a bit of a struggle with her packages, her car door, and the young grandchild in tow.

Now it would have been relatively easy for me to bound across the street and help. Grab some bags and help her get inside. But I just didn’t feel like it, and didn’t. That’s when I heard from God.

Now God does speak directly to me. He kind of “shouts” in my ear, especially when He’s mad at me. “Kid, why didn’t you help your neighbor?”

Just too lazy God, I said, I’m sorry!

Too lazy, too LAZY!!! was His retort.

I’m sorry God. You know I’m a bit depressed lately, and I think it’s effecting me.

Sorry doesn’t cut it kid, and neither do those other excuses.

Now I got mad. (Not a good thing to do when talking with God!) I went off on a tare about how lousy things have been in my life lately, and why is He letting these things happen, and why doesn’t He help me.

Suddenly, the voice of authority spoke in my ear: You will NEVER speak to me in that way again! (Now I know where my Mother got those words and that tone!)

Claiming down quickly, I listened further to the voice.

You know kid, you’ve ALWAYS been one of my kindest children. Since you were a small child, you’ve always looked out for my other children. You’ve always carried out my prime commandment: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. That’s why I don’t like what I’ve been seeing lately. You heart is turning cold. This trend is not good, and I want you to change.

Aw God, it’s just because of the troubles I’ve been having lately. Sometimes God, I think You send me more than I can handle! I’m sorry if I’m less kind. I’ll work on it.

Good kid, but you’re wrong. I NEVER send you more than you can handle. I made you one of my strong ones so you could be one of my kindest children. The world needs more kindness. Besides, you forget—I’m always there if you need help! I’m your backup.

I had forgotten, God. I won’t again.

Until next Friday, BE KIND TO ALL, and remember, God’s there to help. Besides, you don’t want God shouting in YOUR ear!

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com

Candles

06 Mar 2015 Comments Off on Candles

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Seeds of thought Tags: candles, Happiness

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

Buddha