friends | Uniquely Yours Craft Journal

Funny, isn’t it? I mean the way people drift in and out of your life, and sometimes in high numbers? The other day I was cleaning out some old boxes at home, and I found an old, (and I mean 20-30 years old) personal phone book. You know, the kind where you write down the names and addresses of people “on your list.”

My book contained the names of everyone from close personal friends to passing business acquaintances. What a list of names! Surprisingly, I was able to put a face with almost every name. I then lapsed into a session of that great game, ‘I wonder where they are now.’ You know, because I’m sure you’ve played it yourself.

Closely examining the book, I narrowed it down to a list of seven people I would love to talk with again. I started dialing. Here’s the result:

¨ Four were disconnects, or numbers that had been reissued. Not surprising considering the length of time.

¨ One was a number that had passed from a parent to a now married child. Regrettably, my friends from the past had been killed in an auto accident about ten years ago.

¨ The last two? PAYDIRT! I found my long-lost friends!

The conversations were long and friendly. Full of “catching up, and how are you.” It was really a great feeling to reconnect with that long past part of my life again. For a few minutes of conversation, I felt 30 years young again! With one couple I was able to set up a dinner date. The other, a retired Marine now living in Arizona, the reunion would need be delayed. Didn’t matter really, just being in touch was great!

If YOU have an old phone phonebook in your home somewhere. Go dig it out, and start dialing!

Are you happy?

01 Jun 2015 Comments Off on Are you happy?

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Pursuit of Happiness Tags: friends, habits, Happiness, positive mindfulness, Winston Churchill

Are you happy?

Dear Fellow Journalers,

The Pursuit of Happiness this month focuses on Happiness Habits. Please write the following questions/statements on a piece of paper or your journal, think about your answers, and then write them down. The multiple choice answers are the same for questions 1-3, 5-9. The multiple choices are:

Never once/twice a day once/twice month once/twice week, once a day

How often do you share your feelings with friends or relatives?
How often do you do kind things for others?
How often do you (at least 20 minutes) participate in physical exercise?
I know what my strengths and virtues are and I use them creatively to improve the quality of my life. ( The choice answers are:

I don’t know what my strengths and virtues are.
I know what they are, but I don’t know use them.
I sometimes use them.
I use them often

I find a deep sense of fulfilment by using my strengths and skills for a purpose greater than myself.
I engage in activities (sports, writing) that I find challenging.
I have feelings of gratitude towards persons and events from my past.
I am able to focus on the present moment and not get distracted by thoughts of the past or future.
I am optimistic about the future.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

How did your “Quiz” go? Do you feel more optimistic about your life? Are you a happy person?

There are 6 habits of happy people which may help you become happier. They are:

Express your heart. People who have one or more close friendships tend to be happier. I have 2 close friends who literally would “give me the blouse off their back”. They bolster me and lift me up. We’ve solved the world’s problems over lunch!

Relationships

Cultivate Kindness. Caring for someone else lifts you out of depression. Charitable acts such as visiting the sick, collecting food items or just donating time lifts you and someone else to a higher level.

Caring

Exercise Regularly. Working out or playing sports not only improves your mood but your mental health as well. Taking a walk around your yard or working in your garden counts also.

Exercising

Flow. When you are writing in your journal or creating your next masterpiece have you ever been so focused that time got away from you? That’s what flow is. You loose self-consciousness when you are totally immersed in an activity that is challenging and uses your skills and talents.

Flow

Strengths and Virtues. Using your strengths and virtues for the greater good helps you utilize those skills better!

Positive Mindfulness. The glass is 1/2 full. Winston Churchill is quoted as saying “a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimistic sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” If you have ever read or heard his speeches during the Second World War this underlying theme “plays” out in them.

1/2full glass

Be happy!

~Sallie

Valentine Sentiments

13 Feb 2015 Comments Off on Valentine Sentiments

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Sentiments Tags: eagle, friends, love

Dear Fellow Journalers,

The following sentiments can be written to your loved one! Please feel free to share!

~Sallie

I love you more every day, you are my forever love.
Our love is the kind of love they write songs about. Thanks for being my love, my inspiration and my best friend every single day of my life.
Valentine’s Day only happens once a year…. And someone like you only happens once in a lifetime.
With all my love.
Right from the start, you stole my heart.
Good friends are like quilts. They age with us and yet they never lose their warmth.
My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.
Friends are like eagles – Heaven sent.