Join the Jollies

I had a fabulous mini-conversation the other day whilst at work (at an Assisted Living). I was told:


"When I was younger, I saw some old people who just sat around and were glum all day. Then there were others who kept cheerful and as busy as they could. 
Right then and there, I decided I'd join the jollies."


Haha! How great is that?! 


Another gentleman is always slipping people candy to thank them for their help, and looking for little ways to help out.


Awesome examples all around me help me see the kind of person I want to be!


For starters, I want to be the kind of person who...


...stops at lemonade stands
...shows appreciation for others' efforts (even when they are getting paid for it)
...finds a good balance between being productive and slowing down to have fun
...doesn't ever stop wanting to learn
...randomly decides to whip up fun treats to deliver to whoever 
...is open to new foods (gulp, seafood :P )
...is always looking for ways to be kinder
...etc, etc


The list continues, but those things stick out in my mind right now, based on awesome qualities I've seen in others lately.


Awhile ago, I realized if I want to be this kind of person when I'm older, I need to start becoming this person now! 


I want to join the jollies 


:)

Magic

11:11:11 
11/11/11


What are you going to wish?! 


:D

The Drumbeat Carries On

Have I ever confessed to you my love of Nickelback songs?

This world is so big. 

Possibilities are mind-blowing. A bit overwhelming? At times. 

But you gotta start somewhere!

Hmmm.

:)

Ends & Beginnings

FB status of Reese’s:

Which is better - the first or last bite of a REESE'S Peanut Butter Cup?

What an intriguing little question.

:)

Hot Air Balloon

Ain't my little brother studly?
We found this awesome thing whilst wandering Ross haha!

"Life isn't about finding yourself,

it's about creating yourself."

Well said, random little sign.

(Also, the hot air balloons remind me of an owl city song: 

"We wrote a prelude to our own fairy tale...let's spend the afternoon in a cold hot air balloon....")

Happy creating, everybody!

:)

People are awesome

I am surrounded by selfless people! 
They blow my mind everyday.


People at work,
Random people,
Volunteers,
Roommates,
Friends,
Family,


Thanks.


:)

Pocket Full O' Sunshine and Benjamin

Happiness. What a smiley word,eh? :)


Drum-roll for this quote puh-lease:

"Moreover, Gentlemen, is it so evident that happiness, of whatever kind, is the only aim of mankind? 

If it were so, our course would be narrow indeed, and our destination far from elevated.

There is not one single one of us who, if he wished to abase himself, restrain his moral faculties, lower his desires, abjure activity, glory, deep, and generous emotions, could not demean himself and be happy.

No, Sirs, I bear witness to the better part of our nature, that noble disquiet which pursues and torments us, that desire to broaden our knowledge and develop our faculties. 

It is not to happiness alone, it is to self-development that our destiny calls us...."

That, dear friends, comes from Benjamin Constant's writing on liberty (which I came across whilst immersed in my American Heritage studies ha).


And I'd like to add that I think such self-development makes us happy in itself. 


Not everything we work towards we do simply for happiness (when you mean happiness to be a state of pleasure and contentment). Good things can be hard, uncomfortable, even distasteful!


Sometimes the happiness comes along the way while you are developing your self. Sometimes it comes in moments of relief from struggle. 


What makes you happy? (Slash who makes you happy?) Those are good things to put effort into. (Funny that we don't always associate happiness with work, but you become happier when you work at the right things.)


Just thought I'd share this nice tidbit from the 1700's!


:)


P.S. Anyone like Wicked? "Happiness is what happens when all your dreams come true. Well, isn't it?" 


:)