What a beautiful morning?
What? Don’t you think so?
Why? Because it’s raining?
Well, our garden and I’m sure many lawns, other peoples gardens, lakes, streams, and a ton of other things are grateful for this morning downpour. Perhaps the timing doesn’t work for you, but in life it is necessary to “go with the flow.”
Everyone got yesterday riddle answer: Lighthouse! And thank you so much for the suggestions for “quick” challenges. I’m putting them in my book to use for later challenges and truly appreciate the “help” (that word is key to today’s challenge).
Today is National Happiness Happens Day! Now this is a really interesting and exciting idea. Happiness Happens Day is actually part of a much larger project — Happiness Happens Month and the brainchild is a woman who founded the Society of Happy People. In researching the history of this endeavor, I learned some great things about happiness and some of the different ways to make yourself and others happy.
Obviously some people are just naturally happy. Don’t know why, but their perspective on life and what is dealt them on a day to day basis, is taken in stride and they SMILE through whatever happens. I want that! It never ceases to amaze me how easy it is to hold onto bad or negative memories, and how so many happy memories just slip into the abyss, never to be thought of again. This needs to change.
Happiness doesn’t just affect your life. Your attitude affects everyone around you everyday. If you’re mopey, sad, bored, or crabby, this can easily make those people around you feel on edge and uncertain and then they too become mopey, sad, bored or crabby. Sure everyone will have bad moments, the trouble is that some times a bad moment turns into a bad day, then a bad couple of days, then a week, and so on and so on.
Back a couple months ago one of the Daily Challenges was to make a Happy List. Participants listed things, people, and activities that made them happy. I printed them, laminated them, and sent them to them so they would have a constant reminder of things to think about or do when they were feeling down. That is just one way to stay happy.
The Society of Happy People “identified 31 Types of Happiness to make recognizing happiness easier. Sometimes happiness is the relief and satisfaction that you feel when you finish cleaning the kitchen. Sometimes, it’s watching a child or pet do something amusing. Or sometimes it’s a celebration like going to a party.” So today’s challenge is going to be to explore one of these types of happiness. Today’s Type of Happiness is…
A helpful attitude doesn’t mean that you can’t say no if you’re unable to help someone.
When you’re genuinely helpful, you feel that it’s an honor to assist rather than a burden.
Helpfulness is happiness shared because it makes more than one person happy.
When was the last time you were helpful?
Think about it. Can you remember a time when you were helpful and it made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Maybe you do it on a daily basis (like putting your shoes away so no one trips over them or doing your chores without being told or arguing about it) . Maybe it’s something you only get a chance to do once in a while (like helping out at a garage sale or setting up a campsite). I’m sure everyone has been helpful at one point or other when it made the person you were helping very happy and made you very happy because you knew you were needed and appreciated. Share that with us.
If you can’t think of anything, then maybe you can do something today to help out at home, or a relative, a neighbor, or even a pet. Being helpful can be very rewarding and brings a ton of joy and love with it.
Make the most of this rainy day. And hey, if the thunder stops, maybe run out in the rain and enjoy the wonderful gift of water pouring from the clouds on your face. There’s nothing like playing in the rain to make a rainy day just a little better.
Zack & Lisa
Happiness Happens – Helpful Challenge
Lutz Keep In Touch 