Happy #23: Fresh Cilantro.

I simply don't have the words to tell you how much I love this herb.

It smells good. It tastes good. You can add it to just about anything and it makes practically everything taste better.

Spring is coming. Start some seeds this weekend and then grow it in your garden when the ground thaws. ;-)

Home grown goodness.

There's some happy for ya. :-)

Happy #22: Trust God.

When I was closing up the cottage in WA to come home to Salt Lake City, several stray pennies surfaced. It seemed like they were showing up everywhere, and out of the blue. I thought what I always think: Trust God Kathleen.

Here's why.

A penny is a small and simple thing. It is the least means of our monetary measure. Which may be why people let go of it so easily.

On it's own, it seems worthless because you can't buy anything whatsoever with a single penny anymore. In fact, it costs more to make the penny than the penny is actually worth.

But inscribed on this small, seemingly worthless piece of copper are the words, In God We Trust.

And somehow for me, seeing a penny here and there in unusual places and at unexpected times has come to be a gift. And this little bit of worthlessness has found great worth with me. Because when I see it, I pick it up. And I read the words again about trusting Him.

A penny is a good reminder. Which I really needed right now. Which may be why there were so many pennies in the Cottage. :-)

We never really know anything for sure with life. But we can trust the process of life.

And we can trust God.

Happy #21: We're better together.

Nobody knows how to get drunk in the streets while draped in the national flag like Canadians. Nobody. Preparing for possible upset, the police asked the liquor stores to stop selling alcohol at 7:00 pm. Dominating the rink, Team USA beat Team Canada at their national sport capturing a 5-3 Olympic win over Canada for the first time in 50 years. On home ice. Canadians were heartbroken.

But mixed into the evening were several gentle reminders serving to illustrate that when we hold on to each other and what matters most, together we achieve. Even in overcoming setback and defeat.




Not everyone can win the gold. But nobody wins the gold alone.

Ryan Miller, Team USA's goalie made 42 saves in the victory of a lifetime. Miller said, "When things happened we responded. We didn't get nervous or anxious. We kept playing."

Believing in themselves and what they could do together, they kept playing. They won as a team.

In victory or defeat, together we overcome and achieve.

We're better together. No matter what we're experiencing.

Wait. That's a song. Who said that? Oh yea. Jack Johnson. Better together. :D

As I said. Or he said. Whatever. We're better together.

You get my point. Our point. ;-)

Happy #20: Move your hot self.

It was a beautiful spring day in the Pacific Northwest. Seagulls, cherry blossoms, jade green grass, and sparkling water by day. Clear sky, twinkling stars, and the moon shining on frosted glass by night.

This morning's sun shining in through the cottage windows was irresistible. I had to get outside. But not until I had thoroughly enjoyed a lazy arrival to the day.

My neighbor Kiki stopped by for a visit and we were talking about how making a change with what we do can change how we feel.

We talked about how we attach to thoughts/thinking, feelings, people, situations, things, etc. and she mentioned we tend to hold onto whatever we are "stuck" in and/or on until we do something to "move our energy". I shared my thinking that when we change the physics of our being (person, place, or thing) with action, we change our physical state. Our energy state. Which changes how we feel.

When we're stuck in (or attached to) something--our thinking, our feelings, a relationship, a situation, an environment, some mental process, etc., all it usually takes to move us out of that place is to change whatever it is we're doing and/or thinking.

You know, a body in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by a force... ??

And sometimes all it takes is a run. Or a bike ride. Or if you're my friend Mary, a horseback ride.

Basically it goes back to what my cousin Donna taught me about ten years ago. (And I've been saying it ever since.) She said, "Nothing changes until something changes. And when one thing changes, everything changes."

So as far as I'm concerned, it's enough for me to say this: Move yourself. Your hot self. Your this, or that, or whatever. Your stuff. Your junk. ;-)

And I mean that in the best possible way. There are several layers there to choose from. Lol.

But I do mean it with all the love in my heart. You know that, right? :-)

Just do it.

Happy #19: Pay attention.

While I'm typically characterized as being the eternal optimist, you should also know that I am incredibly, exceptionally skeptical. It's true. I believe almost nothing of what I read. Very little of what I see. And even less of what I hear.

Surprised?

Anyway, I tell you this because recently I read something I decided was a. worth paying attention to, and b. worth taking note of in case I ever needed to help someone.

I read that for a bee sting if you immediately placed a penny on the sting and held it firmly for 10-15 minutes, the copper in the penny would draw out the venom, leaving the one stung painless in the aftermath. No small thing. Who really knows how to effectively treat a bee sting??

Yesterday Juliet was stung by a bee. I told her to grab a penny and hold it tightly on the sting. And 15 minutes later she was pain free. It worked!

Maybe the tip was just unusual enough to get my attention. Maybe because it held the opportunity to help someone feel better, I remembered. I don't know.

But you never know when something is going to come across your path right before you need it.

So it's good to pay attention.

Happy #18: Share the love.

My daughter Juliet spoke with me this morning about her gratitude for her brother Jackson. She said, "He is the most incredible brother Mom. He is just the best brother anyone could ever have. He always calls me and sincerely wants to know how I'm doing. He's always encouraging, he always listens, he doesn't judge. He always has something sincere and positive to say to make me feel better about myself or about my life. He's so inspiring to me."

A few minutes ago I read Kelsie's blog. And this is what I found. It's also about Jackson.

SOUP
"This week I made soup. I made it from scratch, without a recipe, completely by taste.

Today I had a horrible day. The kind of day where you feel awful the minute you wake up and the hours follow suit in a sort of drone, ticking slow and sad.

Towards the end of the day, I got a call from my older brother. I was working and unable to answer, so he left a message. I don't listen to messages all that often, but for whatever reason, I decided to check it.

"Kelsie, I'm at mom's house, and I am eating this soup that you made. This seriously... is the best soup I've had in my entire life, restaurant or otherwise."

Perhaps it sounds a bit ridiculous, but his message saved me. In an instant, my soul was lifted completely, up from dreary doldrums and into sunny sky.

You never know when something you say could change someone's entire day."

Genuine and sincere praise is felt by the heart.

Share the love.

Because you never know when something you say could change someone's entire day. :-)

And Jackson, I'm proud of you.

Happy #17: Speak up.

I had several conversations yesterday that drove this one home for me.

Some of those conversations were with people who need to speak up. Some of those conversations were with people I need to speak up to. Seeing a theme, I decided to write about it.

I thought you might enjoy a draft of what I'd like to say in speaking up. Of course, some of this I wouldn't say in this way. You can say anything you need to, but the things we say need to be offered with kindness and care. I feel strongly about this.

However, for venting and processing purposes, here goes.

Dear Mr. Naysayer with your negative, doubtful thinking:

I know you think you're pointing out things I haven't thought of. And I'm sure you think you're enlightening me on this current economic condition, this "down market", this "vulnerable economy", and this "unprecedented poor development/funding situation", etc.

Clearly stated, I'm fairly certain that because I'm beautiful you think I'm not capable of any intelligent thought whatsoever.

But I am capable. Exceptionally capable. And you haven't pointed out anything I haven't already thought of. (In fact there is only one person who (on a consistent basis over time) has been able to suggest things I haven't already thought of. But you're not him. Don't feel bad though. He's brilliant.)

Anyway. Look. All I'm saying is that I'm sure you think you're offering something I need to hear. But you're not. You're saying the same things the whole world is saying. And truthfully? You're just showing me your limited thinking. And your negative, doubting, disbelieving mind does not help me. (It doesn't help you either, btw, but that's another conversation.)

Because here's the thing. You don't know me. And you don't know what I can do. I once built a million dollar home on a piece of property that everyone said was unbuildable. Everyone. Sure, it took a boatload of rebar, concrete, and a semi chained to the pump truck to keep it from sliding down the hill while the foundation was going in. But I did that.

I figured that out. I thought that through and found a way to make that site work. And the home is solid. On a solid foundation. On solid ground. And it sits on a piece of land that NOBODY thought could be built on. With a majestic wide open view of the mountains and the valley. It's beyond beautiful. (And I designed it. Of course.)

That's who I am. And that's what I do. I find a way. I figure it out. I make it work. And I make it work beautifully. (It's that intelligent thought thing I was mentioning earlier...) In summary, I get it done.

And how a person does one thing, they do everything.

While people who think like you are busy sitting around talking about why it won't work, people like me go out and do it. Because people like me just put their minds on something and once that happens, it's pretty much done. The rest is details.

Here's why: it's the thinking. It's belief.

See, God and me? We're a team. It goes like this:

1. He gives me something to do.
2. I do it.

I know in your mind what I'm trying to do can't be done in this "vulnerable economic market". But once God puts me on something, as impossible as it seems, that's it. It gets done. Because He doesn't set me up to fail. He makes the way for me to succeed. And that's all there is to it. (It happens a lot, fyi.)

So Mr. Naysayer, please keep your Doubting Thomas blah, blah, blah thinking and words to yourself. You just sit back (that's what people like you do), and watch.

I swim with the big fish. And they think like me. We get stuff done when everyone says there's no possible way.

Which makes it Ok that you're a doubter. Because every success story has had people like you saying it can't be done.

Makes the victory all the sweeter.

(Makes the books and the movies better too. Cha ching...)

Sincerely,

A finisher.

PS? Be careful with your words. They have power to create your world. And btw, don't bother saying, "I didn't think you could do it," after I've done it. I think we've already established you're an unbeliever. That's why I'm doing it and you're not. But do let me know when you're ready to learn how to believe in yourself and trust in God.

Happy #16: Chicken Soup & Learning to show love.

Chicken Soup for the soul. Cliche for a reason.

To one large pot of boiling water add the following:
Chicken pieces, skinned with the bone in.
Chopped carrots, onion, and garlic.
1/2 bunch Cilantro
1 bay leaf
A pinch and a hand toss of cumin, chili powder, and Carne Asada seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste.

Sorry I can't give you measurements. But this is how we cook...
Simmer for several hours. With the lid on. The soup will feed your body. The aroma will feed your soul.

Kelsie made me chicken soup tonight. She stood at the kitchen counter peeling and chopping, putting everything together as if she'd done it a thousand times.

"It must be so satisfying for you to watch me do this," She said. "I know exactly what to do. I even knew what to get at the grocery store. I didn't have to think about any of it. I watched you do it so many times growing up, I just knew what to do."

"Children learn what they live," I said.

So here's my happy regardless for today:

What we live and learning to show love are related. You know what I'm talking about. You know, "...teach them to love one another and to serve one another." Mosiah 4:15

So make some good, old-fashioned chicken soup. There's something special about chicken soup. The smell in the house is incredible. (And the flavor in this soup was outstanding!) But there's more to it.

I felt loved and cared for eating that soup. Because Kelsie made it. Because she knew how to make it. Because it was warm and delicious. Because after years and years of making it for my children, there she was in the kitchen making it for me when I needed it.

And for all of these reasons it said, "I love you Mama."

Jackson was over earlier today and spent HOURS helping Keaton clean out his turtle's tank. This also said I love you.

These are good examples of the actions that help us to be happy regardless. Time with family and friends. Experiences of loving kindness that show us we are cared for and listened to.

Find a way to show someone you've been listening.

Live your love.

Jackson and Kelsie, thank you. I love you. :-)

Happy #15: Forgive.

It's my mother's birthday today. She died in early June almost seven years ago. And I wish I could have forgiven her in life like I was able to forgive her in death.

Maybe it's that she was never really honest about her life and the impact of her choices on the lives of her children until she was dying. (I believe forgiveness is only possible with truth.) Maybe it was that I had let go of the hope she would ever be a mother to me by the time she was dying. Maybe it was a combination of the two.

Sparing you the details of why it was so difficult to forgive her, I'd like to offer this:

Parents are people. They make mistakes. Like me. Like you. And I think all the mistakes, errors in judgement, personality differences, or whatever it might be aside, parents are doing the best they know to do.

The same goes for all of us, really.

Forgiving someone doesn't mean you have to stay in something and continue being hurt by them. Quite the opposite. Occasionally we have to learn to choose away from hurtful people/relationships/situations. Oddly enough, sometimes it's just that sort of honesty in choosing change that makes forgiveness possible.

But finding forgiveness and letting someone be where they are (even if it means stepping away), opens you. And enlarges you.

And that's always worth the exercise.

Because forgiveness frees the soul.

And what could be better than having a free, REALLY BIG soul? :-)

Supersize me baby.

Happy #14: Observe the love around you.

And let it fill up your heart.

Happy Valentine's Day!

You are loved. :-)

Happy #13: Get outside your comfort zone.

I haven't been on top of my game lately. (Health stuff, which is odd for me.) So I just don't have the energy to tend to some things. Like how I look.

Take today for instance. Kelsie and I enjoyed the unexpected surprise of being able to spend the day together. Mid-day she needed to run a few errands. But I was still in my pajamas. With my hair up. It was a mess. And I looked terrible. Seriously. Nobody should go into public looking like I did today. I mean it.

Anyway, I was not in my comfort zone. But Kelsie needed help getting things ready for Valentine's Day. And Keaton and Juliet needed their Valentine's presents.

After a stop at Banbury Cross (for donuts), was the chocolate shop. Kelsie needed chocolate frogs. And chocolate covered gummy bears. The good kind. As we browsed, standing beside us was a young man obviously paralyzed by too many choices.

We talked and I suggested the frogs. And the bears. Very delicious. Who doesn't like chocolate covered gummy bears, right??

"Am I missing anything?" he asked as we stood at the register a few minutes later. How sweet is that?

"Those chocolate covered strawberries and a balloon," I said, pointing up toward the myriad of sparkling heart shaped floaters over our heads. "That one," I said. And he asked the cashier to pull it down. (Very obedient. Lol.)

"She'll love it all," I said. "Or he will. Whichever."

"That's very open minded of you," he said smiling.

"Well," I said, "You never know."

"Thank you," he said. "I was totally lost."

He was out of his comfort zone, doing something to make someone happy. And I was TOTALLY out of mine. In the chocolate shop, looking like a train wreck.

But it didn't matter. Kelsie came away with everything she needed to feel good about being prepared for Valentine's Day. And I think he did too.

Kelsie and I came home and laid down for a nap. And instead of sleeping, we talked the whole time. About love. And chocolate covered berries. About her boyfriend (whom she absolutely adores), and her mission, and how fun it was to help the young man choose treats for his Valentine. And how wonderful it was to just spend the day together doing really nothing at all.

Get outside your comfort zone. Make someone happy.

And I guarantee you. If there's not someone under your roof who needs your help, there's someone at the chocolate shop who does!

Getting outside your comfort zone can produce remarkable memories.

And it gives you something to laugh about later. Kelsie's still laughing about how I looked... "Well, you didn't look your best," she said. Lol.

Happy #12: Have a good cry.

Recently a friend taught me that sometimes it's enough to be just be Ok. That you don't always have to feel great. That sometimes there's a middle place between not-so-great and great where it's Ok to be, well, just Ok. Important lesson.

To that I would like to add that sometimes it's Ok to just flat out bawl. Just let the tears go. Let the mascara run down your face. Don't worry about what you're wiping it on or who's watching.

Because sometimes there are things worth crying about. And oddly, after a good cry you can find your way back to "Ok".

So when you need it, I highly recommend a good cry. Highly.

You'll feel better. I promise.

Happy #11: Make an adventure.

Periodically life will toss an adventure your way. An unexpected surprise to mix things up a bit for your entertainment. Like ending up on the same flight with one of your favorite people on the planet. (You know who you are.) That's just fun. Plane fun. Lol. :D

The rest of the time you've got to make your own adventure. And this can be, well, rather sporting. Especially since what you get isn't always what you planned.

Take this morning for example.

I decided to go for a walk in "bad" weather. We got a bit of snow last night and this morning it was still falling. Loving snow, I bundled up, put Tonto on his leash, and headed off. And I was delighted by both what I heard and what I saw: the train gliding through a slushy street, birds chirping in freshly flocked trees, children on school playgrounds, and the most charming little church steeple I've seen in a long time. Maybe ever.

Lovely little adventure right? I thought so.

Until I got home and discovered I had locked myself out of the house... Scaling the brick wall at the back (in my coat, boots, and Red Sox cap), I climbed in through a window. The unexpected surprise. The real adventure.

Tonight my friend Mark stopped by for a visit. (Very great to see you Mark! Very.) The picture on this post is the photo he is using for the screen saver on his phone. It was taken during a holiday party at my home. (Always an adventure.) How perfectly enjoyable to discover Mark's use of the picture. And to laugh about it. Such an unexpected surprise.

So here's the thing. Make an adventure. Walk in bad weather. Climb a brick wall. Or a rock wall. Take a ride in the snow. Or on the snow. Watch the snow sparkle in the sunlight. Or the moonlight. Eat something you’ve never eaten before. Or MAKE something to eat you've never eaten before. Spend time with friends. Laugh. Have a party. Make something for your friends to eat that they've never eaten before! ;D

You can wait for an adventure. Or you can make one. Either way, the unexpected surprises before, during, and after the process are wonderful.

And an unexpected surprise is always a welcome reminder that it's good to be alive. Together.

Perogies anyone?

Happy #10b: Find something to look forward to.

Sometimes happiness is simply a matter of having something to look forward to.

Ireland. My history.

I hope to get there someday. And stay in a little stone cottage.

In the meantime, it's something to look forward to.

Happy #10a: Find someone to serve.

I have a saying. Ok. I have several.
But this a good one.

When you want to feel better, find:

Something to be grateful for.
And something to do.
Something to laugh about.
Something to look forward to.
And someone to serve.

Kelsie made headbands for Juliet for Christmas. They were elegant and charming handcrafted extensions of Kelsie's creative soul. Juliet wears her sister's original works with pride. She was thrilled with the gift. Yes, because they are extraordinary. But mostly because of the time Kelsie took in making them. Kelsie spent hours on her bedroom floor with ribbon and feathers and jewelry spread out around her while she created her gifts of love. So every time Juliet puts on one of the headbands (and they are the most delightful things), she feels loved.

The headbands are a symbol. They represent a sister's love. Because time was involved.

There are lots of ways to serve. But they all have one thing in common.

Time.

Even if it's just five minutes.

Find someone to serve. It doesn't have to be complicated. Or even a headband. ;D It just needs to be something. Anything. Because we're all the same at heart and we all need the same things. We all just want to feel like we matter.

You know I'm right. ;D

Happy #9: Exercise

Exercise is unequivocally ESSENTIAL for happiness. Unequivocally. And that's just all there is to it.

It's like food and water for mind/body/spirit well-being. Essential. I'll go into detail about this (provide some stats and data to make my case, not that I need to) some other time, but for now I'm just going to say this:

Get the freak out of the house and get some exercise.

You'll feel better.

Life is precious. Participate. :D

Happy #8: You.

It's true. Just thinking about being with you makes me happy.

Like a big bunch of balloons, ice cream in a waffle cone, and a cool breeze on a summer day.

I need you for my personal happiness.

You know who you are. :-)

P.S. And btw people, reach out and touch someone you love. They need you more than they say. What's the song? "If you need a little more love, why don't you say so?" Most people don't say so. But they need you.

Connect. As opposed to contact. You know the difference.

Happy #7: Music

You know how hearing just the right song in just the right moment can TOTALLY change your mood?

Choose one of your favorites.

Then turn it up.

If you haven't listened to the song Shine I posted on this blog (see playlist at the right bottom corner, pink box...), be sure and listen at some point. It's a great song. And if you haven't listened to Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone lately (also on the playlist), well, that's just happiness going somewhere to happen. :)

Find the sun. Let it shine on your face. Music can do that for you. No matter the weather.

Happy #6: Take a ride in the boat with Jesus.

Fabulous photo, isn't it? Why, thank you. :D I didn't even crop it. Can you believe it? (Thank you Jesus for giving me such beautiful things to take pictures of. Wow. And for my wide open eyeballs. And my camera...) Lol.

You know where I'm going with this, right? A thankful heart is essential for happiness. Absolutely essential. And there's always something to be grateful for. Regardless. :)

My father died tragically 33 years ago today. He was 48. I was 15. (I'm as old now as he was when he died. It's an odd feeling.) It seems like several lifetimes ago. He loved me and consistently told me I could do anything I set my mind to. Anything. And I grew up believing it. (Which is hilarious considering what my life looked like as a child...) My father gave me confidence.

While he hasn't been here to watch his work bear fruit, his influence has stretched the span of my lifetime. So I'm thankful for him today. Given that he's not here and hasn't been for quite sometime. I wish I could have understood the magnitude of the gift he was giving me while he was still alive for me to express my gratitude.

The other thing I'm grateful for today is my awareness of our Savior's ability to deliver us from suffering. I'm including something in this post which I wrote several years ago. I think it's relevant to this happy regardless adventure we're having together.

November 2003
"One morning my friend Maureen was in town visiting and we were talking about the vicissitudes of life. We shared our thoughts with each other about difficulty and loneliness and trying to maintain hope, peace, and happiness in such times. We talked about her life and we talked about mine.

As we sat quietly for a few moments the image of a little wooden boat on a huge sea came to my mind. I saw this little boat ride the sea through a variety of weather. There was calm, smooth water when the sun was bright with light and warmth as it danced on the sea and the little boat coasted with ease. There were choppy waters when the little boat rocked and creaked and dipped in and out of the white capped ocean. And there were stormy waters when the wind and the waves tossed the boat about on a troubled sea.

While I was in the middle of this thought, Maureen said, "So what are you going to do?" I thought for a moment about the images that had been in my mind and in a southern accent I replied, "I'm going to ride in the boat with Jesus."

And I've been riding in His boat ever since. :)

I believe in our Savior's power and ability to ease our burdens, make them light, and give us peace regardless of the waters we are riding. I believe He relieves us of and delivers us from our suffering.

Fresh in my heart and mind is the belief that we can lift and strengthen each other by Him through the power of prayer.

I am grateful for experiences in life that give me greater understanding of how deeply we need each other and what a significant blessing we can be for one another.

And Dad, I am thankful for you. Thank you for thinking I could do anything and telling me so.
I felt your love for me. I still do.
With love as always,
Pink
xo

There. Now it's your turn to find something to be grateful for. Opposable thumbs. Due process. Sunshine. Surprise yourself...

Happy #5: "You have to know what brings you Up."

Many years ago I was having a conversation about happiness with my friend Dirk when he taught me a valuable lesson. His words stayed with me and are worth sharing. Dirk said this: "You have to know what brings you up. Then you just have to do that."

Seems simple, right? But do you know what brings you up? What makes you happy?

I didn't at the time. To illustrate his point, Dirk shared an endearing little story about whistling. But I was drawing a blank. Clearly I had some work to do.

Figuring out what makes you happy, what "brings you up" tells you a bit about yourself. Which is important. Because if you don't know what makes you happy, how can you expect anyone else to know?

Just saying...

Bring on the bubbles. :)

Happy #4: Gratitude for the beautiful bumpy ride.

I flew into Long Beach, CA a few minutes ago. Or the pilot did anyway.

Out my airplane window was one of the most stunning sunsets I've ever seen. On the horizon were scalloped streams of orange and pink. Strips and spots of gold lit the western sky like a filigree pattern lantern. The ocean stretched out as far as the eye could see, shining like pantene organza under the setting rays of the sun. It was radiant. On the other side of the plane was the rest of the ocean. It was flat, matte gray, and quiet.

And just for a little twist in the mix, along with this contrasting visual beauty was a VERY bumpy ride. Very, very bumpy.

John Mayer tried to soothe me with his easy voice. Singing in my ear while strumming his guitar (accompanied by the violin), he was as comforting as he could be. He sang, "I'll wait on the porch until you come back home alright...And I check the weather wherever you are 'cause I wanna know if you can see the stars tonight."

The plane was rocking like a hammock in a hurricane.

There's something nerve racking about being 37,000 feet in the air with nothing below but a wide open sea while an airplane bounces all over the sky.

In these moments I thought about my children and the people I love. I thought about a friend and the heartache she is enduring today. Having recently experienced the miracle of a friend's prayers in my behalf, I prayed for her--that she would be given peace and comfort. (I love you M.)

I thought about life and the mixed bag that it is. Quickly finishing my cranberry juice before it landed in my lap, I looked out into the sunset sky. And missing the shoulder of a friend, I took a deep breath and surrendered. Then quietly I prayed, "Thank you God for this beautiful bumpy ride."

You know, it's all in there together. Isn't it? Everything. The light and the dark, the joy and the pain, the faith and the fear.

Life. The beautiful bumpy ride.

That being said, it's really good to be on the ground. Even at the LGB. Especially at the LGB. :D

Happy #3b: Mixing business with pleasure.

Never fill up on Kozy Shack Rice Pudding after you've had a dozen oyster shooters and a virgin Margarita for dinner. :-/

Happy #3a: Food and Mood.

Enough said.

I may have more to say about this later. But right now I need to polish off this tub of rice pudding.

Bottoms up. :)

Happy #2: Get outside with your eyes Open.

This afternoon I was driving back from Lynden, WA after meeting with Edaleen Dairy. As I drove along I was struck by the beauty of the freshly greened landscape. (Rain will do that...) The evergreens were wrapped with a swirl of delicate clouds that wound through their tops like a ribbon. The fields were a mix of straw and emerald and the barns were Barn RED. It was beautiful.

Looking to my left for oncoming traffic (no stop sign), I passed through a country intersection. And out the corner of my eye I caught the most majestic little mirror. It was just a tiny farm house pond. With a weeping willow tree. And a pasture. And a split rail fence holding back a barking black Lab. But it grabbed me. Then it stopped me.

I wouldn't have missed it for anything. And I wouldn't have seen it for anything if my eyes hadn't been open. Really Open.

So here's Happy #2. Get outside with your eyes Open. Really open. Wide Open. Enjoy mother earth. Drink her in.

All we've got is what we've got while it's going by. In the words of Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it."

Enjoy.

P.S. Yes, I stopped and took that picture. Actually, about 36 pictures. But who's counting? (It takes a few to get a great shot.) This one was the first picture I took. Figures. :)

Happy #1: We need each other.

I began gathering the idea for this blog about a week ago. I thought it could be a fun adventure to talk about happiness. Nothing new here, I understand. Bookstores could be filled with what's been written about happiness over time. It's something everyone wants.

And before today I intended this beginning to be a glowing synopsis, a sparkling cursory review layered with witty, charming, and engaging remarks intended to hook you and keep you reading.

Because while my life has been as much the toss of uncertainty as yours (and peppered with the hardship we all endure), I've been blessed to learn a little bit about being happy, regardless. And I wanted to share what I've learned with you. Because we do, afterall, want the same basic things. Don't we? Love. Food. Water. Happiness. Belonging.

Anyway, as I said, that was before today.

But today, I was given a gift. A reminder that we need each other. And a very powerful experience that demonstrated for me we can make a real, true difference in each other's lives. In the moments that count. In the moments when there is real, true, absolute need. Because we can't always get happy on our own. Sometimes we just can't. No matter how hard we try.

So to begin this blog, I will begin with this: We need each other. I think it's the most important happiness detail of all.

And I have renewed gratitude for the blessing we are to each other. (I also have tremendous gratitude for my beautiful daughters and their creative skills. Thank you Kelsie for the perfect graphics. And thank you Juliet for the perfect music.)

I have no idea where we're going from here.

That's the adventure part. :)

But I hope you'll keep reading.

Here's to you.