10 #Tips for a #HappyLife - Smile

I was told that there are FOUR basic emotions - Anger, Sadness, Happiness, and Worry. Everything else is a combination of those in varying degrees (In Inside Out, they used Disgust and Fear, but hey, it's not an exact science - don't worry about it!)

Either way you slice it, HAPPINESS is OUTNUMBERED!

That's why it takes a lot of effort to get over a tough situation.
That's why feeling happy and positive is so awesome!
That's why we need to spread more of it around.

It's so easy to criticize and doubt and make fun of others - Twitter and social media have become trumpets of negativity. So much arguing. No compromise or giving others a chance or trying to see things from another perspective. Blech!

Remember when TVs were called "idiot boxes?" Well, it looks like phones and devices are taking their place, but they're worse. They possess people! People become obsessed with them. They can't live without the little buggers. The instant feedback is addictive. And many base their happiness on the number of "likes" or "followers" they have.

My hope is for people to realize we need to disconnect from our devices sometimes and have in person, human interactions. Put down the device and look around. Communicate face to face. Take a walk without your earbuds and listen to nature. Have a device-free meal and talk to your family.

This Device Free Dinner video made me smile =)

Share a real live smile, not just an emoji!
Smiles are healthy contagious!
Spread happiness with a smile!

Have a happy week!

The POISON We Create

About a week ago, a good friend and I were having a late night convo. She's one of those friends you take your problems to, vent them to the high heavens with no judgement on their part. THOSE kinds of friends are seriously the best! Anyways, there I was venting out my "to the high heavens", and she gave the best advice I could ever receive heard elsewhere.

It's like YOU'RE drinking the poison, but waiting for THEM to die.

And then, it all made sense. I literally was poisoning my life, my family, my world by dredging on things going on, knowing I couldn't control them, or better yet - people are going to do stupid things all the time.

So what to do? Well, like the quote says, if I'm going to drink the poison, then I'm only hurting myself internally by stewing about it. And stewing means your attitude changes, and THAT effects other facets of your life as well. BUT, if I don't drink the poison, then...I'm literally letting it go.

How hard is that? Well, very. I am human. And my personality is the type to remember those things. But, when phrased like I'm killing myself while they continue life like la-la-la...um, well, then the joke is on me. And that sucks.

I hope this reaches out to anyone stressing their life out with unnecessariness. It happens. It's real. We create it. We mold it. We embellish it. We sometimes even see things that aren't there. Stop. Think about it. Stop whatever it is you're doing to create the poison and getting you to drink it. It's not easy. But it's worth it!! Peace will come. Give it a few days. Heck, a few weeks. It's worth it!! And P.S. - so are you!

Suck out the poison...and keep...moving...forward!!

Pumping Iron

Visit Spice of Life for more smiles

Ironing. 
Love it. Hate it. Avoid it. 

What's to love? The history! 

Did you know the board we use today was invented by a freed African-American slave? Sarah Boone was a dressmaker in Connecticut. She did a lot of ironing and got fed up with boards that didn't quite fit, so she designed the board we all know and love today. I suppose until Sarah stepped up and made improvements, people were ironing on tables and floors like broke college students.

What's to hate? The work! 
But we can make that a little easier...

1. Line your board with foil to reflect the heat from the iron.
2. Keep a spray bottle of clear water handy. Set it to mist, not stream.
3. Iron easily scorched items by covering with a square of cotton, like a pillow case or cloth napkin.
4. Got a broken decal (you know, the raised kind like on jerseys)? Touch up the bad sections with waxed paper. Lay waxed side down and use the tip of the hot iron to go over the section.
5. Accidentally got goop on your iron that will leave black smears? Try toothpaste first. If that fails, use a fine grit sandpaper attached to a wooden block. Rub gently while iron is hot, wipe clean.

What to avoid? Any bit you can!

1. Hang or fold easily wrinkled clothes immediately from the dryer.
2. Allow clothes to run through the cool cycle on the dryer before tossing in a basket.
3. Never press clothes into the basket, like my husband. Three loads of clothes stuffed in one basket will always cause wrinkles.
4. Left a load of clothes in the basket too long and have a mess of wrinkles? Spritz clothes with clear water and toss back in the dryer.
5. Bringing out seasonal clothes from bags in storage? Soak a washcloth with water and a bit of liquid fabric softener and toss in dryer with clothes. It removes the wrinkles and comes out smelling fresh.