Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Step Stools and Sippy Cups

From Siosi Design + Build




I was telling my mother, elatedly, that I'd figured out a technique to keep me from losing my temper with my very, shall we say, spirited 2-year-old.  After I got her expected kudos, I finished, on a down and, 'realistic' note,
"Of course I'll probably still lose my temper a lot anyway."
And she said, "Why?  Maybe you won't."

The tiniest bit of thrill ran through me.  Maybe I wouldn't!  At some point, I'd needed a sippy cup to drink without spilling juice, a step stool to reach the sink when I washed my hands and a fire alarm ready and waiting whenever I cooked rice (true story: I set off the fire alarm at my dormitory during move-in day when everyone was halfway in and out with boxes and furniture.  Obviously, I never claimed the charred pot as my own).  The reasons are all different - I'm better at drinking juice now, i am tall enough to reach the sink on my own and my husband does the cooking.

Tony Robbins says that the past doesn't equal the future and that's a pretty liberating thought.  I mean, we never KNOW what will happen to change!  Sometimes it's so hard to see, not only in our own lives, but in the world at large, but things do change.  People used horses to get around town! Women never used to be able to wear pants.  Cell phones were a luxury a few power players could afford. 

So that thing?  That thing you always seem to do no matter how much you try or always seem to not do no matter how much you try?  You never know!  It might be next year's memory of a triumph - a growth that allows you to reach the sink now.

From Siosi Design + Build

Monday, April 22, 2013

Four Enjoyable Ways to Make the Earth Happy

This Earth Day I know we'll hear about changing out light bulbs and turning out lights which are, of course, very important.  However, I think there are some ways to make the Earth happy that also are, dare I say it, fun!  And isn't that the best?

Amanda Claire's photo "Open Window to Tuscany" available here

Open Your Windows

I know, I know, your view is possibly not the same as the above photo's view of Tuscany, but the majority of pollutants in your house are actually from inside your house!  So if you open your window, not only are you lowering your electricity bills, but you are cleaning the air in your home.  And this is the perfect time of year to enjoy the sound of birds singing, breezes stirring leaves and children laughing on the way home from school.





Host a Clothing Swap

Odds are you have a bunch of clothes (or even jewelry and decor!) you don't really wear anymore (not that you ever wore decor, but I think you know what I mean).  So rather than toss them out or let them soak up dust in the recesses of your closet, host a swap with friends!  It's the perfect time of year for a party (it's been forever since all the holiday ones!) and everyone could end up some great new-to-them clothes - no plastic bags or shipping necessary.



Go to Bed Early

I was reading through an article one day and read that some countries impose a lighting curfew so that people don't use so much electricity at night.  Now, as a die-hard night owl, the idea of having to go to bed early seems like a terrible idea but that doesn't mean that you can't take a night or two a week and just go to bed an hour earlier!  Think of the fun of reeeeeeaaally stretching out in your bed and daydreaming a little rather than conking off in two seconds because you're so exhausted.  Sounds kind of dreamy, doesn't it?


Wildflower Seed Bombs from Terrain

Plant flowers!  


They make bees happy and butterflies happy and people happy too!  These clay/compost/seed balls are so fun - just throw them in an abandoned field or dusty median or even your own yard to make wildflowers grow.  But really any packet of wildflowers or herbs will do - just pick out some hardy ones, sprinkle and wait for the magic to happen.



Any ones I've missed that you can think of?  Do tell!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Let's Start the New Year Right!

Wishing all of you the best next year evereverever!  Here's to an amazing 2013!


P.S. Video created by Sally!  

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

InterVention

A volcano venting.  Or is he just complaining?  I can't tell.  Image from here
So, I have decided to do an experiment. I realize that, while I'm a pretty perky person, I will often "vent" to my loved ones.  You know, about this guy or that guy or this person in traffic or that AT&T lady... And, while most people will accept that venting is a perfectly normal and healthy thing, I've begun to wonder what the difference is between venting and just plain ole complaining.  Is venting really truly like the word?  Where I'll explode from too much steam if I don't release it somehow?  And is the best way to release it through talking about it to some patient listener *coughcough*husbandsistermother*coughcough*?  

From what I've seen, oftentimes talking about the irritation, for the sole purpose of venting the emotion, just gets me all steamed up again.  And sometimes even gets the listener emotional too (yay!  A twofer!)  so my venting not only doesn't help me, it ends up messing up someone else's moment.

So here is my challenge: spend one week without venting via complaint.  Now, since I'm not a huge fan of rules, I'll be okay if I end up doing a little gripe here or there by accident (I'm easygoing), but I will make every effort to channel that steam that needs to be vented through some other way.  

My assistant in the matter at hand: Jon Bon Jovi.  Whenever I get all frustrated, I'm going to think of You Give Love a Bad Name.  Who can stay mad after that?
                 



Really, click play and try to stay mad.  

What do you think?

P.S. Check out my October Song Sketch, if you're so inclined! 

Sunday, July 15, 2012

It's Real


Someone posted this on Facebook and I've pretty much been playing it repeatedly since then.  I love, love, love the other, full-band version, but this one is so heartfelt, simple and divine.  


Hope your week is off to a marvelous start!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Happy Dance



This little video is just pure happiness.  Have you seen it yet? If not, a wonderful way to start off a week.  
If so, a wonderful way to start off a week.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear

One of the actual Brave teddy bear from here

Okay, so if you've been following me on Twitter or read my last post, you know that I went completely crazy over the movie Brave.  Forget about whether it is 'as good as a Pixar movie,' I thought it was one of the best movies I've seen - Pixar or not, animated or not - loved it.  


Without giving away any spoilers or anything, bears feature quite prominently in the movie.  I know I'm a little big for taking a teddy bear to bed but here are some I saw that I thought I wouldn't mind sneaking in...


From here

From here


From here

From here
And, my original favorite teddy bear, Pooh.  From here
What about you?  Do you have a favorite teddy?

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Caught!


Here is the feel-goodingest way to start off the week I can think of!  Hope this week is your best yet! 

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

PreHysterical

I've actually already posted this short film before but it's so good, it doesn't hurt to watch it twice.  Not to mention that anyone reading my blog probably wasn't reading it back when I first posted the video.



Nice side note, this is Joe Pitt's student film and I saw his name in the credits of Winnie the Pooh.  Yay for success!

P.S. Spoiler alert - the boy doesn't get hurt.  There's a little moment where I worried when I first saw it.

Monday, March 26, 2012

A Little Dis-Dystopian Reading

musings and tidbits
I admit.  I have never actually read Hunger Games so I have no room to make a judgment of what it's like.  


BUT, I do have a pretty clear of what it's about and I am not really into of dystopian worlds and kids killing each other.  So.  Here are three mood-lifting blogs I'm reading right now where you can visit to get your optimism, the-world-is-a-beautiful-place fix.


1.  musings and tidbits (pictured above)- is filled with lovely photos and inspiring quotes.  The perfect oasis to recharge and feel happy.



2.  Just Add Glitter and Stir - I have posted about this blog only, hmm, a trillion times or so but she is hiLARious so totally worth reading. Here are two of her recent posts filled with helpful essential know-hows: One and Two.



3.  So Cute it Hurts - Fortunately, I have yet to literally be hurt by her cuteness but if one could, I certainly would.  Because her site is all kinds of encouragement, prettiness and, well, cuteness.  

Friday, March 2, 2012

Sweet as Honey

Honey Harvest from Kinfolk on Vimeo.



I saw this video by Kinfolk on Vimeo the other week and thought it was just so magical.  There's something about bees and honey, I think, that make me feel hopeful.  So, I hope you have a delightful weekend and a perfectly marvelous March!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Friday, February 10, 2012

Eighteenth Episode of Rose-Colored Radio Show

Brought to you by Roses




In which we celebrate the joy of February, the romance of Valentine's and the love of love.  Including an interview with one of the greatest lovers of all time.


"I Love You/All Through the Night" available on my Love Songs and Lullabies
"Kind of Woman" available on Alice in Wonderland


Written by Sally Flynn and Emma Wallace

Monday, February 6, 2012

The Photographers Will Snap Us...




Amongst other recent addictions (Winnie the Pooh, flavored coffee, naps), I've gotten hooked on Instagram.  I come from a family of really excellent photographers so I was always intimidated when holding a camera.


But... then I got an iPhone.  And a baby.  But the iPhone first.  Both things had me start snapping up pictures at an alarming rate - so much so that I recently wasn't able to backup my phone to my computer I had so many photos!  So when I saw the February challenge (s), I jumped in with enthusiasm!  Yay!


Above are the two challenges I'm working on and below are some of the pics I've done so far.  





What do you think?  Did a smartphone make you into an amateur photographer too?

Friday, February 3, 2012

Drop What You're Doing and Come


The film I have been quite enjoying of late (my sister used the term 'obsessed,' I think) was 2011's Winnie the Pooh (I mentioned the short from the dvd last week).  I have the original completely memorized from when I was a kid and now, I have this one pretty much memorized as well!  


Not only is it charming and adorable, the songs in it are so catchy.  Many of them are sung by Zooey Deschanel - someone I previously hadn't really listened to - and are just deeee-lightful!  Here is my very favorite from the movie!


Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Happy, Happy New Year!




I hope 2012 is one of your best years yet and that the dreams you're hoping for fall into place perfectly.


Love you!
Emma




P.S. My New Year's podcast will be up on Friday! Come by and hear it!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Eighth Episode of Rose-Colored Radio Show

Brought to you by the blank page




In which we celebrate creativity and inspiration - just in time for International Dot Day on Thursday, September 15.



Written by Sally Flynn and Emma Wallace

Da Vinci II from Alice in Wonderland EP
Make Your Mark available for download here

Special thanks to Peter H. Reynolds for writing the book and encouraging creativity everywhere!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Make Your Mark




You may, or may not, know that International Dot Day is this very Thursday.  Dot Day, inspired by Peter H. Reynolds' The Dot, encourages you to embrace your creativity bravely and 'make your mark.'  We'll be doing a little feature on The Dot on Wednesday's podcast and for this momentous occasion, I wrote a little song about making your mark and doing what you want to do. 


Hope this starts your week off happily!