If It Makes You Happy

I've been working on a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days.  One of those things was to create a list of 101 things that make me happy.  The list is something that I finished several months ago.  You can see it in it's entirety here.

For me, lately, life has been crazy.  It's been hard.  It's been stressful.  It's been overwhelming.  And in that time I've forgotten to remember how very blessed I am.  How many things in this world make me happy.  While I already have 101 things, I thought it would be fun to think of a few more.

102.  Having an a-ha moment.  You're watching tv, reading an article or talking to someone and all of the sudden something switches.  Something clicks.  And you suddenly understand something in a way you didn't before.  You learn something new that changes a perception.  You go a-ha!  Having an a-ha moment makes me happy.

103.  Seeing lightbulbs go off in other peoples' minds.  Especially as a teacher, but even in other aspects of my life, when talking about something with someone and you see them grasp a new concept.  You almost feel like you can see the gears kick into motion as the light goes off... those moments make me happy.

104.  Having something you cook or bake turn out really well.  I really enjoy baking.  And if I don't have to do the dishes I enjoy cooking too.  But when you are making something and you are wary of how it is going to turn out.  You are unsure of how it will look or taste, you get a little nervous.  Like your effort could be wasted.  But when you pull it out of the oven, or off the stove and try it... and it tastes great, that's an awesome feeling.  When something you cook or bake turns out really well... that makes me happy.

105.  Book sales.  I've mentioned before how sales make me happy.  But more specifically, book sales make me happy.  I can't resist.  A bargain shelf, a store closing, a new release on sale.  It's like a compulsion.  I have close to 50 books at home, sitting on my bookshelf that are new purchases (within the 10 months) that I've yet to read.  Some are used, some have yet to ever be opened.  But all hold a new story, a new adventure, a new escape within.  Book sales, make me happy.


106.  Having 'my' space.  My parents recently completed a renovation in their basement.  After college I moved home and was living in a den with two doors as my bedroom.  But after the renovation I have the nicest room in the house and a bathroom that is virtually mine alone.  And I love it.  Having my space makes me very happy.


107.  Reunion dinners with friends.  Life takes us in many different directions.  We lose touch with friends after various graduations.  People move, they get new jobs, start new lives.  But every once in a blue moon you have a get together.  For me, there is a group of us that always go to Applebee's when we get together.  It's every 6 months or so, when we are all in town at the same time and we get together for dinner and drinks.  It's a time to catch up.  To remember.  Reunion dinners with friends make me happy.

108.  Coordinating things.  Your new pen matches your new notepad.  Your new blouse matches that pair of boots in your closet perfectly.  Your lists for work are color coordinated (with matching colors of course!).  Everything with a certain aspect of your life is marked in a certain color or font (church, a certain class, kids).  Coordinating things makes me happy, because it just looks so nice.

So there are another few things that make me happy.  Small things.  But things none the less.  Things that on those rainy days I can remember.  And things that on those sunny days I can enjoy even more.  What makes you happy?  Have you ever stopped to think about it?  Because sometimes, on a crummy day, finding that one little thing that makes you happy... can well... make you happier.

Wordy Wednesday

Normally I am much more on top of things.  I have a post for today lined up days in advance.  Or I at least have time while getting ready in the morning to throw something up.  But today, no dice.

Fitting since it's Wordy Wednesday.  Something I started because Wednesdays are always a busy day in my schedule.  A checkpoint in a busy week.

On this day in 1778 Friedrich von Steuben arrived at Valley Forge.  A Prussian military officer, von Steuben came to America to help train the Continental soldiers.  He did not speak English, but upon his arrival he began to train the Continental Army and restore basic hygiene that had been lacking in the army. Today's quote is from Baron Von Steuben:

You say to your soldier, 'Do this' and he does it. But I am obliged to say to the American, 'This is why you ought to do this' and then he does it.

Happy Wednesday!

Get Out That Shovel

Months ago I made a list of commandments.  Personal ones just for me.  Things I wanted to remember, lessons to learn, words to guide me.

I've talked about some of them before:

Be Heather.

Dance With God.  Let Him Lead.

Let Go of Perfect.

No Deposit, No Return.

Be in Awe.

Enjoy the Ride.

Care and Show You Do.

My 8th commandment is to Dig a Little Deeper.  If you are familiar with Disney movies, and have seen Princess and the Frog, you will recognize my inspiration.

You got to dig a little deeper

Find out who you are

You got to dig a little deeper

It really ain't that far

When you find out who you are

You'll find out what you need

Blue skies and sunshine guaranteed

For me, this commandment is all about figuring out what I really want.  What I really need.  Not what others what for me.  Or what others need from me.  Digging deep to find out what makes me Heather.  

This ones short and sweet.  Dig a little deeper.  When you think you've got it figured out, dig a little more.

Remember to live the best you can.  Love the most you can.  Tell the people that you love, you love them.  Take a break and soak up the sun.  Little things on your to-do list can wait... the sunset won't!

Wordy Wednesday

Wednesday's are the middle of the week.  A reminder of all that has been done, and all that is left to do this week.  For many it is a busy day, a long day.  Today at The Sunset Won't it is Wordy Wednesday.  I share a lyric, quote or short passage that I have enjoyed.

Today's quotes are famous first lines from novels.  Can you guess which ones they come from?

Call me Ishmael.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. 

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.

If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. 

Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.

124 was spiteful.

I had the story, bit by bit, from various people, and, as generally happens in such cases, each time it was a different story.

There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.

It was love at first sight.

In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.

You better not never tell nobody but God.

The cold passed reluctantly from the earth, and the retiring fogs revealed an army stretched out on the hills, resting.

Book Review: The Healer's Apprentice

The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

My favorite Disney movie is Sleeping Beauty.  And so, when I came across this book I was very excited.  In this novel, by Melanie Dickerson the classic story of Sleeping Beauty is retold through the life of a young woman named Rose.  She is the daughter of a woodcutter who is sent to apprentice under the local Healer.  When the perfect man comes along and she falls in love with him, because of a curse she is kept away from him.

This is a lovely story.  And if you know the story of Sleeping Beauty you can see the plot twists coming, but nonetheless it was still a good read.  A new take on an old classic.

This book would be appropriate for young adults and is and interesting

This complimentary copy of the novel was provided by Zondervan for review purposes.

Wordy Wednesday

It's once again Wednesday.  Of what for me has been a slower week.  But I only have two days left until the weekend.  It's a busy day so on Wednesday's I share a quote, song lyric or poem that I connect with.  That I want to pass on to you.

Today's quote comes from a song by Francesca Battistelli called I'm Letting Go:

This is a giant leap of faith

Trusting and trying to embrace

The fear of the unknown

Beyond my comfort zone

I'm letting go,

Of the life I planned for me,

And my dreams.

Losing control of my destiny.

Feels like I'm falling and that's what it's like to believe,

So I'm letting go.

A good reminder for me in times of trial.  When things don't seem to go the way I plan or hope.

Happy Wednesday!

Boxing

Boxes big and boxes small.  Inside of boxes aren't we all?

I'm a daughter, a sister, a teacher, a mentor, a Christian, a lover of history, a hater of ignorance.

I'm comfortable in my box.  It's safe.  It's secure.  Sure theres tape holding it all in sometimes, but overall I'm sturdy.  Steady.

Sometimes I peak through the top.  Through the tiny holes on the side.  I see other boxes and wonder what it's like on the other side.  But I'm safe so I stay.  I don't open the lid.

But I've recently realized that just because I fit nicely into one box doesn't mean that's all I have to do.  I can open up that lid.  I can try new things.  I'm planning a trip that I'm excited about with people I don't know super well.  But it's good for me.  I'm learning.  But man does it take a lot of time.

Remember to live life the best you can, love the most you can.  Moments are precious, many things can wait... The Sunset Won't.

Under My Umbrella

About a week ago I wrote about how sometimes in life 'when it rains, it pours.'  Then I talked about the world not crumbling if I take a break.  If I take some time for myself.  Something that is hard for me.  But today...

... today I pulled out that umbrella.  Several of them.  After work today I packed up my stuff and booked it out of school.  I drove to a cafe/creamery.  I ordered a 1/2 pistachio 1/2 Creme Brule gelato and an iced chai tea (yum yum!).  I sat down at a big booth and pulled out my laptop.  I plugged in some headphones and made a playlist.

That's a lot of umbrellas.  Umbrellas that for the next hour and a half I am enjoying.  All by myself.  Something I don't normally do, taking a break, time for me.  I told someone at work that I had a "me date" after school.  Time to recharge my batteries

I am going to sit and blog, catch up on some blogs that I haven't had time or energy to read.  I brought a book, or maybe I will just sit and... just sit.  Who knows.  But what I do know is that the storm is easing.  Even if just for this hour and a half the storm doesn't seem so bad.

And you know what?

For now, that's enough.

I hope you all have a chance to pull out your umbrella, to recharge and take some time for you.

Wordy Wednesday

Wednesdays are often busy days.  They are a reminder of all that we have done in the week, and all that is left to do.  They are days that are filled with school, work, family, religious events, etc.  So here at The Sunset Won't we have Wordy Wednesdays.  A day where I share a quote, short passage, or song lyric.  Something that I like and have decided to pass on to you.

It's Groundhog's Day:

The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears.  ~Bill Vaughn