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Hi all! With everything that is going on between the Covid-19 and the economic fallout, friends losing jobs, people being furloughed, living in tight quarters with our alcoholics or addicted loved ones, etc......it can be so overwhelming to process everything and find peace. Let's start a little thread here and share any type of good news you may have. Something as simple as "yay, I found toilet paper at the store (lucky one you are)" to "I got up and did my daily reading and journaling today", etc.
Whatever happened that made your day or someone else's better. Please share! We can all use a bit of cheer, happiness, and positivity.
I'll go ahead and get it started:
Today I made the mistake of going to the grocery store for eggs and bacon. That was it but I grabbed a few other things and made my way to the self checkout line. All lines were way backed up because we just got the stay at home orders for our state taking effect. Anyway, a young employee of the grocer was looking to get in line and he only had a juice and an apple. I offered to have him go ahead of me as I was next in line to get to the front and I looked at the folks behind me to see if they minded if I let him through. The kid was ecstatic. Like over the top appreciative. I told him I knew he probably was on break and only had a few minutes and I didn't want him to waste it standing in line. He thanked me profusely. Honestly, it was a very SMALL gesture but to him, it made his day.
Then I decided that my poor nails, both hands and feet, needed help! I haven't been to the salon for weeks in an effort to stay away from folks and they were in sorry shape. So I just finished a manicure and pedicure all by self. Did a little soak of the feet, scrubbed off some calluses, etc and I have to say that they don't look too bad, lol. And, then I patted myself on the back for saving a bunch of money by not getting my nails done at the salon, too.
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Never grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be!
Andromeda, what a great idea! I love your self-care and act of kindness. That brings true happiness.
My favorite yoga teacher is now conducting classes online with Zoom, so today I was able to have a fantastic yoga session in my own living room. There's something about a "live" experience that is better than a video -- and all gyms, yoga studios, etc. are closed -- so I am grateful!
Thanks Andromeda... ... I had an old piece of hedge, out the front, that needed taming. We had a bonny day- not a cloud in the sky. We can address our neighbours from a distance. Everyone seems a bit more relaxed this week. A good day. ...
Hi, Andromeda, and everyone else. You have taken the words right out of my mouth. As I was only thinking recently, that I would love to start a Topic, like you have. With all of what is going on in the upside down, world we have now, I too think, we all need a break from what is happening.
I have loved the sharings that are up already. What can I share, well, just for today, I heard my favourite bird, he only comes when Autumn, and Winter is here. Don't ask me what he is as I haven't got a clue, but I just love to hear him, as I don't like Summer, I know the cooler weather is coming. I say to myself, if I can't hear the Birds, I know I am in trouble. Also, I have a neighbour who isn't doing too well, emotionally. I got a paper, and drew a smiley Face on it, and told her that I was thinking about her. For me to draw a Smiley face is a Miracle, as I was behind the door when drawing was handed out. My darling great Grand Daughter, use to come over and "Try" to give me Drawing Lessons. She was about 4 at the time.
Also,I am borrowing Davids, Sheep. To help me sleep.
I just LOVE this sharing the good idea! Thanks for starting, Andromeda!
I enjoyed an early morning walk today with my 2 heelers (Chloe cannot walk until her leg heals). I am SO excited that after a year of daily walks, they are starting to get the "don't pull on the leash" concept. There were a few moments throughout the walk where we were all walking calmly in the same direction, no pulling, no battle of wills, no corrections needed, no high pitches squealing due to squirrel sightings. Those were moments of absolute enjoyment! And, I love the early morning - being up before the sun, when the birds are starting to wake up is my favorite!
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
My happy happenings -- I am home, safe, and healthy. From the "what more needs to be said" perspective, that's primary. It's a focal point. While perspective and attitude is important, I am a realist. I am on the front-line of what's going on in the world around us, financially, economically, etc. The decisiveness we are witnessing is a function of today's day and age, and society in general.
While the "current" and "today" often minimizes or erases what we've seen in the past, we as a nation have witnessed a great deal in our world. During World War II, we had very scary times. We as a nation did not know our future -- as a country. We had threats from Germany and Japan, and there was no certainty, and no guarantees like we have today. No person, no family, went without sacrifice or loss. Everyone, we as a nation were in harm's way. We didn't have "live" experiences, internet, cell phones, or technology anywhere near what we have today. Everyone sacrificed, and you simply couldn't buy anything you wanted. We lived in a world of rations, and you were only allowed to buy a certain amount of milk, bread, and yes, toilet paper! Everything, life, was restricted.
We witnessed, and survived other viruses -- may we not forget polio and measles, and others. Children used to walk to school and see many houses along the way that were quarantined. Yet, schools were not shut down. Cities were not shut down. Today, things have changed, and they must. But, we persevered, we survived, and eventually, we thrived. There was no hand sanitizer back then, LOL. When I was a child, we had less than 13 channels on TV. Losing internet connection or not having coverage on your cell phone was not an issue as we had neither of those things.
No, while today is disruptive, sad, and tragic, we do not have to compare what is to what was just to feel better. Because, what's important -- what's truly important -- is what we need to realize is truly important.
I catch myself when I start to "feel down" or complain. I take off the glasses I am looking through at that moment, and I immediately put on another pair of glasses...so I can see...truly see.
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Bo
Keep coming back...
God, grant me the serenity...to accept the PEOPLE I cannot change...the courage to change the ONE I can...and the wisdom to know it's ME...
I have so many things to be grateful for. I keep a daily gratitude list and even in my journal last night I was writing down the things I was feeling grateful for.
To my knowledge, all my loved ones are safe and healthy.
I can work from home.
I have food in the kitchen and money in the bank.
I am grateful I have a recovery program to be my foundation through these uncertain times.
A little quirky gratitude thing I felt the other day - I'm grateful over the last couple of years I went vegan and insodoing I really needed to learn how to cook for myself since I have the best control over what goes into my food that way. Since I don't like being bored and sticking with the same food all the time, I've experimented and tried hundreds of different recipes through the years. With finding certain foods available at the grocery store now being a bit of a challenge, I'm so grateful that over the years of cooking that I've learned how to cook certain foods and make things taste good and that I don't HAVE to follow a recipe. I ad-libbed a curry recipe the other day with oven roasted butternut squash and sweet potato, curry seaoning and thai red curry paste, carrots, cooked lentils, spinach, cilantro, coconut milk and lime juice. It turned out great and I didn't have to follow a recipe. So that was a little proud moment for myself.
Like it or not, I imagine that these drastic changes to the volume of people out traveling is going to give our planet a little bit of an environmental break.
Like it or not, despite the stress and scare-factor that's going on with this, I feel HP is using this as a means to get people to re-center and understand what is TRULY important - and it's not how many followers we have on social media, or how many zeroes we have in our bank accounts, or what's parked in our garage, or how skinny and beautiful we are. It's the health and well-being of our loved ones. I'm trying to look at this all as a blessing in disguise. This is a big pause I felt I was needing, at least. Truly, around the beginning of the year I was just thinking about how much I'd like to get some extra rest. And now I HAVE that opportunity, so I don't intend to squander it.
Yesterday I noticed "Stick" - that is the name I gave my Fuyu persimmon tree - had burst forth one of his leaf buds! I was so beyond excited b/c that means the planting in the ground I did in the fall actually worked, and this little stick is going to grow! Soon, he won't be just a "stick," but a bonifde tree!
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"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
Thanks Andromeda for the great topic and love the shares! We have officially been under a 'stay @ home' order for more than 2 weeks and have been socially isolating for more than a month. I'm super pleased and happy to have a program and an extensive support system that makes each day a new experience and way less concerning.
There's a tree right outside my bathroom window that has a single (momma) bird in it. She sings loudly each morning and it just brightens my spirit. I have no doubt that she's got eggs and I can't wait for the morning I wake up and hear the babies!
Monday, after 4 weeks without, I made a huge taco spread just for AH and I! I love and miss my taco gal pal outing on Mondays, so ad-libbed @ home, and included all my gal pals via text/video chat.
Yesterday, I golfed and the gal I golfed with and I were sharing how grateful we both are that we are 'low-maintenance' gals - hair, nails, etc. We are not concerned about fading color, short natural nails, etc. We also stumbled upon a bunch of tulips that we not only up, but fully blooming! Breath-taking colors...
My 'modified normal' includes also mourning the loss of our sweet dog Layla....I really, really miss her but can now smile and sweet talk other people's dogs if I encounter them while out for a walk. Very, very happy for progress, one day at a time.
Life is really, really good in spite of the virus. I've talked to people more and reached out way more than when I am freely able to 'go'. I love to stay busy and active and enjoy finding creative ways to continue. Make it a great day all....(((Hugs)))
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
It's May Day. Imagine there's a little basket of posies that someone who cares about you has hung on your door knob. Once upon a time, that was a thing.
For the first time in 3 weeks, I can breathe all the way to the bottom of my lungs without feeling a tickle. I so wanted to be over that before anything new might happen.
The pecan trees are beginning to leaf out--we're going to be at 100% shade capacity soon.
My beautiful, big, furry kitty boy comes every morning for a cuddle and purr session before I get out of bed.
I'm cooking all our meals and Hubs' blood pressure is down to normal. And he's doing all the clean up, bless his heart.
Good things have happened for some of my friends.
Everyone I know is healthy.
I am still gobsmacked every day by how beautiful is our planet.
Hugs!
Temple
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It's easy to be graceful until someone steals your cornbread. --Gray Charles
Thank you for the topics and shares. I got a text from my bro yesterday who is living in one of states with highest mortality. A few day back he became very ill went to the ER but tested negative for the virus. He falls into one of the most at risk populations. He texted yesterday that he is beginning to get well and went for a drive to pick up a few necessities. The news was a great relief to me.
I found and bought tp yesterday too. I'd been to three stores a few days ago but alas there was none even at the store where things are sold in small quantity because everything is just a buck. Who would have thought we would be putting toilet paper near the top of our gratitude lists lol. I followed the online recipe for hand sanitizer and made that so I no longer need to search for that.
A sense of humor is helping to lighten things up for us. My A told me he loved me the other morning. I told him, "I love you more than dollar store bread." He appreciated that We've always laughed a lot with one another but it's especially helpful now.
Local artists are giving free concerts online and that's a nice perk since we can't gather. Also, this has been the third day in a row of picture perfect weather. We have been able to get out and walk and keep our distance without issue here.
I read a sweet article this morning about a golden retriever who is delivering groceries to an elderly neighbor and visiting. A few pics were posted as well. It put a smile on my face and brought back memories of dogs I've had.
We've been playing some board games to take our minds off stressful projection. I'm cooking and baking more. I have an artistic side and have been searching out new ideas and techniques online and been creating while listening to my favorite music and feeling closer to my higher power. I love all the uplifting shares. Thank you! TT
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
My happy happening is 'knowing' for years that physical exercise can boost emotional health, but it was always somehow more of an unticked item on my 'to do' list before this virus. Today I did a 4 mile jog (almost unheard of for me) and realised that not only did I feel physically better but emotionally felt great aswell. Plus in the UK we are asked to only do local walks we can get to from our houses (rather than drive to a beauty spot) and I also found some lovely almost deserted little lanes going right out into green fields full of spring, which without this virus I am fairly certain I would never have sought out or found.
Plus games night with the family - (well all except AH) - but I will take it.
I share similar happenings... From the backyard, I marveled this morning at the incredible variety of birds around the feeder. Even a squirrel sat in, all together... peacefully sharing in this "daily bread." Made me smile and feel hopeful about the self-less-ness that is sure to come out of all this, after our entire world lost its balance and got so sick.
Also observed how long my little chihuahua appeared to have been sitting and wait wait waiting at the back door... No anxiety, his little brain knows the door will open eventually. when I apologize for the wait, he is quick to forgive.
Just embracing the inspiration everywhere... thanks for bringing it here (((all)))
-- Edited by 2HP on Wednesday 1st of April 2020 01:37:25 PM
So, today I am working from home and our company president made it clear there will be no layoffs and that we, actually, hired 250 employees for the last 2 weeks of March.
I am truly grateful for my job.
My bf and I are trying to stay active but I'm dealing with a tendon injury in my foot and he just tore his quadricep last week while we were out hiking so this weekend we're going to learn how to play pickleball in the street or on a public court, hopefully not overdoing it so we don't hurt ourselves again. And, we're going to go for a drive to find some dispersed camping for the summer and take his old dog with us.
I've definitely been cooking more so my son and bf are beyond happy! Just made banana bread yesterday while on my lunch break! So yummy.
I still can't find toilet paper but I think we'll be ok for a few weeks. I also took up doing those adult coloring books with all the cool patterns in them. Using my evenings to hang out with my son, who got furloughed from his job, and watch some TV while coloring has been nice. I spend my weekends with my bf and tonight he's going to get us sushi for takeout to support a local business and tomorrow we're grilling some chicken for weekend lunch/dinner.
I have been doing weekly zoom meetings with a group fo 7 women and we're really enjoying catching up with each other. One is an ER nurse in Hawaii, another is recovering from surgery for a broken collarbone and is trying to homeschool while working full time, another is furloughed from her salon job, and another is not getting any work from her attorney since she's a contractual legal assistant. ANyway, we're all in different places in our lives and it's nice that we get together and share our frustrations and our habits/techniques that are getting us through.
Happy Friday!
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Never grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be!
Hello! Thanks for this topic. After a particularly rough morning with AH, I could use a re-focus.
Things I am grateful for / happy about today:
1) my family is healthy. as far as I know, my colleagues and students are also healthy.
2) In my county, our local agency that is reporting on virus things added two columns to their daily report - deaths (yikes, so far, zero but .. ) and recoveries (single digits, but everyone's spirits were greatly lifted by that addition.)
3) I'm slowly developing a little bit of a routine regarding my job (teaching) being online. I'm one of the very fortunate to still have a job in these crazy times.
4) I have this group to keep me sane. :)
The new shares here on this topic really lifted my spirits this morning. Thank you andromeda for starting this thread, and thank you to all who are sharing their Joy... through you, I am finding even more Joy!!!
So last night I came home from work - it is still light out now. As I was in the kitchen, I looked out my sink window towards my bird feeders. I have a bird feeding "station," and 3 Hummingbird feeders as well. I was shocked to see no less than 15 Hummingbirds... all vying for a spot to feed from one of the feeders!!
I have always envied those people who can attract loads of Hummingbirds... but I have never been one of them! Usually I have one aggressive bird that camps out and drives all the others away.
In that bunch, there were Anna's (both the males with the magenta heads and females), many Allen's (probably the most common in my yard) and I also have two male Rufous Hummingbirds! They are migratory and I don't see them often. They are a bright, all over rusty color with very little green (if any), and a flashy orange throat. I love when they call my yard "home." I also was lucky enough to see a male Black-throated Hummingbird!! Those I know are around, b/c I see the females quite often at my feeders, but the males are elusive, so I felt so lucky!
I laughed as I texted my mom about all the activity at the feeders... she texted back "You did it! Knowing that I have always wanted to attract so many Hummies.
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"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
Thanks Andromeda... 
... I had an old piece of hedge, out the front, that needed taming. We had a bonny day- not a cloud in the sky. We can address our neighbours from a distance. Everyone seems a bit more relaxed this week. A good day. 
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We've always laughed a lot with one another but it's especially helpful now. 