What Makes You Smile?

The other day I was watching a mother push her baby in a stroller and I was thinking about how babies always make me smile. Just the sight of a baby's face can lift my spirits immediately, and if they smile at me, then I am a complete fool. So I decided to make a list of things that make me smile. My list includes puppies or kittens playing, a beautiful flower, any sunrise or sunset, robins in the Spring (and the way they hop around), people dancing -- especially at a wedding, an older couple holding hands, a younger couple holding hands, children holding hands, anyone holding hands, a nice big avocado, sock monkeys, and more! I really loved making my list because it made me realize how many things make me smile! I am going to post it somewhere so it can bring a smile to my face often.

I also appreciate it when a stranger smiles at me with a really big smile, just in passing, giving me a gift of acknowledgement and kindness. Smiles make me so grateful for the connections we have with each other. Even smiling when you are alone is a wonderful way to brighten your life at no personal expense! Hooray!

Getting Out of Bed!

Last week I had a cold, but I still had to get out of bed every morning at 6:30 a.m. because I was doing a facilitator's training out of state. Yesterday I was still feeling a little under the weather, so I had a love affair with the snooze alarm and didn't wander out of bed until after 9 a.m. Now that's not the worst thing, but it did throw my day off as far as getting things done.

When I went to bed last night, I was determined to get back into a good wake-up time, so the alarm was set for 7:30 a.m. When I woke up, I hit the snooze alarm, my husband checked in to see if I was getting ready to get out of bed, and then I hit the snooze alarm again. I almost slipped into the haze of not getting out of bed very early. For some reason I thought of this -- even though it is cozy and warm in bed, it is a very limited world. When I am in bed, I only have access to my bed, pillows, nightstand, books, and sleep. But when I am out of bed, I have the whole world of my computer, the whole house, my car, my neighborhood and town, my adventures, and my family and friends. I won't know what is going to happen today until I get into the rhythm of it! I might even be missing out on something by arriving late to my day! Oh no!

It made me so happy to have invented a new wellness tool that it would have been impossible to get back to sleep anyway!

Weak or Strong?

I woke up this morning with this phrase in my head -- "I am a curious mixture of strengths and weaknesses!" I know that is true of all of us, but for some reason that phrase really struck me and so I played around with it in my journal. I read one time that one person is never ALL strong or ALL weak, and that was very reassuring to me. I used to feel that if I was on the top of my game, I would be strong most of the time. But it really is sort of a game, isn't it? It's easy to feel strong when you are thinking about conquering your fears and achieving your goals. It's a whole other thing to walk tall and proud right through the anxiety and confusion and conquer whatever it is that is challenging you.

I have the advantage of having a WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), because it is full of wellness tools and action plans which I have devised to help me coordinate my life. It is amazing to me that wellness tools are mostly fun and when I turn them into action plans, I really do get empowered to overcome a lot life's expected and unexpected trials and tribulations!

I take comfort in the fact that even if I have been feeling weak and wimpy for a while, I can delve into that "curious mixture of strengths and weaknesses" and pick out some strengths to cultivate. I do that in many ways -- by writing in my journal every day and checking in with myself, making lists, getting support from friends and family, doing fun and creative things, and even by doing something silly.

It really doesn't matter if we are feeling weak or strong! What matters is that we know that we can work to our strengths and surprise ourselves by the choices we make which will eventually empower us, and we can choose again at any second! Hooray!

Movie Happiness!

One of my best wellness tools is going to the movies by myself. I enjoy being with other people, but for stress reduction purposes, I usually find the best results when I can spontaneously decide to pick a movie on my own, without consultation, go at a time that is totally convenient for me, and really be able to get into a zone of personal movie watching that takes me out of my own world for a couple of hours. I love going to the movies under any circumstances, and try to keep an eye on what is happening with new movies, so when I am in the mood for a solo excursion, I can usually find a movie that has had good reviews so I don't ruin the benefits of a great adventure with a mediocre movie!

For years I had a fantasy of going to a whole bunch of movies in a row. During a particularly rough time, I decided to go for it and went to two matinees and an evening show. I just happened to pick a day where there were three great movies showing. I am always invigorated by a fun movie experience, but after three movies in a row, I could have built a barn! I was also so relaxed and happy that I remember feeling stress free for a long time after my movie marathon. With matinee prices, my whole adventure cost me $15.00!

I have also created movie adventures at home with a little pre-planning. I either rent a movie, get one from the library, or check the TV movie schedule. Local libraries and colleges often offer free movies -- just check your local newspaper.

Thank you to all the movies I have ever watched, and a big thank you in advance to all the movies in my future!

Extended Thinking

I try to remember to do extended thinking as I proceed through my day. Often my first thought or reaction is not the smartest or best one for me, so I try to keep on thinking of other alternatives. For example, if I am looking at a piece of pie, my first thought is always to want to devour it and be happy in the moment. But if I do extended thinking, I might remember that I also have some really delicious tangerines that might even taste better and be even more fun to eat. Often, I can end up with a happier choice. This works with shopping too. I might be momentarily carried away with the notion that I can't live without buying something, but if I think a few steps more, I can logically remember that I have similar things already at home, I can borrow that book from the library, or I can even wait a while to make that purchase.

If someone asks me to do something, I used to say yes too frequently and consider the consequences later. Now I tell them I'll let them know later. This gives me the time to consider all the angles and give careful consideration to whether I really want to say yes, or if no would be a better answer. Then, even if I say no, I am better prepared to represent myself.

Remembering to do extended thinking is a challenge because I am an enthusiastic person and can get swept away easily. But when I do remember, and take some time with my decisions, I always end up happier and more proud of myself. Even if I decide to go with my first impulse, it feels good to take the time to consider some options.

Car Wash Fun!

I was going to wait a while before I started revealing some of my more unusual wellness tools, but I had so much fun again today while I was getting my car, Molly, washed that here goes! I go to a car wash where I get to stay in the car, then I turn on classical music, and as the car goes through the wash, the music absolutely matches all the excitement of the sponge strips swishing, the soap bubbling, the water spraying and even the whooshing sounds seem to coordinate with all the musical instruments on the radio. I've done this many times so I know it works every time, no matter what kind of classical music you have on. One thing you have to watch though, is not to be smiling too broadly (or even laughing) as you emerge to the waiting dryers of your car. I do know that I am one of their biggest tippers because I am in such a good mood. In the messy winters of N. E. Ohio, many people probably are annoyed at having to get their cars washed so often -- but for me, it is a time to chuckle, relax, and have a silly time!

Thinking About Colors!

Some days are just a little gloomy -- either because of the weather, or because of our mood. One of the things I do to lift my spirits on days like that is to pay attention to colors. I do this in all kinds of ways. If I am driving and it is hazy or gray outside, I might notice the brighter colors and how they stand out. Soon I am traveling in a much more cheerful world! The other day I spotted hot pink smiley flags at a car dealership, bright billboards, trucks that were designed in vivid colors, and buildings that were painted in unlikely wild colors. Have you ever noticed the gift that pine trees give us in the Winter by staying green all year round? If I am driving a long stretch of highway, I often pick out the pine trees as my color treat among all the bare branches of the other trees.

I also like to pay attention to how colors look with each other. Orange is not my favorite color until it is next to hot pink, and then wowee! Looking at color combinations is a great thing to do on a day when I need distractions or to lift my awareness factor. Or I might pick just one color and look for it all day long -- that's a great way to develop a friendly attachment to a color! I check it out in all it's shades and variations.

Having conversations about colors can be fascinating. Asking someone to tell you their favorite color or colors can often spark a really interesting exchange of color opinions. I love to ask people about their least favorite color. I feel guilty to not like orange because we are so lucky to have colors at all, so I am always trying ways to increase my affection for it. Some days I can groove into the orange idea -- other days, not so much!

I enjoy dressing in bright colors. Sometimes I dress in them because I am in a great mood -- other times because I am trying to get in a great mood! The other day I was wearing a bright blue coat, a colorful striped scarf, jeans, and wildly designed boots at a restaurant. A gentleman came up to me and said, "You are the most colorful person I am going to see all day!"

Aren't you glad we don't live in a black and white world?