Happy Gratitude Sunday everyone! I hope you’ve all had a fantastic week.
First, I want to let you know how grateful I am for all of YOU. I love seeing all of your comments each week and getting to know you. You are truly the most amazing, genuine and HAPPIEST people, and I am so lucky to have met you!
Here are 3 *more* things I’m grateful for today: Continue reading “Gratitude Sunday”
Happy Gratitude Sunday, everyone! I hope you’ve all had a happy week. I saw this quote the other day and think it encompasses the reason that Gratitude is so important.
“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy — because we will always want to have something else or something more.” — Brother David Steindl-Rast
Here are 3 things I’m grateful for today: Continue reading “Gratitude Sunday”
There are just 2 days left in the Happy Note a Day Challenge. Thank you to everyone who participated!! You all rocked it! Here are some notable happy notes from Happsters in the challenge. Maybe it will inspire you to write a happy note or two…
1. Idol Happy Note
Via Renae: To Princess Penny 🙂
2. Escalator Happiness
Via Jolanda: this for the guys that fixed the escalator at my job
3. Iced Coffee=Happiness
Via Eat Nap Play: A happy note and an iced coffee for my hubby! #imahappster #spreadthehappiness
Continue reading “Inspiring Happy Notes”
Have you ever wondered “what national day is it today”? Well I’ve compiled a calendar of national and notable days of the year involving happiness, appreciation, kindness, and fun. Consider writing a few down in your calendar so you remember them when the time comes!
January
National Hugging Day – January 21
Squirrel Appreciation Day – January 21
Inspire Your Heart with Art Day – January 31
February
Thank a Mailman Day – February 4
Send a Card to a Friend Day – February 7
Make a Friend Day – February 11
Random Acts of Kindness Day – February 17
There are thousands of ways we can spread happiness. Often times we can make others happy by doing something we rarely give a second thought to. Do you ever have conversations where a friend is telling you a story and all the sudden you realize you are thinking about something else entirely? Maybe you started thinking about everything on your to-do list, how hungry you are, or how you forgot to call your mom this morning. Other times you might be in a conversation and thinking about what you’re going to say next without listening to what the other person is saying at that moment.
Very few master the art of active listening, but the more you focus on giving your full attention to others, the more appreciated and respected they’ll feel. You’ll realize that your connections and communication skills become stronger when you take steps towards being a better listener.
Here are some tips on how to be an active listener:
1. Look at the person talking. It sounds pretty straight forward, but turning your eyes and body to face the person will show them that you are engaged in the conversation.
2. React accordingly. Give verbal feedback when appropriate like asking them questions relevant to what they’re saying.
3. Reduce distractions. Turn down or off the radio or TV, put down your magazine, and focus on the conversation.
4. Give positive non-verbal cues. Be aware of positive non-verbal cues you can include such as nodding your head, maintaining eye contact, or raising your eyebrows. You should also think about negative non-verbal cues you might be inadvertently sending like crossing your arms over your chest.
Do you feel like you’re an active listener? Are any of these tips helpful? Let me know in the comments!
P.S. It’s the first day of the Happy Note a Day Challenge on ChallengeLoop! It’s not too late to join! There are over 90 people in it spreading happiness already. Make some new friends and join the fun here: http://www.challengeloop.com/challenge/happy-note-a-day
What’s better than spreading happiness and brightening someone else’s day? For the month of June, I am challenging you to write a note to someone every day letting that person know how much you appreciate him or her. You can write the note to the same people or you can mix it up. The notes can be given to friends, family members, co-workers, acquaintances, strangers, etc. Post a picture or write a comment on the challenge page on ChallengeLoop every time you write a note. This is a great way for us all to connect, share ideas and spread the happiness! If you miss a few days, no big deal. The winner only has to post 8 times to be eligible to win. Sign up here: http://www.challengeloop.com/challenge/happy-note-a-day.
You can use any notes you want, but if you want some “official” happy notes, sign up to be a Happster here and I’ll mail them to you ASAP: tinyurl.com/imahappster
The best part is: A randomly selected winner will receive a $50 gift card to Amazon.com!
All you have to do is accept the challenge here: http://www.challengeloop.com/challenge/happy-note-a-day. There is also an iPhone app if you want to post on the go: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/challengeloop/id527824600?ls=1&mt=8
I really hope you’ll join me in making others happier this month! Email me at happsters@gmail.com if you have any questions!
* Full Disclosure – I work for ChallengeLoop, but would be doing this challenge even if I didn’t!
Take a moment to appreciate somebody else. Here’s a great example of one Happster appreciating another.
P.S. Don’t forget to make a “Do me a favor…and smile” note this weekend and leave it somewhere around your neighborhood! https://happsters.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/do-me-a-favor-and-smile/
happsters.com 
