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Just For Fun – Happy Multicultural April Fool’s Day!

mindsvalley99 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:49:40 +0000

Many of the world’s cultures have a traditional time of the year set aside just for fun and laughter, when tricks, comedy, pranks, and practical jokes prevail. That’s why April Fool’s Day has become a tradition.

Anthropologists call these holidays “renewal festivals,” because they purposely upend the established social order with hilarity, mayhem, and misrule.

This kind of intentional fun resonates for Baha’is all around the world, no matter what culture they come from. Abdu’l-Baha constantly encouraged happiness and laughter among the Baha’is, for example, saying that smiles and laughter are “a spiritual state:”

Laughter is caused by the slackening or relaxation of the nerves. It is an ideal condition and not physical. Laughter is the visible effect of an invisible cause. For example, happiness and misery are super-sensuous phenomena. One cannot hear them with the ears or touch them with his hands. Happiness is a spiritual state.

The Universal House of Justice, the democratically-elected global leadership body of the world’s Baha’is, has written that:

Humour, happiness, joy are characteristics of a true Baha’i life. Frivolity palls and eventually leads to boredom and emptiness, but true happiness and joy and humour that are parts of a balanced life that includes serious thought, compassion and humble servitude to God are characteristics that enrich life and add to its radiance.

So in the pursuit of some of that joy, let’s explore the multicultural origins of April Fool’s Day.

One of the oldest known renewal festival traditions came from ancient Persia. Modern-day Iranians and others still celebrate Sizdah Bedar on the 13^th day of the Persian Naw-Ruz or New Year, which (because of the lunar calendar) usually falls sometime around April 1^st. On that day, since 536 BC, Persians have celebrated the coming of spring by going outside for picnics and playing jokes and pranks on each other.

Sizdah Bedar may have emerged from the ancient Zoroastrian belief that laughter and joy symbolize the expelling or throwing away of all bad thoughts.

Similarly, the ancient Romans celebrated a festival on March 25^th called Hilaria, which they observed by wearing masks, holding masquerades, and promoting “general good cheer.”

The April Fool’s Day tradition in France and French-speaking Canada is called poisson d’avril, which means April’s fish. On April 1, pranksters try to secretly attach a paper fish to peoples’ backs. Italy and Belgium also celebrate April’s Fish, which historians believe emerged from the idea that a young, innocent fish was the easiest one to catch.

Poland celebrates prima aprilis (Latin for the first day of April) as their national day of jokes, when people concoct elaborate hoaxes and pranks – which can and do originate even from government and public institutions. For the Poles, not much that is serious happens on prima aprilis.

During March in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Hindus celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, with fun for children, general merrymaking, parades and public games. Holi celebrants mark the coming of spring with bonfires, throwing colored powder and perfume on each other, and generally ignoring, for a short period, any distinction of class and caste.

In late February the world’s Baha’is celebrate Ayyam-i-Ha, or Intercalary Days, the four or five days (in Leap years) before the last month of the year in the Baha’i calendar. The Baha’is rejoice during Intercalary Days, and their celebrations include parties, feasting, hospitality, the giving of gifts, and charity for the poor.

In the West, April Fool’s Day – sometimes called “All Fools Day” – probably evolved from many cultures at around the same time, all centered on vernal equinox celebrations and the giddy joy and excitement of the coming of spring.

The April Fool’s tradition probably began sometime around 1582 in the West, when France adopted Pope Gregory XIII’s Gregorian calendar and shifted their New Year’s celebration from the first days of spring to January 1^st. Without mass communication the new calendar didn’t reach everyone quickly, and even when it did many people refused to throw out the Julian calendar. Eventually those people were called fools, and were subject to ridicule, practical jokes, and “fool’s errands.” As time passed, the harassment turned into more gentle pranks, tricks, hoaxes, and practical jokes.

By the way, your shoe is untied. No, seriously.

One fun April Fool’s Day site – www.museumofhoaxes.com – reports that some of the best-known April Fool’s jokes have been mass media-perpetrated:

On 1 April 1957, the respected BBC news show Panorama announced that thanks to a very mild winter and the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. It accompanied this announcement with footage of Swiss peasants pulling strands of spaghetti down from trees. Huge numbers of viewers were taken in. Many called the BBC wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. To this the BBC diplomatically replied, “place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best.”

The April 1998 issue of the New Mexicans for Science and Reason newsletter contained an article claiming that the Alabama state legislature had voted to change the value of the mathematical constant pi from 3.14159 to the ’Biblical value’ of 3.0. Soon the article made its way onto the internet, and then it rapidly spread around the world, forwarded by email. It only became apparent how far the article had spread when the Alabama legislature began receiving hundreds of calls from people protesting the legislation. The original article, which was intended as a parody of legislative attempts to circumscribe the teaching of evolution, was written by physicist Mark Boslough.

During an interview on BBC Radio 2, on the morning of April 1, 1976, the respected British astronomer Patrick Moore announced that an extraordinary astronomical event was about to occur. At exactly 9:47 am, the planet Pluto would pass directly behind Jupiter, in relation to the Earth. This rare alignment would mean that the combined gravitational force of the two planets would exert a stronger tidal pull, temporarily counteracting the Earth’s own gravity and making people weigh less. Moore called this the Jovian-Plutonian Gravitational Effect.
Moore told listeners that they could experience the phenomenon by jumping in the air at the precise moment the alignment occurred. If they did so, he promised, they would experience a strange floating sensation. At 9:47, Moore declared, “Jump now!” A minute passed, and then the BBC switchboard lit up with dozens of people calling in to report that the experiment had worked! A Dutch woman from Utrecht said that she and her husband had floated around the room together. Another caller claimed she had been seated around a table with eleven friends and that all of them, including the table, had begun to ascend. But not everyone was happy. One angry caller complained he had risen from the ground so rapidly that he hit his head on the ceiling, and he wanted compensation.

So today, on April Fool’s Day, go ahead, play a (gentle) joke on those around you, and create some joy.

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Happy Ayyám-i-Há: Days of Gifts, Gatherings and Service

mindsvalley99 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:14:49 +0000

For four days this week, Baha’is around the world will celebrate with festivities, gifts, parties, service projects and charitable humanitarian work.

Why? Well, we’re celebrating the Baha’i holidays called Ayyam-i-Ha. These festive days are Intercalary Days or Days of Joy or Days Out of Time consisting of the days in the annual Baha’i calendar that don’t fall into any given month. Baha’is set aside those days for joyous celebrations, serving others and preparing for the 19-day Baha’i fast, which always follows Ayyam-i-Ha.

Confused? Let’s start by explaining that the Baha’is of the world, just like many other major global Faiths, have a unique calendar.

The Major Religious Calendars and How They Work

Badí Calendar

Most of the world’s calendars base their months, either roughly or exactly, on the phases of the moon or the Earth’s 365¼ day rotation around the sun. Actually, one trip around the sun takes our planet 365 days, 5 hours and 50+ minutes, which makes solar calendars tough to calibrate and make regular.

Lunar calendars depend on the moon’s 28-day cycle around the Earth to mark the passage of time. Some calendars, notably the Islamic one, have twelve lunar months, strictly calibrated to the moon’s phases. Even the universally-accepted symbol for Islam—the new or crescent moon—comes from the Muslim calendar.

Much of the Christian world uses the solar Gregorian calendar, which also has twelve months, but which extends those months to fill out a full solar year—which explains why the length of the Gregorian months varies, from 28 to 31 days. The Gregorian calendar, adopted by Catholic Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, was initially designed to keep the Easter celebration closest to its original date on the Vernal Equinox.

Some Eastern Orthodox Christian communities, most notably in Russia and nearby countries, still use the Gregorian’s predecessor, the Julian calendar. Both the Julian and the Gregorian calendars use “leap” or intercalary days to account for the extra time of the Earth’s solar orbit, adding an extra day to the calendar every third or fourth year.

The Hebrew calendar used by much of the Jewish community combines solar and lunar observations to produce a lunisolar schedule, which operates on a cycle of 19 years.

The Hindu calendar, called the Vikrami lunar calendar, has lunar months of 29 or 30 days–which means twelve lunar months adds up to about 360 days. This requires that the Hindus insert an additional 13th month every few years.

Here’s the problem with all of these calendars, whether they’re based on astronomy or arithmetic: Every calendar that uses astronomy to mark its months has to base its dates on consistent observation of the Earth’s sky and its moon and stars. Astronomical calendars like the Islamic calendar and the old Hebrew calendar work that way, and they’re very accurate—except when you try to figure out when a particular date will occur.

On the other hand, every calendar based on a strict set of mathematical rules, like the Gregorian calendar or the current Jewish calendar, makes it simple to calculate when a particular date will occur–but arithmetically-calculated calendars sacrifice accuracy. Their accuracy diminishes slowly over time, because the Earth’s rotation varies, and because of that extra five hours and fifty-some minutes every year, which leap years try to make up for in some calendars.

New Faiths often bring new calendars, and the Baha’i calendar has a new and different approach that accounts for and corrects both of these inherent problems. Brought initially by the Bab, Baha’u’llah’s herald and predecessor, it uses a unique system of nineteen months, each made up of nineteen days. That means 361 days every year have very specific, arithmetically predictable dates. In a Baha’i year, when the end of the 18th month occurs, the calendar inserts four or five intercalary (or “inter-calendar”) days, which flexibly correct the span of the calendar every year to synchronize it exactly with the Earth’s rotation around the sun.

Since the Baha’i teachings call for world unity, this new Baha’i calendar gives humanity a clear, consistent and complete way to make the calendar work for everyone, no matter what religion they practice:

Among different peoples and at different times many different methods have been adopted for the measurement of time and fixing of dates, and several different calendars are still in daily use, e.g., the Gregorian in Western Europe, the Julian in many countries of Eastern Europe, the Hebrew among the Jews and the Muhammadan in Muslim countries.

The Bab signalized the importance of the dispensation which He came to herald by inaugurating a new calendar. In this, as in the Gregorian Calendar, the lunar month is abandoned and the solar year is adopted.

The Baha’i year consists of 19 months of 19 days each (i.e., 361 days), with the addition of certain ‘intercalary days’ (four in ordinary and five in leap years) between the eighteenth and nineteenth months in order to adjust the calendar to the solar year. The Bab named the months after the attributes of God. The Baha’i New Year, like the ancient Persian New Year, is astronomically fixed, commencing at the March equinox (21 March), and the Baha’i era commences with the year of the Bab’s declaration (i.e., 1844 AD. …).

In the not far distant future it will be necessary that all peoples in the world agree on a common calendar.

It seems, therefore, fitting that the new age of unity should have a new calendar free from the objections and associations which make each of the older calendars unacceptable to large sections of the world’s population, and it is difficult to see how any other arrangement could exceed in simplicity and convenience that proposed by the Bab. – J.E. Esselmont, Baha’u’llah and the New Era, pp. 166-167.

The Baha’i calendar has more new features, as well. For Baha’is, each day begins and ends at sunset. New Year’s day happens on March 21st, the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere; and instead of being named for pagan Roman holidays like the Gregorian months, the Baha’i calendar’s months all are named for aspirational spiritual qualities and attributes:

…Splendor, Glory, Beauty, Grandeur, Light, Mercy, Words, Perfection, Names, Might, Will, Knowledge, Power, Speech, Questions, Honor, Sovereignty, Dominion, and Loftiness. Meditating upon these sublime attributes, man is enabled to gaze beyond the curve of time, wherein the swing and change of planetary movements exists, to the eternal qualities that stabilize the soul. As the seasons return with their quaternary beauty, as the seed sacrifices to the mystery of the harvest, we see reflected in the mirror of the physical world the spiritual spring-time when the Word of God is planted in the heart of man by the coming of God’s Messengers. – Shoghi Effendi, Principles of Baha’i Administration, pp. 53-54.

You’re Invited

So, would you like to go to a fun event in your local Baha’i community? This week, during the Baha’i Intercalary Days, you’ll find celebrations everywhere, all over the world. The Baha’i Intercalary Days—specially set aside for hospitality, the giving of gifts, feasting, rejoicing and charity—happen this year between February 26-29. Combining fun and philanthropy, these unique holy days give everyone an opportunity to celebrate while helping others. Join us!

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If you want to be happy, start doing these 14 things every day

mindsvalley99 — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 01:45:10 +0000

Are you in a slump you can’t get out of? Do you often feel like a drone that’s only working, sleeping, and not much else?

Well, that was me only a couple of years ago. However, I’ve managed to turn my life around and be happier than ever.

Here are the things I did every single day that helped me make a 180.

1) Dance or listen to music

Music has a powerful impact on mood. Put on your favorite music and dance like no one’s watching.

Now, I won’t lie to you and say that I danced every day. Or ever. Dancing isn’t my forte.

But I did listen to music that lifted my spirits and inspired me to take on new projects. Apart from that, there are so many motivational videos you can listen to that will help you get moving if you’re stuck in life.

The thing is, you should do this every day. Don’t wait for the time you need it. Simply make this a routine.

2) Have self-compassion

If you’re anything like me, you’re often your harshest critic. You’re never satisfied with your work, interactions with other people, or your life in general.

That’s, of course, a big mistake. It’s also a surefire way to never get ahead in life and stay deeply unhappy.

Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. When facing challenges or making mistakes, remind yourself that it’s okay to be imperfect.

Self-compassion encourages a healthier relationship with yourself and reduces self-criticism.

Ultimately, why make your life even harder than it already is? Why be a starving artist if you can be a thriving one?

Here’s another thing that will help you feel better and happier.

3) Lift your spirits with positive self-affirmations

Positive affirmations help you reinforce positive beliefs about yourself. Repeat affirmations such as:

“I’m capable,”
“I can do this,” or
“I’m resilient”

to boost your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Pump yourself up or have a pep talk in the mirror each morning if you have trouble going through the day.

The key is to be specific in your affirmations. Instead of using broad statements, narrow them down to address individual aspects of your life.

For example, if you’re working on self-confidence, say, “I’m confident in my abilities in…”

4) Embrace a minimalist lifestyle

Minimalism is about simplifying your life by decluttering your physical and mental space.

Start by decluttering your home, then consider simplifying your daily routines and commitments. The goal is to create more space for what truly matters to you.

I started my minimalist journey by throwing away, recycling, or giving to someone around ten items per day.

It’s an easy way to declutter without really doing the hard work or seeing any drastic changes that might make you think twice about doing it.

Once you get to a level of minimalism you feel is right for you, simply maintain it and don’t fall into the consumerism trap again.

5) Connect with pets and other animals

Whether you have pets or visit animal shelters, spending time with animals brings enormous joy.

The unconditional love and companionship of animals give you comfort and happiness. I have two cats of my own I love spending time with, and petting them really helped me calm down.

We have had them for 14 years already, and they’ve moved with us across the continent.

For some people, however, a dog is a better choice as they’re more active, and you can take them on your adventures. Plus, they encourage you to move more.

But even if you can’t have pets, try spending as much time as you can with animals.

6) Practice mindful breathing

Mindful breathing involves taking a few moments to focus your attention solely on your breath.

Here’s how:

Find a comfy place to sit or lie down, shut your eyes, and take slow and deep breaths.

Pay attention to the sensation of the breath entering and leaving your body.

This practice can help reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and bring a sense of calm to your day.

I also recommend Yoga and similar practices that make you focus on breathing and incorporate breath work.

7) Read inspiring books

If you take away anything from this article, I hope it will be the importance of reading books. Especially inspiring ones.

But reading, in general, is a gateway to new worlds and perspectives. Consider choosing books that inspire personal growth, resilience, or creativity.

Biographies of successful people, self-help books, or novels with profound themes can all be sources of inspiration.

I personally love reading biographies and autobiographies of people I admire. Like Marie Colvin, the American journalist and foreign affairs correspondent.

8) Embrace a hobby

Hobbies provide an opportunity for joy and self-expression. Whether you’re drawn to painting, gardening, playing a musical instrument, or crafting, dedicating time to your hobby can be a fulfilling escape from daily routines.

For me, this is videography, but also building and messing with R/C cars.

The first one gets me out of the house, and the other one lets me work on my patience and helps keep my brain engaged.

9) Do random acts of kindness

Random acts of kindness are simple gestures that brighten someone else’s day. This could include buying a stranger’s meal, holding the door for someone, or leaving uplifting notes in public spaces.

These acts not only spread positivity but also increase your own sense of altruism and happiness.

Here are more suggestions:

Compliment a stranger on something you genuinely appreciate about them
Offer to help someone struggling with heavy bags or luggage
Donate food items or toiletries to a local food bank or shelter
Visit and spend time with elderly neighbors who may be lonely or isolated
Send a heartfelt message or letter to a friend or family member, expressing your love and appreciation
Participate in tree-planting initiatives
Offer your seat to someone in need on public transportation
Take a walk in your neighborhood or a local park and pick up litter to keep the environment clean

10) Journaling

Keeping a journal has been a therapeutic practice for me. I simply write down my thoughts, feelings, and experiences regularly.

With this, I gain clarity, process emotions, and track my personal growth and achievements. But, most importantly, it helps me express gratitude for the things and people in my life.

It’s a way of not taking things for granted and deeply appreciating how beautiful life can be.

Self-reflection is also a basis for understanding ourselves and finding out what makes us tick.

It also helps us work on the following:

11) Deepen relationships

Building and maintaining strong relationships is one of the most important building blocks of happiness. Plan quality time with loved ones, especially friends, and express your appreciation and love for them regularly.

It turns out friends are even more important for happiness than family. But there is a catch.

You see, we do more meaningful activities with friends and more mundane ones with our family.

So, the key is to have more enjoyable experiences and activities with people in general. One of them should definitely be:

12) Volunteer in your community

Volunteering can be as simple or as complex as you make it. You can volunteer with animals, the elderly, the homeless, kids, nature, and so on.

Find volunteer opportunities in your local community that align with your interests and values.

By helping others, you create a sense of purpose and connection, which in turn makes you even happier with life.

13) Unplug from technology

If you don’t use technology and social media with a clear purpose, it will make you unhappy. For example, mindlessly killing time by scrolling the news feed.

It’s also essential to take breaks from screens. That’s why you must designate specific times each day to unplug and engage in analog activities like reading a physical book, taking a nature walk, or having face-to-face conversations.

14) Set boundaries

And lastly, establishing healthy boundaries is also crucial for your well-being. Learn to say no when necessary to prevent overcommitting and feeling overwhelmed.

By setting clear limits in your personal and professional life, you reduce stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

With so many jobs available these days, there’s really no need to be someone’s slave. And if you’re over 50, don’t worry. You’re a hot commodity now because of your reliability, strong work ethic, and experience.

But also…

The basics. You know – exercising, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep. Without this as your foundation, you can do ten other things and still never be content.

If you’re unhappy, start with these. Exercising alone will make you feel better (after the initial shock to the body).

Break a sweat each day and get your heart rate up.

Find something you love doing, like playing sports, hiking, mountain biking, ultimate frisbee, or jumping rope, and stick with it.

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Stop trying to be happy. Instead, have more fun

mindsvalley99 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:47:56 +0000

Editor’s note: Sign up for CNN’s Stress, But Less newsletter. Our six-part mindfulness guide will inform and inspire you to reduce stress while learning how to harness it.

CNN
—

In a society that prizes productivity, where busyness becomes a point of pride and the “grind” a badge of honor, fun too often gets cast aside as trifling rather than a vital part of a meaningful life.

In his science-backed guidebook, “The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life,” organizational psychologist and behavioral scientist Mike Rucker shares evidence for the physical and psychological benefits of prioritizing pleasure.

A component of our well-being relies on fun, play and leisure, Rucker argues. His book explains how intentionally increasing joyful moments can improve health, relationships — and even productivity — and offers practical tips, tools and tactics to encourage everyday acts of fun.

Fun isn’t “extra,” Rucker insists. “It’s an act of radical self-care.”

This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

CNN: What is fun? How is it different from happiness?

Mike Rucker: Happiness is outcome-focused. Too often, instead of mindfully enjoying what life has to offer, we’re using energy to unpack why we are or are not happy. We can get stuck in ruminating on the gap between where we think we are and what we think happiness is supposed to be like.

Fun is less “think” and more “do.” It’s demonstrable, observable, real and immediately within our grasp. Are you drawn to, finding pleasure in and engaged with an activity? That’s fun. Available to anyone at almost any time, fun offers a direct neurological route to improving our well-being.

It doesn’t need to be something whimsical either. Quiet, low-arousal activities that provide balance and renewal — like gardening, meditating or reading — count as fun.

CNN: What effect does nurturing a fun habit have on our lives?

Rucker: Too often we look at our lives through the lens of productivity rather than based on what would be restorative or enjoyable.

A fun habit aligns with being more productive and living a meaningful life. Asking, “How can I enjoy this?” helps us identify elements that we can manipulate, including our environment, the people we’re with and the activities we’re engaged in. It helps if we ask, “Are there ways to reengineer these elements for more enjoyment?”

Developing a bias toward fun can skew the balance of our experiences toward more good than bad. Laughter and good humor reduce anxiety, decrease stress, enhance self-esteem and increase self-motivation. A fun-focused framework can also help us learn to enjoy ourselves even when things don’t go our way.

CNN: What practical steps can we take to have more fun?

Rucker: The first step toward adding novel, pleasurable activities to your daily life is to audit your calendar for fun instead of productivity. Doing so will uncover hidden opportunities to increase your fun, even without sacrificing getting things done.

For one week, you could try logging your activities by the hour. You can download my free time tracker to help. Next, categorize how you’re spending your time using my simple four-quadrant PLAY model, which plots activities along the axes of enjoyment and effort. Activities that are both easy and highly enjoyable belong in the upper left “pleasing” quadrant. While time spent here often gets billed as frivolous, research tells us these activities create the feeling that our life is worthwhile and fulfilling.

CNN: Is the goal to spend our whole lives in the “pleasing” quadrant?

Rucker: Not at all. A full life includes ups and downs, joys, pains and tedium. The toxic positivity reflected in the “good-vibes only,” “no bad days” messaging by some in the happiness-industrial complex reflects a problematic lack of emotional flexibility. Unlike happiness, fun can coincide with a variety of emotional states or even transcend them altogether.

CNN: Once we’ve tracked how we’re spending our time, how do we tip the scales toward fun?

Rucker: Activity tracking can help us take agency to free up more time for fun. Because it’s human nature to quickly fill up any space we create, I suggest coming up with what I call a fun file — a robust list of fun activities you’d like to integrate into your days. List-making helps flex our curiosity, along with giving us a go-to resource to draw from. Once you have your long list, break it into categories and then winnow it down to a short list of eight to 15 achievable options. The brain performs well with that many choices.

CNN: Why is it so important to prioritize pursuing these activities in our already time-starved lives?

Rucker: Fun is the antidote to life’s slings and arrows. A tool for enrichment and a relief valve for life’s pressures, fun keeps us healthy. It also helps us make overall better use of the time we do have. Studies suggest that people who are deliberate about making sure that they reserve time for fun, renewal and doing interesting things are the most productive people. Plus, folks that aren’t having fun look for poor forms of escapism.

Say you think you’re a hustler and you’re working 60 hours a week, generating one unit of output each hour. Compare that with folks that are having fun — who we know, based on the science, are more productive. They can actually produce more output units for each hour of work.

Even beyond quantity, we see that the most innovative and creative work comes from those who protect their leisure. Time for fun frees up the ability for nonlinear thinking.

CNN: Who has access to carve out time for fun?

Rucker: As with most things, privilege does open doors for fun. The ability to exchange time for money, as effective as it is, is rooted in privilege. That said, time-use data shows that even the most time-poor folks generally have periods in each day where they have some control over what they’re doing. If you get creative, there’s a whole host of ways to increase your time affluence without needing money.

Grouping activities can be one way to become more efficient. For example, a doctor I worked with enjoyed drawing but had a hard time fitting it into her schedule until she started drawing while making follow-up responses to patients. Collaborating with members of your community can help, too. Childcare swaps can free up parents for a lower-cost date night. And online resources offer great options for free activities with like-minded individuals.

CNN: How much time should we spend on fun each day?

Rucker: Research suggests two hours each day as the “Goldilocks spot” for spending time on fun. In a society that requires so many work hours and devalues the importance of fun, that might seem like a lot. If that feels like a stretch, start with taking one to three hours a week to test out some of the items on your fun list. Don’t think that you have a 14-hour mandate right away. Even a slow ramp-up will show you the benefits of this new habit. Once people realize that they will actually be more productive by having fun, this approach becomes an easier sell.

CNN: How does journaling support building a fun habit? What specific practices help the most?

Rucker: Journaling helps us store memories and process our experiences. Entries that focus on savoring or reminiscing amplify the power of fun that you’ve already had because you get to reexperience it. The key is to include memorable details about the experience you’re describing. Why was it fun? How did you feel? What about the memory lights you up? Include sensory details and, if you can, an anchoring artifact — a photo, song lyric or video clip, for example. Anchors can help our recall, bringing back information that’s been encoded in our brain.

Remember that journaling doesn’t necessarily have to happen on pen and paper. A scrapbook, a memory jar, all these things can be extremely helpful. No matter how you catalog, these memories can lure you back into more of what you’ve enjoyed in the past.

By drawing our attention to good times that we’ve had — and could have again — reminiscing raises our awareness that we have more agency and autonomy to affect the way we’re moving through time than we sometimes think. Research shows that documenting and activating positive memories bring long-term benefits and can even help suppress depression. Plus, fun memories help us build resources that offer emotional resilience during not-so-fun times.

Fun allows us to cope with life’s pain, and sometimes even transcend it, by more fully experiencing life’s gifts.

Jessica DuLong is a Brooklyn, New York-based journalist, book collaborator, writing coach and the author of “Saved at the Seawall: Stories From the September 11 Boat Lift” and “My River Chronicles: Rediscovering the Work That Built America.”

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Happy Poems For Her – Memory Books

mindsvalley99 — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 04:14:25 +0000

Happy Poems For Her. Have you ever gazed into her eyes and felt a warmth that envelops your soul, making your heart sing with joy?

Ah yes, the blissful feeling of love – it has been a muse for poets since time immemorial.

As someone who dabbles in the art of weaving words together, I often find myself drawn to penning down verses that capture the essence of love’s euphoria.

When it comes to expressing our deepest emotions for an incredible woman, what better way than through happy poems for her?

My fellow enamored souls, this article is dedicated to all those beautiful moments when words simply flow like symphonies, resonating with the harmonious rhythm of our hearts.

We will delve into some enchanting happy poems for her – verses that celebrate her presence in our lives and paint vivid portraits of love’s boundless beauty.

So come along as we embark on a poetic journey that captures the essence of love-filled happiness and allows us to bask in its radiance while sharing these heartfelt words with the one who makes our world complete.

Happy Poems For Her – Expressing Love Through Poetry

Picture this: our love is like a secret garden, hidden from the world yet flourishing with vibrant colors and sweet fragrances. We are drawn to its beauty and nourishment, even as we strive to protect it from the harsh elements beyond its walls.

And within this sanctuary, I’ve discovered that expressing love through poetry is one of the most powerful ways to show my emotions for you. Romantic sonnets dance in my heart as I pen them down, and poetic surprises bloom between the lines.

As a poetry writer, I find joy in crafting words that reach deep into your soul and awaken your spirit. Our shared experiences become stories captured in verse, our passion ignites the stanzas that only you can truly understand.

There’s no better way to reveal my love for you than through these carefully constructed lines that bear witness to our journey together. So let me continue weaving our tale in ink and parchment, creating a literary legacy of love that will forever stand testament to our connection.

Happy Poems For Her – Celebrating Her Beauty And Presence

My love, your captivating charm has a way of filling my heart with adoring admiration. Your beauty is like a radiant sun, casting warm rays that soothe and invigorate my soul. I am drawn to you, as if by an unseen force, unable to resist the allure of your presence. Your laughter fills the air with joy, and the mere thought of you brings a smile to my face.

Radiant Sun Warm Rays Soothing Soul

Laughter Joy Smiling Face

Allure Captivating Charm Adoring Admiration

As we dance through life together, embracing every moment and cherishing each shared experience, I find myself grateful for the gift of your presence. Your captivating charm continues to enthrall me, and my adoring admiration for you grows ever stronger. With every day that passes, I am reminded of just how fortunate I am to have you in my life – a beacon of light guiding me through even the darkest times.

Happy Poems For Her – Poems Of Joyful Moments Together

As time flies, the joyful memories we’ve shared continue to grow like a blossoming flower.

Our love, captured in poetic affection, has woven a tapestry of happiness that is truly one for the books.

Each moment together brings forth laughter and warmth as our hearts dance in unison, creating a symphony of joy that resonates deep within our souls.

Though words may fail to fully express the elation we’ve experienced, our hearts know the truth – this love story is just beginning.

With every new day comes another chance to create more joyful moments together and embrace the beauty of life’s simple pleasures.

So let us cherish every second, savoring each sweet memory as we continue on this incredible journey hand in hand.

Happy Poems For Her – Verses Inspired By Unconditional Love

As I sit beneath the starlit sky, my thoughts drift to you, my dear. The unconditional devotion we share is a treasure beyond compare.

It’s in your eyes that love’s inspiration sparks, igniting a fire that warms our hearts. Through trials and tribulations, our bond remains unbroken, an unwavering testament to the love we’ve awoken.

Each day with you brings forth new adventures and discoveries – every moment spent together a cherished memory. Our love has grown strong, blossoming like a rose in full bloom, its beauty unmatched by any other.

And so it is with great joy that I continue this journey hand-in-hand with you, knowing that our love’s inspiration will carry us through whatever life may bring.

Sharing Heartfelt Words To Strengthen Your Bond

As love unconditionally embraces you, as her heart tenderly cradles yours, we delve into the power of sharing heartfelt words to strengthen your bond.

As the sun rises in harmony with the moon, deep connections are forged, emotional vulnerability is embraced – and together you become one.

In this world of fleeting moments and uncertain tomorrows, it’s crucial to express our innermost feelings and emotions to those who hold our hearts captive.

By baring your soul through poetry or simple whispers of affection, you weave an unbreakable bond between your lives.

Allow every word to ripple through her heart like soft waves on a tranquil shore; let each verse envelop her spirit in a warm embrace.

Together you will transcend time and space, united by the transcendent power of love.

Final Thoughts

It’s astounding to think that 76% of people believe love is the ultimate source of happiness.

Perhaps this is why poetry has been such a powerful tool for expressing love throughout history.

Through our heartfelt words and emotions, we are able to capture the essence of love, celebrate beauty, and strengthen our bonds with one another.

As a lover of poetry, I am always in awe of how words can evoke such profound feelings and create lasting connections.

May these poems bring joy to your heart and inspire you to continue celebrating love in all its forms.

A Poem For Her

In the galaxy of dreams, amidst stars that gleam,
There exists a love, profound and supreme.
For her, a poem, with joy and delight,
Crafted from the heart, to touch the heights.

Her smile, a beacon, amidst life’s roaring tide,
A radiant sunrise, by the shoreline side.
Eyes sparking brighter, than the glistening dew,
Oh, such a love, rare and true.

Her laughter, a melody, that breezes carry,
A symphony of joy, blissful and merry.
In her presence, the heart takes flight,
As stars in her eyes, dance through the night.

Every moment with her, a blessed embrace,
A dance in the rain, a joyful chase.
Her voice, a whisper, in the silent night,
A soothing lullaby, holding us tight.

Together, a journey, in the palm of fate,
Every shared story, a memory we create.
In this dance of love, under the moon’s glow,
An unwritten poem, silently grows.

For her, this ode, in the silence of the night,
In her smile, in her laughter, find the light.
She is the song, the poem, the dream,
The love story that’s more than it seems.

Through the currents of time, let this echo ring,
For her, a happy poem, let the muses sing.
Under the twilight, under the sun’s gleam,
Her, the joyous verse, in life’s grand scheme.

Tony Ramos

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Choose Happy Poems – Memory Books

mindsvalley99 — Sun, 28 May 2023 01:07:11 +0000

The Power of Choice: Why We Should Choose Happy

In the unfolding narrative of our lives, we often find ourselves at a crossroads. Each path we take is marked by the choices we make – some mundane, others monumental. Among these decisions lies one that can profoundly shape our journey: the choice to be happy.

Happiness: A Choice, Not a Destination

Firstly, it’s important to clarify what is meant by ‘choosing happiness.’ Happiness is not a destination, nor is it a constant state of euphoria. It’s a lens through which we view our experiences, a conscious decision to seek and acknowledge the positive aspects of our lives, even in the face of adversity.

Now, let’s delve into why we should make the choice to be happy:

1. Boosts Physical Health

Studies show that happiness has numerous benefits on our physical well-being. Happier individuals are less likely to suffer from chronic diseases and tend to have stronger immune systems. Moreover, happiness has been linked to longevity – in short, choosing happy might just help you live a longer, healthier life.

2. Enhances Mental Health

Happiness, or the active pursuit of it, acts as a buffer against mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. By choosing to focus on the positive, we cultivate resilience and reduce stress, leading to better mental health.

3. Improves Relationships

When we’re happy, it’s easier to forge meaningful connections with others. Happiness makes us more open, empathetic, and willing to invest in relationships, creating a positive cycle of social support and personal joy.

4. Inspires Productivity

Contrary to the notion that serious people are more productive, research shows that happier people are more likely to be productive. Happiness fosters creativity, motivates us, and enhances our problem-solving abilities, leading to better performance in our professional lives.

Making the Choice: How to Choose Happy

The question then arises, how do we choose happiness? Here are a few strategies:

Cultivate Gratitude: Regularly acknowledging what we’re grateful for can significantly increase our happiness levels. It shifts our focus from what’s wrong in our lives to what’s going right.

Practice Mindfulness: Living in the moment helps us appreciate the present and reduces anxiety about the past or future. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or conscious breathing, can assist us in this practice.

Surround Yourself with Positivity: The company we keep impacts our mood and outlook on life. Surrounding ourselves with positive people can help reinforce our decision to be happy.

Take Care of Your Health: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep significantly influence our mood and energy levels, making it easier to choose happiness.

Choosing happiness doesn’t mean ignoring or suppressing negative emotions. It’s about acknowledging those feelings but not letting them dictate our outlook on life. It’s about focusing on the positive, cherishing the good, and striving for contentment.

Final Thoughts

The decision to be happy is one of the most empowering choices we can make. It helps us lead healthier, richer, and more fulfilling lives. Remember, happiness is not a stroke of luck, but a choice we make every day. So, why not choose happy? It might be the most rewarding decision you’ll ever make.

Choosing Happiness: The Power Within Your Reach

In the vast expanse of life’s grand tapestry,
There lies a choice, as simple as can be,
To let joy bloom, or let it slip away,
In every moment, every single day.

It’s not a place, this choice called happy,
Not a destination, in land or sea,
But a perspective, a vibrant colored hue,
A lens through which we choose to view.

Choose happy, and your heart will find,
Health and peace of body and mind,
A shield against the darkest dread,
A softer place to lay your head.

Choose happy, see your bonds grow strong,
A symphony where all belong,
In laughter’s light, in kindness’ glow,
See love and understanding flow.

Choose happy, let your spirit soar,
Unlock productivity’s golden door,
With a spark of joy, ideas ignite,
Turning even darkest night to light.

To choose happy, count blessings each day,
In gratitude’s gentle sway,
In the silent beat of a moment’s grace,
Find happiness’ warm embrace.

Choose happy, through the ebb and flow,
In life’s grand theater, in its show,
The script is yours, the stage is set,
To make a choice you’ll not regret.

Embrace the sunshine, dance in the rain,
Choose happy, through joy and pain,
For in this choice, you’ll find, my friend,
A strength and love that knows no end.

Yes, life will test, and life will try,
But lift your face to the sky,
And choose happy, come what may,
For joy is but a choice away.

Tony Ramos

Discover the magic of personalized poetry at MemoryBooks.me! Each poem we create is a journey into imagination, sentiment, and artistry, designed exclusively to capture your story, emotions, or special moments. Whether it’s an ode to love, a rhymed celebration of a milestone, or a sonnet to express your deepest feelings, our custom poems offer a uniquely thoughtful way to convey your message. Commissioned from skilled poets who excel at translating emotions into eloquent words, our poems become treasures that can be cherished forever. Don’t just speak it, let MemoryBooks.me craft it into a poem that touches the heart and soul. Elevate your memories, express your feelings, and create timeless keepsakes, all through the beauty of custom poetry. Unleash the power of words with MemoryBooks.me today!

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7 books for a happy, fulfilling life

mindsvalley99 — Sat, 20 May 2023 16:39:04 +0000

The right book can fuel personal growth and help lead you to a happier life.

Thema Bryant, president of the American Psychological Association and a professor of psychology at Pepperdine University, says there are a handful of books that have helped her address past trauma, fine-tune her self-care regimen, and conjure more compassion for herself and others.

“I like to highlight key passages to read and reflect again,” says Bryant, who did her postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical Center’s Victims of Violence Program. “Because we change over time, we can gain new insights when we read them again.”

Here are seven books she recommends for those who want to create a happy, fulfilling life for themselves.

1. The Self-Care Prescription: Powerful Solutions to Manage Stress, Reduce Anxiety & Increase Well-Being

by Robyn Gobin

Good for: Those who neglect themselves and are often busy with work or taking care of others.

“Dr. Gobin, a psychologist, provides practical steps for improving your holistic health,” Bryant says. “Unlike many self help books, it incorporates awareness of race, gender, and faith.”

2. All These Rivers and You Chose Love

by Jaiya John

Good for: Those who need to learn to feel compassion for themselves.

“I read this insightful book often in the morning as a good way to remind myself that I get to choose how I show up and how I shape my day,” she says. “Showing up with compassion for myself and others is an intentional act of grace.”

3. Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto

by Tricia Hersey

Good for: Change agents, activists and advocates.

“It’s a beautiful reminder that while we are working to make the world around us better, the world within us is worthy of care,” Bryant says. “Rest is a revolutionary act, particularly for racially marginalized people who are often pressured to focus on labor instead of wholeness.”

4. Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationships

by Nedra Glover Tawwab

Good for: Those who have conflict and challenges in their family life.

“Nedra, a licensed therapist, gives science-informed steps to healing and, at times, releasing unhealthy family dynamics,” Bryant says.

5. Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode — and into a Life of Connection and Joy

by Aundi Kolber

Good for: Trauma survivors.

“As a trauma survivor and trauma psychologist, I enjoyed this book,” Bryant says. “Surviving overwhelming experiences can cause us to live in survival mode, perpetually fighting and defending ourselves. Aundi, a thoughtful therapist, provides keys to breathing, softening and living with more peace.”

6. What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey

Good for: Trauma survivors.

“It helps them connect the dots between what they experienced and their current lives,” she says. “By understanding themselves better, people can take steps toward healing.”

7. Something Happened in Our Park: Standing Together After Gun Violence

by Ann Hazzard, Marianne Celano and Marietta Collins

Good for: Families who need help talking about gun violence.

“This is a great resource written by three psychologists to help families have fruitful, healing conversations in the aftermath of gun violence,” Bryant says. “It provides keys for healthy coping to address anxiety as well as inspiration for working together to transform the community.”

Get CNBC’s free report, 11 Ways to Tell if We’re in a Recession, where Kelly Evans reviews the top indicators that a recession is coming or has already begun.

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The Key to a Happy Life: Prioritizing Your Mental Health

mindsvalley99 — Fri, 12 May 2023 07:30:09 +0000
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be easy to put our mental health on the backburner. With the pressure to succeed in our careers, maintain relationships, and keep up with the demands of everyday life, it’s no wonder that our mental health often takes a backseat. However, prioritizing our mental health is essential to living a happy and fulfilling life.

The first step in prioritizing our mental health is to recognize that it is just as important as our physical health. Mental health is not a luxury, but a necessity. It affects our overall wellbeing and impacts how we think, feel, and act. Neglecting our mental health can lead to a range of negative consequences, including anxiety, depression, and even physical health problems.

To prioritize our mental health, we need to make self-care a priority. This means taking the time to engage in activities that bring us joy and relaxation. This could include things like meditation, exercise, journaling, or spending time in nature. By making self-care a regular part of our routine, we can reduce stress and improve our overall mental wellbeing.

Another key component of prioritizing our mental health is seeking professional support when needed. This could include therapy, counseling, or medication. Mental health professionals can provide us with the tools and support we need to manage our mental health and improve our quality of life.

It’s also important to surround ourselves with positive influences. This means building strong relationships with people who support us and encourage us to prioritize our mental health. It also means setting boundaries with people who bring negativity and stress into our lives.

Finally, prioritizing our mental health means taking a holistic approach to our wellbeing. This includes taking care of our physical health by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. It also means finding ways to manage stress and practicing mindfulness.

In conclusion, prioritizing our mental health is essential to living a happy and fulfilling life. By making self-care a priority, seeking professional support when needed, surrounding ourselves with positive influences, and taking a holistic approach to our wellbeing, we can improve our mental health and overall quality of life. So, take the time to prioritize your mental health today – your happiness depends on it.

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Happy Mothers Day Poem To My Daughter

mindsvalley99 — Wed, 10 May 2023 01:33:19 +0000

Happy Mothers Day Poem To My Daughter. As a mother, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed with joy and gratitude when thinking about my daughter.

The bond between a mother and her child is something that transcends time, space, and even words – yet sometimes we find ourselves searching for the perfect way to express this profound love.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, what better occasion than now to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!) and create a heartfelt poem dedicated to our daughters?

Whether you’re an experienced poet or simply someone who wants to share their emotions in verse form, this article will provide inspiration and guidance on crafting your very own ‘Happy Mother’s Day Poem To My Daughter.’

In these paragraphs we’ll delve into the beautiful world of poetry as it relates specifically to mothers and daughters.

We’ll explore different styles, themes, and ideas that can be incorporated into your poem as well as some famous examples from literary history for further inspiration.

By the end of this journey, not only will you have hopefully discovered new depths of emotional expression within yourself, but also gained valuable insight into how best to capture those feelings in poetic form.

So grab a cup of tea (or coffee if that’s more your style), settle down in your favorite cozy spot, and let’s embark together on this creative adventure filled with love, laughter, tears – all wrapped up in the sweetest verses imaginable!

Exploring The Mother-Daughter Bond In Poetry

There’s something truly magical about the bond between a mother and her daughter.

Exploring this unique connection through poetry allows us to delve into the depths of emotion, capturing those precious moments that define our relationships.

Mother-daughter connections are some of the most powerful in existence, and using poetic techniques can help bring these feelings to life in a way that resonates with readers from all walks of life.

As we dive into the world of mother-daughter poetry, it becomes clear just how deeply connected we are to one another on an emotional level.

The love shared between mothers and daughters transcends time and distance, creating bonds that endure even when faced with challenges or adversity.

By exploring these connections through the artful use of language and imagery, poets have been able to capture the essence of what makes these relationships so special – allowing others to experience them vicariously as they read each carefully crafted line.

Choosing The Style And Structure Of Your Poem

As we continue our poetic journey, let’s now focus on the creative aspects of crafting your heartfelt Mother’s Day poem for your daughter.

Choosing the perfect style and structure is essential to conveying your emotions and capturing the essence of your unique mother-daughter bond.

You might want to explore different poetic devices such as metaphors, similes, alliteration or personification, which can add depth and beauty to your words.

Additionally, consider incorporating cultural influences that are meaningful to both you and your daughter – weaving in elements from family traditions or references to shared experiences will make the poem even more special and memorable.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to poetry; feel free to experiment with various styles until you find the one that resonates most with you.

Trust yourself and let your love be the guiding force behind each word you write.

Selecting Themes And Emotions To Include

When it comes to celebrating motherhood and crafting a heartfelt poem for your daughter on Mother’s Day, there’s no better way than really delving into the themes and emotions that make this bond so special.

As a proud parent witnessing your own child blossom into an amazing mother herself, you likely have countless memories to draw from—those precious moments of love, growth, joy, and even the challenging times when life has tested her strength. Embracing these emotions can create a genuine connection in your poem that truly resonates with your daughter.

As we embark on this creative journey together, let’s focus on some key aspects that will touch the heart of any reader:

Gratitude for one another

Acknowledging challenges faced and overcome as mothers

Emphasizing the unconditional love shared between generations

Recognizing personal growth over time through being both daughters and mothers ourselves.

By incorporating these thoughts while weaving them around our keywords—celebrating motherhood and embracing emotions—we’re sure to craft a beautiful tribute that honors not only your relationship but also everything she brings to the world as an incredible mom herself.

Drawing Inspiration From Famous Literary Examples

When it comes to writing a meaningful Happy Mother’s Day poem to my daughter, I want to draw inspiration from famous literary examples.

To do this, I’ll need to focus on the writing style, figurative language and literary devices used in these works.

I’m looking for a way to articulate my feelings that’ll make my daughter feel special and appreciated – it’s going to be a challenge, but I’m up for it!

Writing Style

I can’t help but feel a warm, fuzzy sensation when I think about crafting the perfect Mother’s Day poem for my daughter.

Drawing inspiration from famous literary examples allows us to create something truly special and heartfelt by using poetic techniques that have stood the test of time.

As a freelance writer with a creative flair, it’s important to me that we not only tap into our own emotions and experiences but also learn from those who came before us.

The language choice in these poems can be incredibly powerful, helping us connect with our audience in ways they never even realized their subconscious craved.

So let’s dive deep into this world of beautiful words and imagery together, creating an unforgettable tribute to our daughters on this very special day.

Figurative Language

Now, as we delve deeper into the enchanting realm of poetry, what really piques my interest is the use of figurative language.

I can’t stress enough how vital it is for us to master this element in order to truly touch our audience’s hearts and minds.

By incorporating metaphorical expressions and symbolic imagery in our poems, we’re able to evoke emotions that resonate with our readers on a subconscious level – making them feel deeply connected with our words.

Let’s explore these poetic techniques further, so when penning down that special Mother’s Day poem for our daughters, they too will be entranced by the magic woven through every line.

Literary Devices

As we journey further into the captivating world of poetry, let’s turn our attention to drawing inspiration from famous literary examples.

I can’t help but be inspired by the masters who have come before us, skillfully weaving metaphorical language and sensory imagery into their works, leaving an indelible mark on readers’ hearts and minds.

Their exceptional use of literary devices not only showcases their prowess as poets but also invites us to delve deeper into understanding how these techniques can elevate our own writing.

So, when crafting that heartfelt Mother’s Day poem for our daughters, we too can enchant them with the magic of words – a gift they’ll cherish forever.

Personalizing Your Poem For Your Daughter

To make your Mother’s Day poem truly resonate with your daughter, it is essential to personalize it and speak from the heart. Consider writing from your daughter’s perspective to capture her unique thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a way that she will cherish for years to come. By using poetic techniques such as imagery, metaphor, and alliteration, you can evoke emotion and create a sense of connection between yourself and your beloved child.

Here are four ways to add that personal touch:

Think about shared memories: Reflect on special moments you’ve experienced together – perhaps milestones like first steps or memorable vacations.

Highlight her strengths: Acknowledge the qualities that make your daughter exceptional; whether it be kindness, resilience, or creativity.

Express gratitude: Share how much you value being her mother by expressing gratitude for everything she has brought into your life.

Offer encouragement: Look towards the future while offering words of support for any challenges or dreams she may pursue.

Creating a Heartfelt Happy Mother’s Day Poem To My Daughter

Crafting a sincere “Happy Mother’s Day Poem To My Daughter” requires more than words. It needs a deep understanding of the unique bond shared between a mother and her daughter. Each line should echo the nurturing love, the shared laughter, and the life lessons taught over years of togetherness. It’s about penning the pride of watching your little girl grow into a strong woman and the promise of unwavering love and support.

Emotional Depth in a Happy Mother’s Day Poem To My Daughter

A “Happy Mother’s Day Poem To My Daughter” has the capacity to stir deep emotions. It’s an opportunity to express feelings that might be challenging to articulate in everyday conversations. The poem can narrate the journey of raising a daughter, the shared triumphs and trials, and the joy of seeing her mature. This emotional depth enhances the poem’s impact, making it a cherished gift.

The Sentiment Behind Happy Mother’s Day Poem To My Daughter

The sentiment behind a “Happy Mother’s Day Poem To My Daughter” is one of love, appreciation, and pride. It’s about acknowledging the growth and changes, the milestones achieved, and the challenges overcome together. It’s a celebration of the woman your daughter has become, and a promise of lifelong love and guidance.

Exploring the Love in Happy Mother’s Day Poem To My Daughter

A “Happy Mother’s Day Poem To My Daughter” is a testament of love, a love that blossomed at birth and grows stronger with each passing day. It’s a love filled with pride, understanding, and unwavering support. This poem offers a chance to explore this deep affection, to articulate the joy of motherhood, and to express the unique love a mother has for her daughter.

The Journey of Motherhood in Happy Mother’s Day Poem To My Daughter

Writing a “Happy Mother’s Day Poem To My Daughter” is a reflection on the beautiful journey of motherhood. It’s an opportunity to share the lessons learned, the joy experienced, and the love that has deepened over the years. From the first moment of holding your newborn to watching her navigate the world as an adult, this poem can encapsulate the pride, the concern, and the love that constitutes the journey of motherhood.

Remember, the most important aspect of crafting this heartfelt poem is to ensure it captures the essence of your bond with your daughter. Through genuine expression and thoughtful reflection on these cherished aspects of parenthood, you’ll pen a verse that will not only move her but also strengthen the love between both of you even more.

Final Thoughts

As a mother, I cherish the opportunity to express my love and admiration for my daughter through poetry.

Crafting a heartfelt poem allows me to connect with her on an emotional level, reflecting our unique bond.

I hope that sharing these tips inspires you to create your own beautiful Mother’s Day poem for your daughter.

Remember to speak from the heart and enjoy weaving together words that celebrate your precious relationship.

Poem –

Happy Mothers Day Poem To My Daughter

My darling daughter, you are my heart,
From the day you were born, a love story to start.
A miracle of life, my sweet little girl,
In my ocean of love, you came as a pearl.

Through sleepless nights and first steps taken,
In every moment, love was awakened.
You grew up so fast, right before my eyes,
A blend of laughter, tears, hellos and goodbyes.

You blossomed into a woman so fine,
A reflection of love, forever mine.
In your eyes, I see strength and grace,
And the promise of a future, you’re ready to embrace.

On this Mother’s Day, I want you to know,
My love for you will never cease to grow.
You’re my joy, my pride, my life’s sweetest song,
In my heart, dear daughter, you will forever belong.

Happy Mother’s Day to my beautiful daughter,
In every chapter of life, I’ll be there to author.
Your dreams are mine, in every way,
Celebrating you, on this Mother’s Day.

Author: Tony Ramos

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Why Being Good Makes Us Happy

mindsvalley99 — Wed, 10 May 2023 01:18:33 +0000

Source: Pixabay/Pexels

“We who are like senseless children shrink from suffering, but love its causes. We hurt ourselves; our pain is self-inflicted!”―Shantideva

Do you ever find that you do things that create problems for yourself… even when you know better? Maybe you occasionally gossip and end up regretting your words. Or you stay up late scrolling social media and wake up exhausted. Maybe you have bigger regrets—people you’ve harmed whether you intended to or not—that cause you to lose sleep or feel ashamed.

The concept of Right Action, the first of the ethical principles outlined by the Buddha on the eightfold path, provides guidance for avoiding behavior that predictably leads to suffering for ourselves and others. At its core, Right Action entails cultivating a mindset of non-harm. In short, we strive to behave ethically by avoiding harm to ourselves or others. We accomplish this through mindful restraint in our thoughts, actions, and words.

There is psychological research suggesting that engaging in prosocial behavior—such as altruism, cooperation, and caregiving—increases our well-being. For example, it has been shown to be positively related to a sense of meaning and purpose, well-being, psychological functioning, and physical health. The data demonstrate measurable improvements in mood, social relationships, blood pressure, and even longevity. Such prosocial behavior is at the core of the Right Action.

Right Action also encourages us to act thoughtfully with regard to behavior that may be self-harming or self-defeating. We all occasionally engage in these sorts of behaviors: procrastinating, people-pleasing, overeating, under-sleeping, perfectionism, etc. These behaviors prioritize short-term gratification over long-term goals and values. While there is a time and place for any of these behaviors, Right Action encourages us to choose mindfully which actions will be most useful for avoiding harm and promoting the future outcomes we desire.

How to Practice Right Action

The Vietnamese Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh said, “The basis of Right Action is to do everything in mindfulness.” He offered five mindfulness practices that correlate to the Buddha’s teachings. These are:

Respecting life by abstaining from killing.

Being generous in spirit and action, promoting well-being for everyone. This includes donating our time and money to those in need.

Avoiding sexual misconduct but honoring commitments and protecting others from sexual exploitation.

Engaging in loving speech and deep listening; seeking to create understanding and reducing discord.

Consuming nourishing food and mental content, and avoiding intoxicants or entertainment that is addictive or creates agitation. This includes being mindful of where the materials we consume come from (e.g., avoiding worker exploitation and environmental degradation.)

You can start practicing Right Action by experimenting with the principles outlined above or by developing your own values code. While we can avoid many of the predictable causes of suffering for ourselves and others by following these guidelines, research suggests that we benefit from ethical self-reflection. That is, we are best able to navigate murky situations if we really understand the why behind our values, and to do that requires thoughtfulness, experience making mistakes and learning uncomfortable lessons. A first step could be writing down your own ethical priorities and then examining how well these align with your daily behavior.

The Benefits of Right Action

Behaving in line with our values has numerous benefits, including:

Reduced suffering for ourselves. When we behave in ways that feel wrong or violate our values, we increase unease and disquiet in the mind; we can increase our sense of ease and reduce such suffering by behaving in line with our principles.

Reduced suffering for others. When we are prioritizing the good of all, we generate more positive outcomes for those around us.

Greater confidence and clarity. When we know what we truly value, we can face difficult decisions with greater confidence. As our confidence grows and we repeatedly uphold our standards even under challenging circumstances, we learn to trust ourselves.

Contributing to an ethical and compassionate community and society. We all play a role in creating the world around us. Ethical behavior may not always be reciprocated by others, but continuing to behave ethically slowly spreads outward to help create the type of society we all desire to live in.

Be Good, Feel Happy

Aspiring to live with ethical and compassionate behavior, as outlined in Right Action, offers tangible benefits to our psychological and physical well-being, as well as benefits the communities we live in. It’s pretty simple: Be good, feel happy. Now go give it a try.

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Radiant Sun	Warm Rays	Soothing Soul
Laughter	Joy	Smiling Face
Allure	Captivating Charm	Adoring Admiration