If you want to be happy, then give something away.....

I am taking my own advice, because just like everyone else, I want to be happy too, so I am giving something away!  I have been designing some bookmark templates to go with my new Illustrated Children's book that I will be announcing very soon, but just not yet.  I don't have the illustrations in my impatient hands, (that's why I am not very happy) so I decided to create something fun for you to give away for Halloween. I plan to laminate these cute and spooky bookmarks, and attach a tootsie roll, or smarties or mini chocolate bar to the back of these, and give them away for Halloween.  This would be a great idea for Teachers or all different Genre's to give a little something to their students.  Kids need bookmarks for their music books, study books, and reading books too.  Let me know how you have used this free printable by commenting on this page.  I want to be happy, so I am giving this away! (These print on 8.5 x 11 paper, but I would use card stock or photo paper because it is heavier.  ENJOY!!!!

Don't let a little rain dampen your spirits!

How many times have you let things stand in the way of your happiness.  Sometimes they are as small , little hurts like cross words, or a harsh look. Does this remind you of you?  If you want to be happy, you must rid yourself of those raindrops sogging you down, in order see the beautiful rainbows.  So many people that we all know, have harbored and actually fed hurt feelings, preventing them from being happy.  They brood, and relish in their own hurt so long that it becomes what defines them, and little do they know how much they miss out on.   

A word from the wise....Everyone has raindrops that fall and dampen their spirits from time to time, and that is normal, but if you don't develop the ability to let them go, you will never be able to enjoy this beautiful life... or see all the lovely rainbows that appear right before your eyes.

Go ahead,  let  go and and be happy!  I dare you!

If you want to be happy... SMILE!

SMILE BIG!!! Enjoy this adorable and very happy song!!!

If you can't listen to this song and come out with a big smile on your face, and feeling happy, I don't know what else will do if for you. Sit back and enjoy this upbeat and happy song. Love it, Love it, Love it!!!

Put on a Happy Face!

Oh how the lyrics of this song can change a sad face to a happy one.  Here is the video clip for you to enjoy and you can follow along the lyrics below.  No... go put on a Happy Face!


,
Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.

Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!

Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that "full of doubt" look,
Slap on a happy grin!

And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!
Put on a happy face
Put on a happy face

And if you're feeling cross and bitterish
Don't sit and whine
Think of banana split and licorice
And you'll feel fine

I knew a girl so gloomy
She'd never laugh or sing
She wouldn't listen to me
Now she's a mean old thing

So spread sunshine all over the place
Just put on a happy face
So, put on a happy face

IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY, THEN FORGIVE!

A young woman sat down with me for lunch and we had a very long chat.  I didn’t know her as well as I should have, but after our chat, I knew everything that I needed to know.  She always smiled, laughed and I couldn’t figure out how she could be so happy in life when she had every reason to be miserable.  Her life was filled with one horrible experience after the other.  On all accounts, most people would think her life tragic.  I wanted to cry for her, and did as she told me the true stories that I don’t think I could have lived through myself.  When I asked her how she could be so happy and optimistic after living through one tragedy after the other, she told me that it simply wasn’t worth the hurt  and the energy to hold on to bad memories. 

 At a very young age, this young woman learned to forgive.  She told me that she doesn’t wait, stew, brood, and be miserable about the constant barrage and continuous flow of bad events that never seem find her at every turn, because she is determined to be happy in spite of them.  She believes that these events won’t ever cease, explaining about the little grey cloud that follows her wherever she goes.  She laughs and says she was born with it and like her shadow, will never stop following her.   She found that by forgiving others of their offenses, is the umbrella (metaphorically speaking) that prevents the rain from keeping her soggy wet. She knows it’s just a matter of time before she’ll get dumped on again, but understands that nobody is immune and it is just a matter of how we determine we will meet the challenges of life.  Forgiving others is what keeps her happy.

After this conversation, I took a very long look at myself and realized that I had been holding on to things way too long.  I realized that holding on to the bad memories and experiences in my own life, and never letting go was like a second nature to me, you know, kind of like a mole on your neck that you didn’t ever dare to have removed.  That evening, I took a long look into my 3 x zoom mirror and noticed how that mole had grown over the years.  It used to be so small that I just ignored it, but over the years it had grown into what looked more like a melanoma, a humongous protuberance that had to be removed.  I knew I needed to set an appointment with the Dermatologist to take care of it once and for all.

What a refreshing feeling it is to get rid of old baggage, and to be able to smile without regrets; and I had to learn it from someone half my age.  I wonder for you who are reading this story,  just how long you have held on to your excess baggage and how much longer will it take for you to be able to forgive, move on and be happy?  Lighten your load, forgive others, and be happy once more.

 

Please enjoy this little clipable printable to clip and post wherever you need to see it to remind yourself of your new attitude of forgiveness.

12 REASONS TO SMILE