Ray’s Daily
July 20, 2020
“The true secret of happiness lies in the taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.”
William Morris
Here we go again, another week. I don’t know what you have planned but Nancy and I will mostly continue our staying in and avoiding the risk of Covid infection. It is something we have been doing for months, we have learned how to make the time fairly enjoyable.
To tell the truth we spend a lot of time in our recliners watching TV. We have access to a wide varity of offerings including a number of streaming services. We tend to record and watch nostalgia pieces as well as the news. Our retirement community staff also provides us with various diversions and we are always grateful for the chance to do something different.
Here is an abridged article with ideas on how we can get more enjoyment out of our days during these troubled times.
18 Easy Things You Can Do Right Now to Make Yourself Happier
Written by Zina Harrington
Below are eighteen simple self-care actions you can do right now to bring joy to your life:
1 | Set an alarm to remind you to watch the sunrise tomorrow. – You have the opportunity to calmly start your mornings this way every single day.
2 | Write down three things you are thankful for today. – Using a gratitude journal is one of the simplest things you can do to start your day off on a happy note
3 | Take a photo. – One of the most pleasant, yet unexpected, side effects of learning more about photography is that you start to notice the beauty in every day — in small moments with your family, in how the light catces, in the little everyday details of life.
4 | Go for a walk, run, or hike. – It is a great art to saunter. Henry David Thoreau *love this quote.
5 | Practice saying no. – We’ve all taken on too much. Steer clear of time-sucking activities that don’t add meaning to your life. Say yes to less.
6 | Watch a TED Talk. – Check out the life-focused TED Talk playlists and find something that catches your attention.
7 | Make plans to travel alone. – Plan a short weekend getaway, just for YOU. Eat where you want. Stay where you want. Do what you want. And it’s all on YOUR timetable.
8 | Enjoy a catnap. – in the middle of the afternoon. Guilt-free.
9 | Make a date with yourself at the bookstore or library. – Slowly wander around. Enjoy the quiet while you browse titles, slow down, and feel inspired by all that’s around you.
10 | Appreciate the beauty in our world. – Give yourself flowers. Order them online or pick yourself up a bouquet at the local farmer’s market.
11 | Try a 5-minute meditation. – Scientific studies continue to show the positive effects meditation can have in your life. You have 1,440 minutes today; find 5 for yourself.
12 | Get creative in the kitchen.- Experiment and try a new recipe. Have fun making it—and then EATING it.
13 | Give someone you love a 6-second hug.- Wrap your arms around them and hold them tight for a full six seconds. You’ll BOTH feel the benefits.
14 | Watch a movie. – …by yourself. Head to the bedroom (or any private place) with your laptop in hand, or go to the local movie theater with popcorn money in your pocket.
15 | Enjoy some fresh air and the warmth of the sun.- Head outside for a nature break, or stand in the light of an open window to feel the sunshine warming your face or a breeze blowing in. It only takes a few minutes to do wonders to reset your mood.
16 | Join a book club for “recovering readers.” – Love to read, but haven’t picked up a fiction book in years? Then this low-stress, online book club is for you. If you feel like you need an excuse to sit down with a book, this is perfect.
17 | Smile at strangers. – Take a quick walk around your block holding hands with your partner and say “hello” to smiling strangers.
18 | Watch the evening sky. – Steal a minute to enjoy the sky as it transitions from day to night.
BONUS TIP: Forgive yourself.
Did today not go the best? Let it go… Tomorrow’s a new day.
~~~
“There is no happiness like that of being loved by your fellow creatures, and feeling that your presence is an addition to their comfort.”
Charlotte Bronte
~~~
It was mealtime during our trip on a small airline in the Northwest.
“Would you like dinner?” the flight attendant asked the man seated in front of me.
“What are my choices?” he asked.
“Yes or no,” she replied.
~~~
Misers aren’t much fun to live with, but they make great ancestors.
~~~
Grandma Goldberg, a woman of 85, was slowly ambling down the street when she met her physician Dr. Cohen. Dr. Cohen, a dapper graying man in his early 60’s asked the elderly lady, “Mrs. Goldberg how are you feeling?”
For a long moment the woman gave the good doctor a terrible stare and then she said — “You ask me how I’m feeling! I’ll tell you how I’m feeling!! My legs hurt, my chest is sore, my heart is beating too fast and I can’t sleep!!! I have horrible headaches and stomach pains too!”
The good doctor looked at the elderly lady with compassion, “If you’re feeling so awful, why didn’t you come and see me right away?”
Grandma Goldberg let out a sigh and said, “I was just waiting until I felt a little better.”
~~~
“A man sent a postcard from Las Vegas to a friend: Having a wonderful time. Wish I could afford it.”
Myron Cohen
~~~
Two tourists were driving through Wisconsin …As they were approaching Oconomowoc, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town’s name. They argued back and forth until they stopped for lunch. As they stood at the counter, one tourist asked the blonde employee. “Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are… very slowly?
The blonde girl leaned over the counter and said, “Burrrr, Gerrrr, Kiiiing.”
~~~
To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent that is to triumph over old age.
Amos Bronson Alcott
~~~
The Association of Southern Schools has decided to seek a grant designating Southern slang, or Y’allbonics, as a language to be taught in all Southern schools. The following are excerpts from the Y’allbonics/English dictionary.
1) HEIDI – (noun) – Greeting.
2) HIRE YEW – Complete sentence. Remainder of greeting. Usage: “Heidi, Hire yew?”
3) BARD – (verb) – Past tense of the infinitive “to borrow”. Usage: “My brother bard my pickup truck.”
4) JAWJUH – (noun) – The state north of Florida. Capitol is Lanner. Usage: “My brother from Jawjuh bard my pickup truck and took it to Lanner.”
5) BAMMER – (noun) – The state west of Jawjuh. Capitol is Berminhayam. Usage: “A tornader jes went through Bammer an’ left $20,000 in improvements.”
6) MUNTS – (noun) – A calendar division. Usage: “My brother from Jawjuh bard my pickup truck, and I ain’t herd from him in munts.”
7) THANK – (verb) – Cognitive process. Usage: “Ah thank ah’ll have a bare.”
8) BARE – (noun) – An alcoholic beverage made of barley, hops, and yeast. Usage: “Ah thank ah’ll have a nutter bare.”
9) IGNERT – (adjective) – Not smart. See “Arkansas native.” Usage:” Them Bammer boys sure are ignert!”
10) RANCH – (noun) – A tool used for tight’nin’ bolts. Usage: “I thank I left my ranch in the back of that pickup truck my brother from Jawjuh bard a few munts ago.”
~~~
Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were.
~~~
Nadine and Jill were talking about a friend who had just given birth to triplets.
“You know, that only happens one in twelve-thousand times?” said Nadine.
“Amazing!” said Jill. “How did she ever find time to do any housework?”
~~~
Law of Institutional Food: Everything is cold except what should be.
~~~
An expert on whales was telling friends about some of the unusual findings he had made.
“For instance,” he said, “some whales can communicate at a distance of 300 miles.”
“What on earth would one whale say to another 300 miles away?” asked a sarcastic member of the group.
“I’m not absolutely sure,” answered the expert, “but I bet it sounds something like. “Heeeeeeey! Can you hear me nowwww!?!'”
~~~
“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.”
Earl Nightingale
~~~
Ray Mitchell
Indianapolis, Indiana
Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.
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Comments on: "What are you gping to do?" (1)
I am walking each and every day, no matter the weather