Sunday, January 17, 2010

C'mon, get happy



Happiness is contagious, so here's to spreading it around like swirls of frosting. This bright award came to me from Stephanie Thornton at Hatshepsut: The Writing of a Novel. Stephanie is a history teacher who is funny, informative, and she sometimes teases with fascinating tidbits about a mysterious Egyptian ruler. A big thank you to Stephanie for the award and for saying something nice about the occasional bursts of little poems I write here.


In the spirit of passing this along, I am to tell you ten things that make me happy. These are NOT in order of importance, just random.


1) Writers who blog and enrich my life with their stories.


This morning I went to Lisa Schroeder's blog and watched a video of her doing drive-by booksignings. It made me smile. Then I read the links to interviews of her by other bloggers. And I smiled some more. Lisa said in one that she doesn't try to write messages in her YA books, which are often about learning to deal with loss. She said she would just like readers to gain a new appreciation for how precious life is, to realize that each day is a gift.


2) Friends and family.


Last night I went to a welcoming of the New Year, somewhat belatedly, at the home of one of my critique partners. There was amazing food and good company. We were all asked to bring a photo of a pet and a story to go with it. This turned into a blast. People, even the non-writers, came up with such fun and winsome tidbits to share. Laughter is a tonic like no other.
Pretty much nothing brightens my day more than hearing my daughter's voice on the other end of the phone and listening to her comments on life. She is a keen observer of the world.
3) Books. Maybe I should say right here that you can bury me with books, just in case there's any chance I can take them to the afterlife.
4) Art, whether it's beautiful or striking or haunting or thought-provoking. What I love is to see creativity through someone else's eyes.
5) Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I will watch it and laugh and cry until they bury me with all those books.
6) Listening to birds in the morning. Hearing the trees alive with cheerios, chirps, whistles and shout-outs.
7) Saying hello to a stranger on the street and having them smile in return.
8) A magnificent thunderstorm.
9) Walking barefoot in the sand.
10) Sunrise. Sunset.
Of course, I'm to pass this happiness along. This is always too hard, but I will name a few, and I know not everybody does awards, so there is no pressure to accept or pass this along. Only if you please.
Wishing everyone a week of happiness and peace.

31 comments:

Valerie Geary said...

Thank you! :)

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Awww, thanks! Aren't you sweet! I like the thought of my blog being a happy one. ;)

Frankie Diane Mallis said...

YES! BUFFY!

Paul Greci said...

Nice list of things that make you happy. A great way to start the week! And a nice reminder that smiling at strangers can brighten someone's day.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I love these kind of posts...sharing yourself gives your readers an insigh into who you are.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Valerie & Sherrinda: You're most welcome!

Frankie: I feel I should build Joss Whedon a shrine or something.

Paul: It really works. I remember being in a small town in Ireland and every single person who passed by would say some cheerful greeting. It was such an uplift.

Sharon: It does make you think, too. We take so much for granted that it's good to take time for reflection.

* said...

I like the idea of writing about a pet in a critique group.

And I agree, laughter is a great form of medicine (almost as good as chocolate!). ;)

Angela Ackerman said...

These are all great ones. Especially the birds, sand and a stranger's smile!

Melissa Hurst said...

Thank you Tricia! This makes me so happy:)

Donna said...

Love the happy thoughts. I'm inspired to make my own list.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Terresa: In this case, it was a party game but it could be a prompt for any writers group. Just about everyone has a good pet story that is filled with humor or pathos.

Angela: I love that moment of being quiet and noticing that the birds are anything but!

Melissa: You're welcome!

Donna: Please do. It's always interesting to actually write it down. Pathways open.

Bish Denham said...

Wow! Thanks Tricia.

Unknown said...

It is definitely contagious! Congrats and keep spreading! I'm loving hearing about what makes others happy.

Shelby said...

I LOVED THIS POST!!! I needed to smile and know that happines is contagious (I know it, I just need to see it happening sometimes.. you know, that reminder thing).

Hugs to you. and cheers.

Linda Kage said...

Congrats on the award. Have you seen Buffy vs. Edward Cullen of Twilight on YouTube? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZwM3GvaTRM

Amalia Dillin said...

I love Buffy too! I don't know how I forgot about it in my list! :)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Bish: You are so welcome!

Nisa: I'm enjoying them, too. Spreading the cheer.

Shelby: Now that's a cheery comment and welcome to my blog. It's so nice to meet you!

Linda: I LOVE that video. It cracks me up. Buffy would never take put up with Edward's stalker emo.

Amalia: Yay! More Buffy fans!

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Congrats on the award!

I will definitely have to watch that video.

Unknown said...

Congrats, on your award!

I love Lisa Schroeder's blog,too.

Elana Johnson said...

Congrats on the award! So many good bloggers out there -- I think I know all the ones on your list.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Hey, Carolina, thanks!

Elle: Lisa is really wonderful. My favorite anecdote she told was a girl who had never finished a book until she read I Heart You, You Haunt Me. I think that's the best praise a writer could ever earn.

Elana: I know! It's overwhelming trying to keep up with everybody, but it's also great to have so many good writers blogging.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the intro to some of these fantastic blogs!

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

great list - i agree with the bloggers :)

lisa and laura said...

Congrats on the award! Lisa Schroeder is fab, right? Love her.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Suzy & Shelli: Thanks!

LiLa: Agreed. Lisa is absolutely fab. :)

kah said...

Darn it! I forgot beaches and sunsets in my 10 things. Oh well, guess there is no way to include them all. Congrats on the award!

Laura Canon said...

Congrats to you, and thank you for the award! What a nice way to start the week!

MG Higgins said...

Congratulations, Tricia. You and your blog deserve the recognition. Isn't that true about having a stranger return your greeting? It's a simple thing that really lifts my spirits.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Karen: Beaches and sunsets. Ah. They are two of my very favorite things.

Laura: Glad to spread the happiness!

Mel: Thanks! I really do love the moment of smiling eye contact with a stranger, and no strings attached, just a friendly greeting.

PJ Hoover said...

I love your list! It is relationships and the small things that make all the difference in our happiness!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

PJ: It actually made me happy to pinpoint the things that do make me happy. :)