Thoughtful Thursday – Mirror Neurons

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What are mirror neurons? Mirror neurons are the part of the brain that cause us to mimic or reflect back what we are seeing in another person. For example when you see some one hurt themselves, you may winch and feel their pain. Or when some one yawns, you’ll have to yawn yourself even though you’re not tired. The same also holds true for when some one is in a bad or good mood. Their mood may rub off on us. This is because of the mirror neurons in our brains.

When I first started my morning walks I’d smile at strangers and most often I didn’t get much of a response, much less a positive one. But I didn’t let this stop me because I was determined to share my happiness.

As I continued my walks day after day, I’d smile bigger and longer. If that didn’t work I’d follow that with a twinkling wave and a cheerful “Good Morning!” I completely understand that not everyone wants to be happy and that’s ok.

But smiles are contagious and are universally understood. If you smile at some one long enough, you’ll most likely get a smile back due to the mirror neurons. Whether you’re in a good mood or not, the fact that you’re smiling instantly raises your energy and you can’t help but feel uplifted.

After a couple of weeks something magical started happening. These strangers who were not the happiest little campers suddenly became friendlier. I began to get big smiles, twinkling waves and morning shout outs of “Good Morning!” So much so that some would go out of their way to greet me. It made me feel even happier that I was able to share my positive energy with others. I may not have changed the world, but I changed my corner of it, just a bit.

Imagine if everyone tried to “Share the Happy” with those around them. Life isn’t always perfectly happy but when we put more of that positive energy out there, it will surely come back to us ten fold. So what are you waiting for, get out and share a great big smile with some one today 😊

Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” ~Buddha

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Thoughtful Thursday – Give Mom a Gift that Touches her Heart ðŸ’–

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Mother’s Day is fast approaching, this Sunday, May 9th. So why not give mom a gift that touches the heart. I have many fond memories of Mother’s Day celebrations but when my son baked me a vanilla cake with chocolate frosting, all vegan from scratch with a beautiful design in colored sprinkles, that really touched my heart 💖 He put so much love into that cake for me I’ll cherish that memory forever. Not to mention, the cake was so delicious we polished it off in only 2 days!!

Another touching memory was when my daughter spent a very rainy Mother’s Day with me watching our favorite movies with popcorn and candy. We had lunch in between and even played a few board games which is something I’ve loved doing since I was a kid. We had such fun together as we laughed all day. She created a wonderful loving memory that I will hold in my heart till the end of time 💖

So what are you going to do for you mom on Mother’s Day that will touch her heart? Here’s a few ideas to get you inspired:

  • Cook her favorite meal and serve it on a lavishly decorated table.
  • Bake her favorite sweet treat and serve it up bistro style.
  • Take her on a picnic and spend a quiet afternoon talking.
  • Take an art class with her, whether online or in person and create something together.
  • Make a scrapbook filled with all of your favorite memories and photos of her.
  • Make her a handmade card or mini book with special photos or memorabilia.
  • If you’re computer savvy, create a video slide show of your favorites times spent together.
  • Make her a spa basket with handmade treatments (plenty of recipes can be found online).

Get creative, put a little extra thought into it and give her a gift from your heart 💖

Thanks for stopping by!

Share the Happy!!!

“When you look into your mother’s eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth.” ~Mitch Albom

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Thoughtful Thursday

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10 Ways to Share the Happy

Everyone can use a little cheering up, especially these days. So I’m sharing with you a few thoughtful ways to brighten someone’s day. Again, these are just ideas to help get your creative minds going:

  1. Help a neighbor in need by bringing them a meal.
  2. Call a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in a while and chat for a while.
  3. Create a bookmark with inspiring words and leave it in a library book for someone to find.
  4. Buy the person behind you in the coffee line, a cup of coffee or a cookie or both!
  5. Create a small piece of happy art and leave it in the park or by a tree for someone to enjoy.
  6. Let someone having a tough day go in front of you at the check out.
  7. Buy a small bouquet of flowers and give them out to those who need a little happy in their day.
  8. Hold the door open for someone who needs a helping hand.
  9. Leave a note with kind uplifting words in a friend or family member’s bag to brighten their day when they least expect it.
  10. Smile at the beautiful souls you pass by throughout your day!

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” LaoTzu

How are can you brighten someone’s day?

Thanks for stopping by, Share the Happy!

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Here’s another idea, give your loved one a morning greeting with their coffee!