(Used with permission)

Week #220 – MONSTER TRUCKS for TOYS rolls on!  (Happyness Continued — with Amy Wood-Oblen)

Greetings Happyness Tribe — and Happy Holidays!!!

The holiday season is officially upon us — and nothing pleases me more than to revisit (once again) the story of a young mother paying it forward as part of my Year-End Countdown to Happyness!

Especially THIS year — as Amy and her family lost their regularly scheduled venue for their unique annual charity event.  (Read on…)

For more than five years, Amy Wood-Oblen and her monster-truck driving family headlined the Monster Trucks for Toys Event at the Chatterbox Drive-In in Augusta, NJ — which benefited children in Sussex County, NJ.

Last year, it was announced that the Chatterbox would be closing in 2018.  Which left Amy and her family searching for a venue to donate their truly unique offering: Monster Truck Rides in exchange for the donation of a toy/gift for local families in need this holiday season.

But it seemed that finding a home for a big monster truck is not that easy!

And, in addition to mere logistics, Amy and her family have faced several challenges this year.  In a quick chat with Amy via private message, she filled me in:

“This year has definitely been trying.  We lost a friend in January, lost my stepdad the same week my daughter got kicked in the head by a horse and we almost lost her, and two weeks ago my mother-in-law’s boyfriend of 31 years passed away.”

Amy had every reason to let it go — to skip this year and maybe pick it up again in the future.  But, as anyone who knows Amy probably knows, she pressed on!  Determined to do something for the holiday season, “We asked our kids’ school next door to find out what local families need help…”

…and bam, she got a venue!

So this Saturday, December 1st from 11-3p in Hackettstown, NJ — Amy and her monster-truck-driving-family will continue their tradition of giving free monster truck rides in exchange for toys!  The flyer (above) is dark, so here are the details:

Winter Holiday Fundraiser Monster Truck Rides
Saturday, December 1st from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
(Rain date: Saturday, December 8th)
High View Farms
416 Sandshore Road
Hackettstown, NJ
We ask for toy donations in exchange for a monster truck ride.
All toy donations will benefit Sandshore School’s Giving Tree and Winter Wonderland Toy Shoppe which will be given to local families in need.

Amy told me in 2015 that she and her family are happy to give back (at that time, to Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Program).  “It means a lot to us because years before I met my husband I lived in Sussex County with my son and for a few years they helped me to put presents under my tree, so I owe them a lot.”

This year, the tradition continues!!!

2015 Monster Trucks for Toys Event at the Chatterbox (photo credit: Amy Wood-Oblen)

(To read more about how Amy and her husband got this all started…visit my original post on Week #63.)

Your Happyness Challenge for the week ahead: GIVE GENEROUSLY!!! As I wrote in Week #11 when this blog first started, one of my brother’s greatest joys was donating to Toys for Tots each year.  Spread the Wealth again this year!  If you’re a Sussex County local, Amy’s event on Saturday is a great place to start.  Otherwise — find a church, local food bank (don’t forget the coffee!), Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, or other organization that will benefit people in need right in your own backyard!

Spread Happyness — GIVE GENEROUSLY!  Spread the Wealth and donate a game or toy (or food, coffee, pajamas, etc.) to those in need this year!

(And if you or someone you know is hosting their own local charity event or fundraiser that Spreads Happyness directly to those who need it — please let me know!  I’d love to feature them on the blog!)

11/30/18 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

(PS: Special thanks to Amy Wood-Oblen for taking the time to share and update her story with me again this year!  To learn more about NJ Monster Trucks, visit them on Facebook at facebook.com/NJMonsters)

Week #219 – Keep Counting!  (33 Days of Gratitude Starts Now!)

Greetings Happyness Tribe — and Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving may be “over”…but there is no reason to let the gratitude stop!  November is known as “Gratitude Month”…but for the past few years I’ve proposed we keep it going.  

And this year is no different.

Because after our single biggest day of giving thanks — we turn and face the most commercial season of the year.  It’s no secret that retailers thrive on lack to drive their profits.  And as many of us are trying desperately to simplify the holidays — retailers seem to scream even louder to get our attention.

It turns what many desire to be a season of happiness and contentment into a season of lack and comparison.

And so, I wanted to repeat my challenge again this year…to continue giving thanks into December and give ourselves the gift of gratitude this holiday season!

(This idea was born out of my own lack of gratitude two years ago.  You can read about it on Week #115.)

So here it is!  A very simple, one-page calendar that you (or your kids) can hang on your wall or refrigerator and fill in each day — and a challenge to Count Your Blessings for 33 days straight!  (40 days if you take it right through to New Year’s Day!)

Think you can do it?!

Your Happyness Challenge for the week ahead: KEEP COUNTING!  Amid the stress and strife of the season ahead…give YOURSELF the gift of gratitude!  Download the 33 Days of Gratitude printable PDF and start counting your blessings today!  Come Christmas Day — you’ll have 33 reminders of everything that is going right and well in your life!  (And I will too!)

Spread Happyness — Share Freely!  And start counting your blessings today!

11/23/18 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Spread Happyness…Share Freely!

Week #218 – Thank You, First Responders!

Greetings Happyness Tribe!

Wildfires in the west, snowstorms in the east.  You know who will be working today, tomorrow,  Thanksgiving Day, and all throughout the holiday season?

First responders.

Which has me thinking about a post I wrote just about a year ago this time.  We had just experienced a flare up of fires in our area, and my church used the hour in between morning services to write thank you notes to firehouses all across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

I thought that was a great idea.

Your police department, firehouse, or ambulance squad doesn’t close because it’s a holiday or because there’s snow.  They don’t get to lock the door and call it quits for the day.

They are ready and waiting — away from their families and friends — to serve you in case of an emergency.

The wildfires in California once again have us all thanking our first responders.  How about you?

Your Happyness Challenge for the week ahead: Thank your first responders!  As you are running your holiday errands this week — be sure to stop by your local firehouse, police station, or ambulance squad and Spread Happyness their way with a goodie bag, some cookies, or a thank you note letting them know you appreciate their being at the ready while you celebrate with your family.  Also, feel free to share the photo above with anyone that you want to say thank you to this week!

(And if you are a first responder — I would love to hear your perspective!)

Spread Happyness — thank your first responders this week!

(And if you or someone you know has a fun way to Spread Happyness this holiday season — please let me know!  I’d love to feature their story of Happyness in Action on the blog!)

11/16/18 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

A quick internet search returns multiple sources quoting that people make up to 35,000 decisions every day…from when exactly to get out of bed to when to call it quits for the day.  Some sources say that we make over 200 decisions about food alone!

Each decision is a silent vote:
– YES – I will get out of bed.
– NO – I will not hit the snooze bar again.
– YES – I will floss.
– NO – I will not pick at that blemish.
– YES – I will weigh myself.
– NO – I will not check Facebook before I shower.

The list goes on…and it’s easy to see how we can amass THOUSANDS of little decisions in a very short period of time.

Some of these decisions are quite easy — because we’ve already made bigger, pre-set decisions about them so they fall neatly in line:
– YES – I will go to work and be on time
(therefore, I will get up and out of bed and hit the shower immediately).
– YES – I will take care of my physical health (therefore, I will floss every day, leave my face alone, and weigh myself daily).

When you “vote” early and often for the things you truly want in life — temptations, like really wanting to stay in bed, become small and insignificant compared to the big goals of providing for your family, succeeding in your career, or living a happy and productive life.

Week #216 – Gratitude Games (Ten Easy Ways to Count Your Blessings!)

I’m counting down the last ten Fridays of 2018 — and as we turn the calendars from October to November, the theme for the month ahead seems universal:

Gratitude.

There’s been more written than I can recap here about the benefits of gratitude (just Google “benefits of gratitude” and you can read up on it yourself) — but suffice it to say it’s a relatively low-risk endeavor for a potentially high return.  Gratitude is free, it’s accessible to all, and you don’t have to be in a perfect spot to start.

(In fact, being in an imperfect spot might prove the benefits even more.)

You just need to start.

So I thought I’d gather up a few common ways I’ve seen lately to count blessings — and open up the floor to see if we can expand the list!

Ten Easy Ways to Count Your Blessings this November

1. In the Morning — as soon as you open your eyes (and before you reach for your phone) take a moment to appreciate the air in your lungs, the comfort of your bed, the first light of sun, the warm body (or bodies) next to you, the fact that your coffee just clicked on, or that you have a job to go to (or that it’s the weekend).  You get the idea!
2. In the Evening — once again, when your head hits the pillow (and before you start to scroll), take a moment to reflect back on your day and go over all the things you are grateful for…or, at the very least, that the day is over and you survived!
3. Alone — you can practice gratitude all on your own.  (No one has to know.)
4. Together — you can rope others in: family, children, coworkers, friends, a boyfriend/girlfriend, or accountability partner.  Make it a group a challenge!
5. Numerical – decide on a fixed number for each day, like one at a time or three a day.
6. Alphabetical — this is my method!  I keep a journal with alphabetized pages where I randomly jot down things that I’m grateful for.  When I’m having a bad day, I can page through the journal quickly to remind myself of all the things that make my heart happy!  And when something occurs to me, it’s easy to find a spot to file it away!
7. Compounding – starting with November 1st, come up with a corresponding number of items for each calendar date (so one on the first, two on the second, three on the third, etc.).  If I added it up correctly, this will result in a total of 465 items on your list!  (Someone, please check my math!)
8. In a Jar — keep a pretty jar or vase with strips of paper handy (on the kitchen counter, in the entry way, or in the living room) where your family can randomly jot down things they are grateful for.  Set a date to empty and read through all the items.
9. On a Tree/Wreath — likewise, keep sticky cut-outs (your can get these in Michaels) or ribbons or strips of paper near a small indoor tree or wreath and add your thoughts throughout the month.
10. Through the Mail — set aside thirty blank notecards to jot down one thank you note each day throughout the month!

What about you?  What are your favorite ways to count blessings?  Please share them with me via email (below) or in the comments and I’ll add them to the list!

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Play the Gratitude Game!  We’re only two days into November…it’s not too late to start.  Pick an idea and run with it!  Try it for a month and see if it lives up to the hype.  What have you got to lose?  Or if you have an idea you love, please take the time to share it with me!  Nothing Spreads Happyness like a grateful heart!

And while I’m at it, let me just say, I’m so grateful for YOU!!!

Spread Happyness — share your favorite Gratitude Game in the comments!

11/2/18 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Q4-2018 (photo credit: Grace Church)

Week #214 – Q4 is Underway! (What do you have left to do in 2018?)

Greetings Tribe — and Happy Friday!

It seems like just yesterday we flipped the calendar to October — and here we are now, more than halfway through the month already!

As I’ve written before, the turn into October is usually a white-flag moment for me: the last lap.  A time to stop, take stock, and set a course for Q4 — the finish line of the calendar year.

This year, the first few weeks of October got away from me once again.  (What is it about October?!)  But starting today, there are eleven remaining Fridays left in 2018 — and they have my attention!

Because that’s TEN FULL WEEKS to finish 2018 STRONG!

Have you been keeping up with your dreams and goals this year?  If so…good for you!!!  Hopefully you’ve been keeping track of the good stuff, too: gratitudes, achievements, highlights, benchmarks, photos, accomplishments.

(If not, don’t worry.  Check out Week #68 for some surefire ways to remember these things!)

The beginning of October may have gotten away from me…but the middle definitely has my attention!

How about you?  What do you have left to do in 2018?

Your Happyness Challenge for the week ahead: What do you have left to do in 2018?  Is there something you still need to do that is nagging at you?  If so…you’ve got ten full weeks to get it done!  Don’t take unfinished business into the new year.  Break it down into ten steps…share it with a friend…find yourself a buddy…get to work…and get it DONE!

Most important…keep collecting the good stuff!  Keep on keeping track of the good stuff!  Because we need more of that.  More focus on the wins.  More focus on what’s right.  More focus on loving our lives — so that we can live our lives more fully.

Spread Happyness — share your thoughts and plans for Q4 in the comments!

10/19/18 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

“Support a Caregiver” (photo credit: Grace Church)

Week #212 – Support a Caregiver!

Greetings all — and Happy Friday!!!

November is officially National Family Caregivers Month…but I want to take a moment this week, before the holiday rush, to plant a little seed:

Caregivers are all around us…and while some are professionals, most are very likely family members who have stepped into the role of caregiving for an aging parent, a sick loved one, or a special needs child.

Most likely, this person makes it all look very easy…like they are some kind of natural.

And perhaps you feel like you wish you could do more, but aren’t sure what to do.

You can.  And there is.

Because even if a caregiver you know has all the bases covered, all the plates spinning, and everything perfectly in balance — there is still one thing you can do:

You can give some care to him/her!

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Support a Caregiver!  Be on the lookout this week for someone you know who is providing care for someone else.  They’re probably very used to answering questions about the person they care for…but why not ask him/her how THEY are doing? How they are holding up?  Are they getting enough sleep?  Enough to eat?  Enough time to relax (or maybe even have some fun)?  Are their responsibilities covered at home/work?  What might they want or need…or what else is going on in their lives?

And then, if you want to, ask how you might help?

Caregivers are a special breed — be on the lookout for one this week and offer your support!

(And if you’re a caregiver…I would love to hear from you!)

Spread Happyness — share your thoughts in the comments!

10/5/18 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

“Tis the Season!” (photo credit: Grace Church)

Week #211 – Start talking about the holidays NOW!

Greetings all — and Happy Friday!!!

This week I’m going to talk a little more about one of the five ideas I posted last week on ways to Welcome Fall.

And I know it’s going to ruffle some turkey feathers…but here it goes:

#5 – START TALKING ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS NOW!

(To see the other four ideas…check out Week #210.)

Last week I acknowledged that this one is a little controversial because nobody likes to be rushed into the holidays…but waiting until November 23rd to start talking about who is spending which holiday where is too late!

And I don’t know about you but I like to enjoy Thanksgiving Weekend for what it is (a very rare 4-day holiday weekend) — not some violent induction into the 2018 Holiday Season!

SO GET OUT AHEAD OF IT!

Christmas and New Year’s are literally 3 months away.  That’s just the end of baseball season, Halloween, Election Day, and one Thanksgiving Day away…and BAM.  It’s the holidays!

This year, give yourself the gift of a well-planned holiday season!

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Start talking about the holidays NOW! Some of you may be nodding your heads in agreement…and others may be wanting to choke me through the screen.  I’m okay with that…because if this post helps even one person get ahead of their holiday, I’m willing to take that risk!  🙂  This year, give yourself the gift of a well-planned holiday season.  Start planning…NOW!

(And chances are, no matter what you do, you’re probably going to disappoint at least one person anyway…make sure it isn’t yourself!)

Spread Happyness — Too soon?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

9/28/18 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com