Week #259 – Summer Fun: It’s Labor Day Weekend!  (What’s left on your list?!)

Greetings, All — and Happy Friday!!!

I’ve been counting down the Fridays to Labor Day Weekend with some short “Summer Fun” suggestions.  Because —  as I’ve said each week — while many adults are busy planning their kids’ summer fun, they often overlook their own!

And here we are!  It’s Labor Day Weekend!

Do you know where your fun went?  😉

If not, don’t despair!  I know Labor Day Weekend marks the “unofficial” end of summer — but dedicated summer folks know there are really THREE FULL FRIDAYS on the calendar before the first day of Fall. Not to mention…the best weather (and parking for all you beach peeps) await!!!

There’s still time!!!

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: What’s left on your list?  Is there something you wanted to do this summer but haven’t gotten to yet?  Is there a project or day trip or promise that you made that’s nagging at you?  There’s still three full weeks of summer left — and plenty of good weather to come!  Get out your calendar and GET IT DONE!!!  The best of summer can still be yet to come!!

(The rest of you are already decorating for Halloween…I just know it!)

Spread Happyness — share your thoughts in the comments!

8/30/19 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Week #258 – Summer Fun List: Mentor someone!

Greetings All — and Happy Friday!!!

I am counting down the Fridays to Labor Day Weekend with some short “Summer Fun” suggestions.  Because – as I’ve said each week – while many adults are busy planning their kids’ summer fun, they often overlook their own!

And I want to make sure you’re having fun too!

But maybe your kids are already back to school or off to college and you’ve got a little extra time or space in your schedule to start something new!

These precious last weeks of August are a powerful transition time for everyone.

Many newly minted high school graduates are headed off to college.  Last year’s sophomores are entering their all-important senior years.  There are college grads heading out into the workforce for maybe the first time ever.  And many of us adults like to use the power of August and September to make big changes at home or in our careers.

I wrote once about “Lowering the Ladder” to those who were launching a job search, seeking an internship, or looking to start their own businesses or side hustles at the start of the year.

The same rules apply now!

September is the new January…it’s a time of high energy and powerful possibilities. Gentle guidance and solid advice is hard to find…

…and a blessing to deliver!

If you have wisdom to share, here’s an easy way to Spread Happyness: mentor someone!

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Mentor someone!  Do you know someone headed off to college?  Into their senior year?  Or into a first job (or new job)?  Don’t wait for them to ask you for that oh-so-awkward informational interview.  Take the first step — and offer to take him/her out for lunch or coffee or a tour of your workplace.  Think of the people who helped you get where you are right now…that first contact, that first referral, that first interview or hire.  The first person who treated you like an adult!  The things you needed (not necessarily wanted) to hear! No matter what position you are in…you are more than likely in a position to help someone take their very next step.

Spread Happyness — mentor someone, and show them the way this week!

8/23/19 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Week #257 – Summer Fun List: Spread Good Words!  (Here are four easy ways to do it!)

Greetings, All — and Happy Friday!!!

We are counting down the Fridays between now and Labor Day Weekend with some short “Summer Fun” suggestions.  Because —  as I’ve said each week — while many adults are busy planning their kids’ summer fun, they often overlook their own!

So I want to make sure you’re having fun too!

Back-to-school is already in the works in some parts of the country — and one of my favorite things to see this time of year is moms/dads/family members finding creative ways to send their kids into a new/unknown year with words of encouragement.

Here are FOUR WAYS to spread good words to those headed back to school in the weeks ahead!

1. Rock Painting — This is part of a larger movement called “The Kindness Rocks Project” — which is apparently where it all started.  Chances are, someone in your county or region has a Facebook page set up to post pictures of painted rocks, hints about where they are hidden, and pictures of them being found.  The overall message is one of creativity, connection, and community.  And I cannot think of a better way to Spread Happyness than to plant inspiring messages for students to find on their way to/from school or when out running errands!

2. Sidewalk Chalking — Another Facebook friend (a mom in California) was busy decluttering all last summer when she discovered a bunch of sidewalk chalk.  Rather than dump it, she opted to write inspirational messages on her driveway/sidewalk to her kids as they headed back to school — and she invited other parents in her neighborhood to do the same!  The result — kids on their way to/from school were inundated by messages of love, encouragement, and wise advice as they began a new school year.

3. Parking Lot Painting/Chalking — Some schools around the country are allowing their students (especially seniors) to paint/chalk their parking spots for the year.  Check with your school first…but this may be something you can start in your own community.  Sending students into their senior years (especially) with words of wisdom and encouragement could be a beautiful thing!  (Just remember…be sure to check with your school first!)

4. Lunch Box Notes — Many of us remember finding notes in our brown bag lunches. In a world where communication is so instant and easy…it seems silly to take the time to write a physical note that may or may not get found in a lunch bag or briefcase. But finding that note is a signal to your kids (or someone you love) that you thought of them IN ADVANCE. It’s a way to be present with someone when you aren’t physically present with them — and to let them know they are important and known beyond their classroom/workplace.

What other ways could you spread words of love, encouragement, advice, or support to a returning student/teacher/administrator this week?

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Spread Good Words!  Whether it’s painting a rock, chalking a sidewalk or parking space, or hiding secret messages in lunch boxes and briefcases — find a way to spread good words to a student/teacher/administrator or first-time-parent-of-a-student this week!

Spread Happyness — and Spread Good Words!  🙂

8/16/19 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Week #256 – Summer Fun List: Watch the grass (or weeds) grow!

Greetings Tribe — and Happy Friday!

We are counting down the Fridays to Labor Day Weekend with some short “Summer Fun” suggestions because (I’ll keep saying it) — while many adults are busy planning their kids’ summer fun, they often overlook their own!

But this week, I want you to stop what you’re doing for a red-hot second…and watch the grass (or weeds) grow!

Back home in New Jersey…Queen Anne’s Lace is everywhere this time of year. It’s a flirty little weed that always got my attention in late July — and seemed to yell at me:

“Hey you…look around! It’s almost August!”

And here we are!

There is a wonderful stillness this time of year as summer reaches its peak. Gardens are bursting, trees are at their fullest, the grass is at its longest…but harvest season isn’t quite here yet. There seems to be nothing left to do except sit back and watch it all grow.

Of course, with our modern schedules and technology there is always plenty to do: work continues, activities go on, there are vacations to take, and places to visit, and back-to-school shopping to do…

…but nature knows better.

Get out in nature. Take a cue from your garden or lawn, flower bed or park! Make like a tree…and be still! 😉

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Watch the grass (or weeds) grow! Back to school is about to start…but before it does, take a minute to kick back with your favorite beverage (and maybe your favorite person or pet) and watch the grass grow (or a thunderstorm brew)! It may be uncomfortable to sit still and do (gasp!) nothing for a few minutes. Do it anyway! Try it. Take five or fifteen minutes once a day (or once this week) to sit in the same spot and notice what is happening around you. I know the clock is ticking…but our world keeps its very own perfect time.

“Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” (Henry David Thoreau)

Spread Happyness — where do you like to stop and watch the weeds grow?

8/9/19 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Week #255 – Summer Fun List: It’s County Fair Time!!!

Greetings, All — and Happy Friday!!!

I’m counting down the Fridays to Labor Day Weekend with some short “Summer Fun” suggestions.  Because —  as I’ve said each week — while many adults get busy planning their kids’ summer fun, they often overlook their own!

And I want to make sure you’re having fun too!

This week we WELCOME AUGUST — and you know what that means:

It’s County Fair Time!!!

August is the official start of Harvest Season — which means it’s the time of year for county fairs or farm and horse shows.  And no matter how magical Disney may be, or how great an adventure Six Flags is…there is nothing like staying local and taking in your town’s carnival, county fair, or farm and horse show!

And while you’re there, don’t forget to RIDE the RIDES!!!  You can get some scream therapy on a roller coaster, battle it out on bumper cars, let loose on the swings, or laugh yourself silly on the Rock-n-Roll Express.

But if you find yourself saying, “I’ll wait right here…” — take that as a cue to buy yourself a ticket, a token, or a wristband and GET IN LINE!  It’s easy to sit back and watch…but it’s more fun to get over yourself, get in line, and be a kid again!  (Bonus — waiting on line with your spouse/kid/friend/loved-one offers great conversation time.)

I’m once again hoping to hit the Ventura County Fair this Saturday (or next) to listen to some music, take a look at the livestock and garden displays, and maybe catch a little rodeo!  We may even get in line for an amusement or two…especially a ride on the Ferris Wheel!

So Spread Happyness this week — and take your baby to the carnival!  🙂

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: “Take your baby to the carnival!”  Whether it’s the town carnival, county fair, or your favorite boardwalk…grab the ones you love and head out for a night of fresh air, food trucks, and festivities.  Ride some rides, play some games, walk in circles, and watch the fireworks.  Farm and horse shows also offer educational opportunities, history lessons, and local participation and competition that you won’t find at a corporate theme park.  So get out there…ride some rides, and have some fun at the fair!!!

Spread Happyness — get out to the carnival, fair, or farm and horse show this week!

8/2/19 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com