Week #293 – Thanks to Everyone on the Frontline!

Greetings Tribe — and Happy (and Healthy) Friday!

As talk turns to re-opening America, I want to take a moment to publicly thank everyone working on the front line during our current health crisis.

And I mean Ev-ery-one.

There are too many professionals to name…too many “essential” workers to list.

You know why? Because we’re finding out…you’re all pretty darned essential.

Your Happyness Challenge for the week ahead: Thanks to Everyone on the Frontline!  While many of us are able to stay “safe at home” — many others continue to go to work in the face of uncertain or even questionable conditions. As you are out and about this week, consider those you encounter who are still showing up to serve you — and be sure to thank them for being there.

(And if you are considered “essential” — I’d love to hear how people are appreciating you!)

Spread Happyness — Thanks to Everyone on the Frontline!

4/24/20 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Week #292 – Re-Define “Normal“

Greetings Tribe — Happy (and Healthy) Friday to you all!

There’s a lot of talk about re-opening America…getting adults back to work, getting the kids back to school, and getting the economy up and running.

And while there is plenty of debate about how that will happen and what that will look like…everyone seems to agree on one thing:

Things will not be going “back to normal.”

Here in Los Angeles we’re already seeing new versions of what normal might look like: limiting patrons in stores, continued physical distancing, and the wearing of face coverings and gloves out in public.

It’s a great time to consider what our individual “normal” looked like before mid-March…and how much of that we want to keep in our “new normal” post-shutdown.

• What is it that you miss most about your “old normal?”
• What is it that you DON’T miss at all (be honest)?
• What things do you wish you had in place when we went into shutdown?
• What is your plan to make sure you bring these with you into your “new normal?”

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Re-Define “Normal.” Most of us have been in shutdown for over a month already. It is inevitable that things will re-open…and it’s probably going to happen sooner than we know it. When you’re finally given the green light to go back to work, back to school, or back to whatever it was you were doing before…what about this shutdown do you want to take with you into your “new normal?”

Stay safe. Stay healthy. And Spread Happyness!

Spread Happyness…and Re-Define “Normal.”

4/17/20 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Week #291 – How’s everybody doing out there?

Greetings Tribe — Happy (and Healthy) Friday to you all!

(And a Happy Passover and Easter Week to all who are celebrating!)

Last week, I challenged myself to take some of my own advice. And this week I thought I’d do the same.

I’m flashing back to Week #13 and remembering a phrase that was left on Rob’s “word board” at his wake:

“Hey, how ya’ doing?”

This is a question we hear in passing every single day (How are ya?  How ya’ doing?) — but few people really intend to get an answer.  As many of you know, my brother Rob was not a casual question asker-er.  When he asked you something — he meant it.  He wanted to know the answer — and he was prepared to take the time to get it.  He wasn’t afraid of an honest answer either.  In fact, he seemed to delight in it!  I’d venture a guess that much of the happiness in our individual relationships with him was built on this kind of ease and honesty.  It is one of the things I selfishly miss the most.

And so, I’m taking my own advice from Week #13:

My Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: How are you doing out there? (For real!) Are you keeping it together? Falling apart? Feeling overwhelmed? Sad? Angry? (That would be me on occasion!) Have you figured out a way to start something new in this “new normal” — or are you struggling to just get your pants on in the morning? Is there anything I can do to help or encourage or celebrate with you?  Because…and this is true…I believe in you!

Spread Happyness this week…and tell me how you’re doing!

4/10/20 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Week #290 – Cheers to all the Happyness Spreaders!

Greetings, Tribe — Happy and Healthy Friday to you All!

I have to be honest…I had my choice of two posts this week. My first one was dark. Never before (I thought to myself) could I remember starting a month and not knowing how it would end…

…except then I remembered September 2001.

…and April 2014.

We are living in unprecedented and uncertain times. We don’t know how this month will end. What life will look like. Or how we will get back to “normal.” (Whatever “normal” will be from now on.)

But one thing is for certain…the time will pass, and each day we will make a decision:

To spread fear…or to Spread Happyness.

I deleted my first post and took my own advice instead:

MY Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Cheers to all the Happyness Spreaders! I want to thank all of you who are using social media to Spread Happyness during this incredibly stressful and uncertain time. Those who are trying to ease the tension, lighten the burden, or loosen the fear…if even for a moment (or a meme)! You are the candles for others when their own lights fade or flicker…thank you for keeping it positive, keeping it real, and for keeping the laughs coming!

Spread Happyness — Cheers to all the Happyness Spreaders!

4/3/20 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com