happiness
Happiness, defined; things that help you find happiness, keep it, and share it with others.
Italian Intuition
It was an unusually warm evening for March when Lauren had a nudge to walk to her favourite used bookstore. She was no stranger to following her intuition and had a feeling there was something special waiting for her there. Little did she know that it would lead her on the journey of her lifetime!
By Layla Roberts5 years ago in Motivation
Lightbulb Moments
My mom found “Mr Right” when I was ten years old. She was enchanted. I was not. He thought I should laugh at his jokes as generously as my mother did. I thought he acted like a ten-year-old boy in a thirty -year-old man costume. I was not that amused. Their first summer together the decided to take and extended honeymoon and I got shipped off to my “new” Grandpa’s farm to meet and bond with the extended family I never had …or wanted. Oh joy!
By Kaydie Paschall5 years ago in Motivation
How a little black book changed my life forever
A person's life can change drastically in a matter of seconds. That is exactly what happened to me. Right after college I moved into a bachelor apartment building above a store in the middle of downtown. Rent was cheap, there weren't many amenities other than an awesome clawfoot bathtub and a gas stove that I would not trade for the world. It was a three story walk up right above a tattoo parlour. Tight knit community of mostly college students and working single men. Right across from me lived a short older fellow named Thomas. Every morning I would l see him leave his unit and slowly make his way down the stairs, he would walk down the street to the public library. Sometimes when I was doing some work at the library studing for a test or using the computers there I would see him sitting in a corner reading the newspaper. I always found him interesiting and owuld always smile and say hello. After a few years of living in the same uniot I noticed his health had started to deteriorate. He seemed like a very private person and not once did I see a relative or anyone as a matter of fact ever visit him. He would leave notes for the mail person in a scribbled hand writting informing them if a tenant had moved and was no longer living at that address. I could hear him having coughing fits in evening and in the morrning though our buildings thin walls and I always worried about his well being. I guess living away from my own family he reminded me of my grandfather, with whom I had an excellent relationship and loved very dearly. So one day I mustered up the confidence to knock on his door,. after all I had made a big batch of soup and I only had myself to feed, so I knocked on his door and offered him a bowl. This became a routine between us, and each evening when I prepared a meal, I would simply knock on his door and leave a plastic contained full of whatever I had made myself to eat. After all my mom raised me with the belief that one should if possible always share a meal. I had just started a job and money was tight, but I felt the necessity to share this with my new friend whoo oalways thanked me and would knock on the door the next morning on his way to the library leaving me a note saying thank you with the empty container. One day my life changed forever. I came home to see the corner pullign out a stretcher with my pal in it. The following moring my life changed forever, for the landlord knocked on my door and told me that while clewaning his unit, my neighbour had left me a little black book with my name owritten on it. It had his memoirs and a note that said, thank you for feeding me for all these years and sharing what little you had, as a token of appreciation I would like to leave you this book, we did not have much time to talk, but in this book you will learn about me, and as a token of appreciaiton I would like to leave you this, in the back of the notebook was a chequere written to my name in the sum of $20,000. and the not on it read' a small kind gesture can make a man's life, thank you for aknowlegeding me".
By Andres Gnecco5 years ago in Motivation
Forgotten
The old doorbell chimes as she enters my shop. Her frequent visits are a welcome pleasure that has come to enhance my day and hers. Neatly adorned with classic clothing, her simple perfume whisps me as she walks to the used book section. Not engaging much in conversation, I intuitively know our love of the past connects us.
By Amatha Leyba5 years ago in Motivation
I've got good news
What I am about to say will not come as a shock. Bad things happen every day in this world. All you must do is look at the news and you will hear about acts of violence, horrific accidents, scandals, and controversies. Now, what I am about to say next may surprise you a little. Good things happen every day in this world. You may have to look around a little bit before you hear about them but trust me, they do happen. If you wish to do so you can read stories about people helping others, feel-good stories about adorable animals, breath taking works of art, people celebrating their great accomplishments and other everyday stories that will have you smiling. There is one thing I often wonder about when it comes to the news. Why are the negative topics highlighted while the positive topics are hidden? Why is it that to read a negative or tragic story all you need to do is look at the front page but to read a positive story you have search for it? I wonder if we put the positive stories on the front page, would our would moods improve? It is so easy to have a negative view of the world when we are constantly reading and viewing depressing and discouraging content. Sometimes positive content will make an appearance on the news, but it is almost never the lead story. Now, this is going to be even harder to believe but I have discovered that this world is a pretty great place. Yes, bad things happen all the time and I am not denying that. However, there is so much good in this world that goes overlooked. It is hard to see this world in a positive light when all the uplifting stories are buried underneath the tragic ones. Often, I see the negative tone of the news have an impact on the mood of those around me. It is easy to feel angry or hopeless after watching the news highlight everything that is wrong with the world. I have seen people vent their negative feelings about what they saw on the news online and in person. At my retail job I have had customers that I have never seen before venting their political opinions to me and my coworkers. It is an awkward position to be in. I much rather people tell me about the great things that are happening in their lives or the lives of others. I do not know why we continue to watch the news on a regular basis when it has a clear negative impact on our overall wellbeing. I do agree that is important to stay informed with what is going on in the world but there needs to be a balance with the stories that are being put on the front pages. The lead story on the news should be an encouraging one at least every other day. I think that this would benefit people more than even I can imagen. I also know this is not something that can change overnight. This will take a lot of time and effort. I think that the best place to start is to bring the positive stories into the spotlight the best we can. When you see a positive story on social media consider sharing it. Tell others about the positive things in your life and ask them for the good things that are happening in theirs. Now, I want to make something clear there are negative things happening in this world that we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to. There are many serious problems that we need to be aware of and that we need to change. However, we cannot forget to shine a light on the positive stories that are happening. I bet we would start noticing positive changes in ourselves and others if we gave the positive stories and the negative stories the amount of publicity.
By Christina Epperly5 years ago in Motivation
The Winning Streak
I had never won anything in my life. Ever. My baseball team lost every game (except that one, by default, when the other team didn’t show). I came in third place in the office lottery for a Cancun vacation. I even lost the bid for the project manager position, at work, and I was the only one in consideration! Well, technically, they canceled the project, but it would have meant a substantial bonus so, yeah, I lost.
By MeLinda McClaine5 years ago in Motivation
The Effect Of The Butterfly
The Effect Of The Butterfly by Devin McKenney “Yoo Dear Moleskine!Right on time”, I excitedly thought as the song by Jay Elect and Kendrick blared through my EarPods from my phones shuffle mode.This song always relaxes me and makes me feel like everything gonna be alright . The beat and melody ride like a soothing river and the LYRICS! (Insert head blown emoji ). This is the Perfect song to say ,”Man Im over this…(Insert poop emoji haha). Which I literally am as I walk in Midtown pandemic struck New York…Live from 2020. Haha Well if you are reading these lines I guess you understand the gist of my state of mind. Anyways my current location in space and time is a rainy New York day on Broadway and my boss just told he has to let me go for the moment because the pandemic has caused us to lose almost 70% of our business. Just so you the reader knows IM THE TOP brick oven pizza chef in NYC (at least I like to think so haha). To make a long story short since we had to shut down indoor dining to our family style Brick Oven Pizza restaurant earlier this year lets just say “Business Sucks!”, and now I got let go until further notice…(Insert hmmm emoji).”Yooo! Can I just write this year over!” I think loudly to myself.Like really write it over like that Ashton Kutcher movie'The Butterfly Effect’ where he was able to rewrite his history in his notebook and it happened.That would be amazing!(well except the migraines he got afterwards he can keep those haha). All of these thoughts run to and fro in my head as I make my way down a rainy Broadway ave on my way to get a drink at this New Orleans style outdoor restaurant.Sheesh Lord knows I need one now. The streets are really empty compared to the normal hordes of people that usually crowd these same sidewalks in normal times. Still a lot of people though might I add “This is still New York City by the way”, but nowhere near the same. I would like to add one more thing, the air quality is surprisingly fresh,crisp and beautiful for New York. Maybe its partly because everyone has a mask on and thus everybody's breath is not mixing and parlaying together in the atmospheric mix haha. My fiancee always rolls her eyes at me when I say that but on the low I know she agrees and so do you my dear reader just think about it haha. Back to the mission at hand I am now one block from my destination on this cool rainy Late spring. Just walked pass Times Square which now reminds me of a postcard from one of those dystopian future movies haha. Man I’ll be happy when this is over and we can get back to funky, crowded but surprisingly dope pre-pandemic NYC. “Hey Raul what’s poppin my dude!”,as I reach the outdoor bar window while removing my EarPods. “Hey what’s up my friend!”, says Raul as we do a gloved fist bump which seems to be the new way of greeting.” You want your regular?.” says Raul. “ Yes indeed but I need it extra extra strong today as I just found out I’m on forced leave from the restaurant and who knows when or where the next money bag is coming from and your next free brick oven pizza haha”, I chuckled at Raul. “I’m sorry to hear that my good brother”, Raul says with concerned 2020 eyes. “In that case first round on me” , he continues. As Raul passed me the drink through the window I caught a glimpse of a mysterious trenched coat gentleman out the corner of my eye take a seat at one of the outside booths. As I take my drink to one of the stools I take a look at the guy. He is dressed with an expensive looking trench coat with a brown Borsolino rimmed hat ,a umbrella and a glow that definitely reenforced my previous description of mysterious....ooor maybe it was the mask. Well if that’s the case I guess everyone looks mysterious these days because everywhere I turn people are masked up, some even 2 or 3. Didn’t realize I was staring at the dude and quickly turned away as we catch eye contact. Not one to be in the streets staring at dudes haha but this fella had a strong energy with him. I take a sip of my strong drink which is a double shot of rum and coca-cola . As I intend on taking the edge off my issues there was a whole board meeting going on in my head. “ What is my fiancée going to say?Do I need unemployment? How much is in my savings account?When is this $h#t going to be over?How is anyone going to taste my 5 star brick oven pizza?Ugh why am I sick of zoom parties already?How are we going to buy this house? No lie I had all these thoughts before the cup returned to the table after my first sip.I sat there zoned out staring into the block by block halfway empty midtown abyss as I contemplate the next few weeks. “ What am I gonna do!?”, “again rewrite this year already”, as I look blankly into space.I suddenly realize my drink is finished.Then I hear Rauls voice from behind me, “Hey my friend is that all you having? What else can I get you?” “You got $20000 dollars I can use to reboot my life. I said sarcastically but with a tone of humor. “ Haha wouldn’t that be nice” he laughed. “Right!? ,I laughed back, “ Yea I’ll take another Raul”.Just then I see the mysterious guy in the trench stand up. He almost looks like a 50’s corporate advertising executive slash account collecting mobster hitman with a 2020 era mask. He actually looks familiar now.It’s funny how you still can recognize certain people even with a mask. Upon 2nd glance maybe I don’t recognize him. He then turns to me breaking the midtown silence with a few cars honking in the background and says, “ You ever heard the one about the butterfly and caterpillar? I turn around with the most perplexed look, “No my man I don’t believe I have”. “ Pardon me I don’t intend to be all up in your business but I see you over here with that contemplating is this my life look hahaha” , he laughed deep but softly under the mask as I slightly chuckle because he’s right. He continues “Well there was once a caterpillar who spent his days walking about searching for leaves to eat.He always complained “ Why do I have to drag these legs all about all day long ?, “ and it takes me forever to get up to the best leaves higher in the trees” the caterpillar lamented. “ Who wrote this struggle life for me , I wish I could just rewrite it”. “ I would be so fly...I could get where I need to go easily and have access to the best leaves Marvelous Mother Earth has on her exquisite menu”, the caterpillar smiled. Just then I am pulled out of the trees back to New York from fantasy land as Raul places my new drink in front of me. “ Here you go my friend let me know if you need anything else bro” Raul says as he swiftly goes back into the bar. “ Thank-you Raul!”, I say behind him. The mysterious 50s dressed dude was not even phased by the interruption as he continues with the story of the caterpillar. “ So later that night caterpillar falls into a deep slumber and dreams he is inside a cozy relaxing room with a notepad writing the perfect version of himself where his life would be full of happiness and ease”. The caterpillar enjoys the best rejuvenating sleep he has ever had after dragging 6 legs around all day. He sleeps and sleeps and then suddenly awakens. “What!It Worked!”,as the Butterfly smiles and flies away. Meanwhile I give this guy the most blank New York City look and wonder to myself, “That’s it!”. The man continues, “I say all that to say, I think I have the help you need to get that look out of your eyes,” as he pulls a small black book out of his inner pocket. “ Take this and rewrite your life like that caterpillar did” as he hands me a pen and book that reminds me of the small black journal everyone’s grandmother used for all her phone numbers and addresses back in the day.He looks at me over the top bridge of his mask with familiar eyes that I swear I know and says , “ Seriously write the perfect version of your life in this black book and take the utmost care of it. “ Promise me one thing...when you get everything you wrote you must give this black book to someone else and share the same story I did with you.” , “ You must share it because greed is the destroyer of blessings”, he says as I took and opened the book. I sarcastically say “ Oh you got a magic Ashton Kutcher book huh”?He smirked quietly beneath the mask. “Well I’m gonna rewrite this story right now”’ as I take the pen and begin writing. “I can’t believe this dude playing with me with this imaginary stuff with all I got going on”’ I silently annoyingly think to myself.I continued out loud while I wrote. ..$20000 dollars, my own 5 star brick oven pandemic proof restaurant, my own recipe book, a fresh brimmed 50s style borsillino hat, a house for my fiancée and I ... At that moment I realized the guy wasn’t saying anything and I look up and see the mysterious story telling man was almost a block down the street with his umbrella up in the rain. “ Hey!” ,I shouted, “ You forgot your magic butterfly book as I jumped up leaving Raul’s tip and payment. I jogged to catch up with the guy as he swiftly and gingerly walked down the street of this traffic less NYC street. He makes a quick right around the corner of the block as I shout, “ Hey Man!”.
By Devin McKenney5 years ago in Motivation
Chasing Happiness
“Please don’t call here again!, Click.” I had made my last call for the day. As required by the office manager, we are only allowed to stop calling once we hit forty “Not interested” responses a day; However, today was Friday. To pump up morale, we are “gifted” a half day and only responsible for twenty not interested. Unfortunately, most of the offices we were calling on were also in on the half day morale booster, so it took til exactly 3:47pm to hit my quota.
By Josh Massanova5 years ago in Motivation
Of hearts and minds
I didn’t choose to be born but here I am living this thing called life. I was doing well until I was diagnosed with cancer. You know before cancer I always admired people from different walks of life. My favorite thing used to be going outside for a walk and coming across people and studying them. Most times it hurt me to see other people because their eyes would be lifeless and full of pain. That would usually leave my mind racing with the idea of having the ability to solve people's problems. But yes cancer has changed my life and I learned that being diagnosed with cancer is not the hardest part but hearing the three words you are dying is. A couple of weeks pass and there is nothing the doctors can really do for me. A social worker visits me every other day to ask me about what I would want for my make-a-wish but I didn’t want to think about It. It means that death is creeping around the corner. It means that my time is coming up. I know I said I didn’t choose to be born but I haven’t lived yet. I want to do something with my life. The social worker is very persistent though so one day she came back to my room with the CEO of make-a-wish. I was surprised to see the CEO because there was no need for him to be here or at least I thought. The CEO has a positive attitude and even manages to make me laugh once. He tells me that I can choose anything and that he will make it happen. It took me a while but after I raced back and forth with my thoughts I asked for twenty thousand dollars. The CEO was now shaken and he wondered why I asked for twenty thousand dollars but he didn’t ask. Instead, he informs me of something he has ready for me and I listen. He offers me a small black notebook and he says that if I believe enough that anything is possible. And then he hands me the book and walks off without saying another word. The room is silent again and I’m left with my own thoughts. What could this small black notebook do for me? I wondered because it looks magical and odd. It doesn’t feel and look like other notebooks. It almost feels like it gives off some sort of power. Then I realized what the CEO said before he left. He said if I believed enough anything is possible. So that night I went to bed hoping that the natures of the small black notebook would be revealed to me. The next day I woke up feeling better than usual. Then it hit me all of sudden why I wanted twenty thousand dollars and why the CEO gave me the small black notebook. The CEO knew my heart. He knew I wanted to help people. He knew that I loved watching people and he knew that it hurt me to see others suffer. He knew what I was going to ask for when he came into my room that day because he knew I had others at heart. He knew what I was all about. And now I know what I will do with the money and the notebook even if it means using my last days for others. In a few days, the small black notebook will reveal its magic and I will be ready. A few days passed and now the time has come. In the next couple of days, I will use the twenty thousand dollars to travel around the world and take people’s pain away. Whoever comes across me and whoever is in pain will magically have their life changed for the better. The small black notebook has the ability to take people’s pain away. The downside is that I cant save myself but this is my purpose. This is the life I was dealt and I am happy to lay my life for others. I did this for a few months and I saved countless lives. There was a girl on the edge of the bridge about to end her life. She reminded me of myself the first few weeks of my cancer journey, I opened the small black notebook and her pain and all her thoughts were drained from her and into the book. She breathed in and she was filled with a new life. She took a step down and came running past me with a smile and tears running down her face. And this was something I loved doing. But twenty thousand dollars could only last for so long and my time was running out. When I accepted the magic book I accepted the risk of my time on this earth going down with each life I saved and gave more time to. I did my last save of my lifetime and I decided to go to the beach for what’s coming to an end. I am sitting under the beach umbrella when I decide to open the small black notebook and I am saddened but also content to see the faces of the people I impacted. These people were now living a happy life because of the sacrifice I made and I am for once grateful to have been born. I had a purpose and I served it. I took my last breath in awe knowing the CEO was on his way to choosing his next savior, the next person who will be dealt with the small black notebook.
By Hermi Aregay5 years ago in Motivation
Bubble Gum Pink
“Damn!” I yelled. I just missed the train. The last rain standing between getting to work on time to and now getting to work late. I had just run 7 blocks and up 2 flights of stairs and still got left behind. I could feel my heart beat through my chest and hear it pounding through my ears.
By Christine Boisson5 years ago in Motivation
The little black book that fell from above
The little black book that fell from above It was a warm summer day, during the year 1910 at an orphanage in a small city in Jalisco, Mexico. Alejandro had been sitting outside on the swings thinking about what it would be like to have real brothers and sisters. He had friends who he considered to be his siblings since they had grown up together, but none of them were related to him. He heard the bell ring which meant it was suppertime; but he hesitated to go inside. He knew if he didn’t return soon that he would be forced to do chores and he would surely miss out on dinner. Food was scarce, especially living at a shelter where the food wasn’t enough for the number of kids they had. As he jumped off the swing and made his way to the big wooden doors, he said a prayer in silence. He prayed that a kind and loving family would one day adopt him, he knew they had to be out there somewhere in the world.
By Gabriel Arnold-Jecker5 years ago in Motivation
