Happy Sunday, Journeyer!
Have you ever considered your genius or thought about how brilliant you are?
So many of us don’t, but one of this week’s happy highlights has me pondering that very topic.
Yesterday I answered the phone to hear this shriek of exclamation from my sister, “You’re a mini genius!”
A few hours earlier I had offered her a tip to help resolve a computer problem.
Little did I know that the information I imparted would evoke such a powerfully delightful response from her.
My heart smiled as she told me how the suggested online search phrase had led her right to the troubleshooting page that would fix her problem, pronto.
As I reflected on how frustrated she had been and how much of an impact my sharing had had on her, I thought about You, Journeyer.
How many times in the course of your day do you offer people advice, help them with a problem, or give them insight they didn’t have?
How many times in your life have you unknowingly shared something simple that had such a profound affect on another’s life?
That makes you a mini genius, too!
There are many expressions, but the one that comes to mind is Plato’s “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
All it takes to make another happy is simple courtesy, time, and energy.
In a few short hours this genius will be happily surrounded by the smell of Christmas cookies baking and the company of a girlfriend who’s coming over for a little festive fun.
One of my favorite holiday memories is of the times my kids joined me in the kitchen. It’s been a good many years since I would sit them on the counter with a bowl and a spatula.
I remember with great fondness Beauty and her friend joining me for a marathon day of Christmas cookie making. Beauty might tell you that I burned out the two teenagers, but I’ll always treasure the visions of those flour-spattered shirts, faces, and counters.
Somehow the process is so much fun with someone else!
I’ve been so busy with The Healing through The Holidays series, decorating, and checking my list twice, that I didn’t think about my holiday baking until last minute.
Reminiscing about those days of old, I envisioned recreating those holiday treasures with my daughter, a hope that bordered on expectation, which led to disappointment when she said she wasn’t available.
I’m working on that, Journeyer, and recognizing when my hopes and dreams cross that line. I’m hoping my daughter will be able to join me another day for a batch of gingerbread but in the meantime I’m excited to share another way we strut our genius.
Rather than let disappoint deter me or ruin my day, I decided to take a different approach and called a friend who has been struggling with The Empty Nest this year.
She was overjoyed with the invitation.
[Tweet theme=”basic-white”]A genius finds way to solve mini and enormous problems.[/Tweet]
This week’s Happy Happens column is one of the ways I believe we can experience joy by changing where we put our focus.
Though I’ve had a rough go of remembering to pay homage to those fleeting moments during the last few weeks, I’m proud to report that I’ve got my happy groove back on.
My week’s happy came in these forms…
Warren offering to tag along to help me finish the Christmas shopping…
Wrapping those gifts…
Tying handmade ribbons and bows onto the packages…
Twinkling lights glinting at me as I walk through the house…
Frasier fir scent wafting from room to room…
Big Guy offering to help me assemble a new stand for our new television…
A breakthrough with one of my new students who was having a rough go of it before coming to me…
Listening to my youngest students singing Christmas carols at the end of their school day…
Hearing my rescued pooch snoring from the new doggie bed she loves…
Fresh white snow…
Taking the time to meditate–daily!
Going to the doc so I can get to the bottom of my ongoing fatigue…
A natural remedy tip that might help cure my psoriasis…
Morning commute conversations with my sis…
Taking the time to read one of my favorite blogger’s posts…
Freshly washed sheets…a memory foam topper…and my winter comforter…
Warm floors on my feet…
Personal growth and insight…
Taking the time to write another piece for my Healing and the Two Sides of series. If you missed it, find out how you can use your calendar to heal.
And You, Journeyer, all of you who have reached out to share your stories with me on social media or through this website.
Thank you for shining brightly and for sharing your brilliance with me and the rest of the world!
We’d love to read about the fleeting moment(s) that fed your week’s happy, Journeyer. Share something in a comment below?
I’m off to get ready to make Mexican wedding balls, along with monster, sugar, and peanut butter cookies!
Until next time, yours in hope, healing, and happiness,
