Blog Archives

Beach Day!

6/30/2018

Daily Happy:

Beach Day! That is always a happy for me. It brings me back to a time when I was small and my family would all gather at Beach Meadows beach, for BBQs, swimming and fun. My parents, aunts and uncles all seemed to be quite relaxed during these outings. As an adult, I totally understand why.

Lately George and I like going to Cleveland beach. It is not as crowded as Queensland, but it is just a beaut of a beach. It is a happy place, and is not too far from where we live. When we were in Cape Breton, we we go to Big Glace Bay Beach, Dominion Beach and of course one of our favourite Morien.

I love when the temperature is hot and the beach is just right. It is nice to be able to just relax and enjoy the wonderfulness that Nova Scotia can offer.

So I am going to grab my towel, apply some sunscreen and gather some provisions to make it a true beach day.

Enjoy your day Everyone!

Be Present! Be Mindful! Just Be Happy!

Happy Does It! ;o)

Rain Dancers

6/29/2018

Daily Happy:

I woke up this morning and a thought came into my mind. I wondered who was this first human to dance in the rain? It must have been quite terrifying for the first person to dance in the rain. The primitive way of thinking, or even just our instinctive nature to avoid rain would have been a great barrier to overcome. I know that logically, there had to be opportunities for walking, running and even sleeping in the rain. But to dance in the rain, is something quite different.

When you walk in the rain, you are doing it out of necessity. There is a point 'a' and a point 'b', and you need to or want to get to these points. Running in the rain is pretty much the same thing, point 'a' to point 'b'. You may choose and love doing these things in the rain, but there is a purpose for you being in the rain.

When you choose to dance in the rain, you do it because you 'need to intrinsically' or 'want to selfishly'. You are accepting the force of mother nature without fear. You will get cold, damp and wet, but those things don't matter. You will feel the rain wash over you, and you don't even notice. You are not disgusted by this action, you embrace it. You go with it, wherever it takes you. It is really quite fun!

Years ago, a friend and I were outside Sobey's waiting to purchase concert tickets to see 'The Tragically Hip.' During our wait, we literally waited through the tail-end of a hurricane. In the parking lot of Sobey's she and I(cause we were getting wet anyways) spread our arms and danced in the rain. We laughed so freaking hard, and believe it or not, we were both very much sober. If I recall correctly, we could have been put in the prune section, we were just drenched. Good Times. :)

When I was younger, the street that I lived was a hill. When there was a big rain storm there would always be this large amount of water running down the street. My brothers and I would go out and play in the run-off. It was neat to see how mush mother nature loved drenching the neighbourhood. Plus it was another way to get us outside when it was raining. Bonus for my mother, I guess.

If you do decided to give this a try, or try it again sometime this summer, always remember to let go and laugh. Also, try to have a nice warm cup of cocoa, coffee, tea or whatever your pleasure when you get inside.

Be Present. Be Mindful. Be Happy.

Happy Does It! ;o)

Free Stuff

6/28/2018

Daily Happy:

The most important thing to know in business is one word "retention." Customer retention to be exact. No customers= no revenue & no revenue = no business. Pretty simple equation, anyone can figure out. Think of customer retention as guaranteed income, and by retaining those customers, the company can go to any bank and say, "Hey,we have this many contracts/customers, we can guarantee this amount of income, please give us money."

What most people fail to realize, is their importance in the business process. You are the driving force that allows a business to succeed or fail. You are the tools that businesses need to acquire and maintain the best service that they can provide. How you may ask? Well it is simple; your opinions matter. If there is service or a product that met or exceeded your expectations; informing the company of such satisfaction, will better able the company to try and replicate that service/product. But if the service/product was less than satisfactory or sub-standard, again, inform the company of your displeasure and what is the driving force behind the dis-satisfaction. This information is invaluable. Companies can use this information to increase service or decrease service; fire incompetent employees; promote undervalued employees; and focus their time,energy and money into becoming the best company for you, the consumer. It truly is the best gauge as to how well a business is doing.

You may ask how this is a daily happy for me, well I will tell you. I am a person who loves to compliment and complain. I have no problem telling someone when the service was exceptional, or terrible. I also have no problem contacting companies to either compliment or complain about their products. The results of my labour of love: I get a lot of free stuff. Today for example, I received two coupons in the mail for some frozen products that George and I love. One coupon is for free product and the other is $1.00 off. It is about $8.00 in total. Through my course of keeping companies in check, I have received free cases of beer with coupons for more beer; free Nestle Ice Cream Cones; $30.00 of coupons for Crayola products; 20 free bottles of the Vita-Water plus coupons; $21.00 cheque because the deodorant leaked onto my dresser; $10 for chocolate bars; Free coupons for Pilsbury products; numerous times I have received free products from Sobey's because of scanning errors; and don't even ask how many hundreds of dollars I have saved on phone service (I am sure there are notes about me lol); free meals at restaurants...and so on. I love free. Free makes me happy, and make me feel appreciated.

The daily happy is about free stuff, 'cause that is kind of cool, but it also about standing up for what is right and doing something about it. Too many people say nothing and allow for sub-standard practices to continue. I know my worth, and that is all the ammunition I need. I don't go into places expecting horrible things; I go into places and expect to be treated with kindness and human decency. That's it. You shouldn't expect anything less either. You matter.

So, if someone does something great, or their mannerism is note-worthy, make sure you let the person or persons who have the power(manager/assistant manager) know so that their efforts don't get lost. If someone is terrible, again let someone know. Retraining could be needed, or a healthy letting go.

Speak up. Be heard. You matter. Your money votes every time you spend it.

This turned out a little longer than intended, but it was necessary to empty my head.

Be Present. Be Mindful. Be Happy. You Matter.

Happy Does It! ;o)

Keep Cool

6/27/2018

Daily Happy:

I think that this one might be something a little controversial, especially for those who think I am being a bit snobby, but I don't care. Today's happy is air-conditioning.

Living in Nova Scotia one only needs to go to the beach to get cooled down, but for folks like myself, where that option doesn't happen everyday, having an air-conditioner makes my life a little more tolerable. It is a great investment if you are someone like myself. I don't like too much heat, and on the flip side, I don't like too much cold. I am, what you might refer to as a 'baby bear' fan when it comes to temperature.

My air-conditioner by no means makes my apartment freezing cold, but it does cool it down. And that is what is making me happy today.

My work places throughout the hospitals for the most part had air-conditioners. When I worked on the Chemotherapy floor, 11VIC, there were air-conditioners for the patients in the treatment rooms, but for the lowly clerical staff, Nada. So you had to dress for the heat, which sucked. It also made it difficult to work. We kept a thermometer on our desk and had to follow Occupational Health and Safety Regulations regarding breaks and water consumption. It didn't matter how much water you drank, you never needed to pee, you'd sweat it all out.

So perspective is what I bring to this happy. I know that I hate being too hot, and anything that keeps me cool is a-okay in my books.

One more thing, just a memory from my relationship with George. When we lived in Cape Breton we would go to the mall to cool down. I can not tell you how many times George and I walked through Mayflower Mall. After that, a quick stop at the Tasty Treat for hot fudge sundaes. A little thought which brings me happiness and joy.

So...this weekend....Stay cool.

Be Present. Be Mindful. Be Happy.

Happy Does It! ;o)

Loving thoughts...Mail

6/26/2018

Daily Happy:

This might sound a little old fashioned, but my happy for today is mail. Not the kind that asks you to pay them for services rendered, but the kind that is true sentiments of love, concern and community.

This week George and I received a Thank-you card for a wedding that we attended in May. It was such a joy and surprise to receive. It is not very common anymore to get something that is pen-to-paper, but it is awesome. I know sending e-mails might be more expeditious, but having something physical in your hand is personal. And, it definitely makes an impression

Every company out there is trying to get their customers to switch to paperless billing. I get that. My business background doesn't allow me to see anything but the cost/benefits of online accounts. Online billing is easier for the company, and for the customers. That being said, I still think that there is nothing like holding a piece of paper in between your fingers.

I especially love giving and receiving cards. Whether it is a birthday card, Mother's Day Card or even...dare I say....a Christmas card; just being thought of, is something that I hold dear to my heart.

SO...get out your pens and paper; write to someone you love and send it in the mail.

Be Patient. Be Mindful. Be Happy.

Happy Does It! ;o)

Rapidly Streaming

6/25/2018

Daily Happy:

Have you ever sat down on a rock by a stream or river and just listened to the water flow? My happy for today is that sound.

It could be either the rushing sound of the rapids or the trickling sound of a stream both have calming effect for me. I could just sit and listen for hours and not think about anything else.

If you haven't done this before, perhaps you should take sometime this summer and just see if it is something to your liking.

Just a thought.

Be Present. Be Mindful. Be Happy.

Happy Does It!

Cupcakes

6/24/2018

Daily Happy:

Sweet and scrumptious, always satisfying, today's happy is...cupcakes.

These little morsels of yummy can come in many, many flavours and sizes, and if you get a good one, it will defy and defeat the saying "you can't have your cake and eat it too." With cupcakes, anything is possible.

Now I am a vegetarian, so some flavours of cupcakes I won't eat. But I can well imagine how yummy the bacon flavoured ones would be. It is just that perfect combo of sweet and salty. I would rather have salted chocolate caramel, with sweetened bits of salted almonds on top.

It is almost a shame how easy cupcakes are to make. It takes no time at all, and at the end you end up with two dozen mini-cakes. I don't know if this is a good thing or bad. I sometimes find myself compromising my integrity by eating more than just one.

So here is a question: what kind of cupcake eater are you? Are you the type that bites down on the entire cupcake to eat it? ~Or~ Do you break it in half, putting the half on top of the icing? ~Or~ Do you break off the bottom, eat the bottom, then proceed to eat the top? ~Or~ Are you just in it for the icing? Whatever you flavour, whatever you pleasure in eating it, cupcakes are a great way for you to get that pop of cake without eating the entire cake. They allow you to have hand-size portions AND...super bonus, no dishes. All you have to do is discard the little bit of gift wrap that they come in.

A perfect little treat! Cupcakes...yum.

Be Present. Be Mindful. Be Happy!

Happy Does It! ;o)

Just a little Photo

6/23/2018

Daily Happy:

Photographs. Whether it is a picture taken with film or a photo taken digitally, the memories captured by this technology is my happy for today.

I love looking through photographs, new and old, to reminisce over days from the past. Photographs can take you away on trips; to other countries; or to your best friends house; photographs will swell up waves of memories to be regaled amongst persons that you love.

Social Media makes easy to take pictures with your phone and share them with friends and family, allowing you to include them in you adventures/misadventures or what-have-you.

All those stories to tell, and so many ears to hear them. If you find something interesting, take a picture, share it, and allow for the rest of the world to enjoy it as well.

Be Present. Be Mindful. Be Happy. Be Snappy!

Happy Does It! ;o)

Kindness and True

6/22/2018

Daily Happy:

Kindness. Really this should be a no-brainer, but sometimes you need to remind people to be kind.

There is always something nice about someone being kind either to you or to someone else. Some of us were taught and some of us already knew; everyone needs a little kindness in their lives.

Kindness could be something as nice as holding a door open, paying for the coffee of the person behind you in the drive through, or even just sitting, without judgment, and listening to someone when they are going through something difficult. Showing kindness re-enforces that there is still some good in this world.

Kindness doesn't cost anything. It doesn't interfere with or take too much time. It is something that you can do at any time. If you are a results-oriented person, kindness will pay you back ten-fold, and your kindness can and will make someone else feel a little better.

Kindness will also make you feel better. The more kindness that you show, the better you feel. The better you feel, the more kindness you show and so on...

I am aware that there are people out there that will take advantage of your kindness and exploit it for their own selfish needs. Don't become discouraged. Try not to become cynical. It know that it really sucks when someone uses you, and fouls something so genuine and pure. Just remember that their behaviour shows more about them than it does you. If anything, they need kindness more than anyone else.

Years ago a friend of mine and George's, who lives in Ontario, sent a notebook to me in the mail. Completely unexpected. Inside the book was a little sticky note. On the note was written "Happy Random Acts of Kindness Day." This notebook was one that I saw in a bookstore and I commented on it in a status because it quoted L.O.T.R. Gandalf: "Not all those who wander are lost." I loved the quote and I cherish the notebook. I still have the sticky note too.

Remember all of your random acts of kindness, or someone else's random acts of kindness, and if you can, try to pay-it-forward, and keep the kindness ring moving.

Be Present. Be Mindful. Be Happy!

Remember:

Happy Does It!

Hugs

6/21/2018

Daily Happy:

Hugs. Today's happy is hugs. Bear Hugs, Square Hugs, Soft Hugs, Gentle Hugs. Whatever your pleasure.

There is something very primal about hugs. When we receive hugs our whole body relaxes, and our body goes into a euphoric state, even if it is only for a few milliseconds. When you are the giver of hugs, you might think that squeezing someone would tense your body up, but it doesn't. Again, it relaxes us.

This simple gesture can mean the world to someone who feels lonely or depressed. The act of caring and holding someone in your arms, shows more about your character and the person you are, and a bonus, it makes you feel good as well. It is more than the squeeze, it is the touch. That feeling that someone cares about you enough to touch you, to connect with you, to be with you.

On occasion, you may see on the news people on the streets with signs that say "Free Hugs." I always wonder if they are doing this for themselves or for others. Either way, there is nothing wrong with both choices.

So, I can not hug everyone, but when I do see you, I will hug you. It is something that I do.

Remember:

Be Present. Be Mindful. Be Happy.

Life is too short.

Happy Does It! ;o)

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My name is Jaime, spelled with an "im" not "mi". I never question myself. I have always loved writing. I do not have much to say about myself. I just want everyone to know that they are not alone. There is nothing worse in life than feeling as if you are by yourself.

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