Happy, happy to you! ????
Although I’m a mostly happy person, sometimes life isn’t happy and working through the unhappiness is it’s own soulful journey. I’ve come to believe that these moments are when we find out the most about our inner core–sometimes it’s dark, sometimes it’s hopeful, and sometimes it cries needing the comfort of people who love us.
The past couple of weeks after losing my aunt, the one that really stepped up after my mom passed away 15 years ago, has hit me harder than I was prepared for. I knew we were close but am realizing how much of an anchor she was for me.
Then there was some annoyance the same week with a guy I was seeing that lives out of state that added to my sadness–emphasis on the word was.
This was my second big loss in seven months — Tater was the first in April and my heart is still grieving him.
Some days I wake up feeling like I need to make myself put one foot in front of the other–everything takes a little more effort. And that’s okay because it’s part of the grief dance.
Sometimes when you deal with unhappiness, like grief, you just have to remind yourself to breathe and keep taking baby steps.
Having said that, your kindness and positive, happy spirits are helping my heart heal.
When I say I love each of you ❤️, I really mean it.
You are part of my soul and that makes me smile regardless of what’s going on–even when a few tears stain my face.
I’m grateful for you more than words can express.
☕☕☕
Also, as part of my baby steps, of this new e-pub, if you love what we are doing you can support our efforts to make the world a happier place by Buying Us a Cup of Coffee. Your help is greatly appreciated … and starts smiles.
Wishing you peace, luv & lots of smiles,
Pamela Gail 
???? Miracle, the dog found after Hurricane Dorian, has a new forever home
???? 100K Holiday Cards for Troops
Your mission should you choose to accept it this week is to:
Do a RAK for yourself. ????
It’s a busy stressful pre-holiday week.
Give yourself permission to take a bubble bath,
sit in silence for 15 or more minutes, take a nap or get a massage.
I’m on my HOA Board and we had to meet to work on the budget.
All I’ll say, “joy, joy,” with a wink ???? — if you’ve been on an HOA Board you know what I mean.
When I got my usual Chai Tea Latte they were sharing some of their Peppermint Hot Chocolate samples–it was delicious and made me smile.
If your local Starbucks offers samples, I’d highly recommend this Smile Starter.
Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays in America–some like this holiday the most because it’s all about friends, family, food and football–not necessarily in that order.
However, sometimes when we spend lots of extra time with family–especially those we don’t see very often–it can zap a little of your happiness.
Practical Happiness Principle One:
Happiness Zappers Can Be Managed
Unless you spend the holiday alone, someone will probably say or do something that earns them the title of happiness zapper.
The first step to manage happiness zappers is to identify what type of zapper it is:
- Unhappiness–usually results because of life changing events like deaths, illness, family estrangements or job losses
- Stress–happens when you have to many To-Do’s and fewer hours
- Chaos–can result with the last minute rush to get that holiday meal served
- Annoyances–these are those things you won’t remember a year from now unless it’s a moment worthy of laughs at future holiday gatherings
Practically speaking, the last three zappers are moments that will be gone so they really aren’t worth giving too much of your energy to. You just manage the situation the best you can in the moment.
You can try to alleviate stress and chaos with better planning, but it’s still going to be a sprint to the get food to the table if you’re cooking. One option, meet up at a restaurant–but make a reservation.
Annoyances, well, they just happen. They happen more when you’re feeling stressed because of chaos. So, try to let them roll off your shoulder.
Unhappiness usually requires heart healing. We may be trying to adjust to a new normal that we didn’t desire. We may feel pangs of sadness. It’s important to honor these feelings but try not to let them solely define your holiday. Holiday traditions evolve–old traditions, even beloved ones, eventually become nostalgic memories that we cherish. In their place, new memories are created that will one day become cherished nostalgic memories too.
Saturday, November 23
- Eat a Cranberry Day
- National Adoption Day
- National Cashew Day
- National Espresso Day
Monday, November 25
- National Parfait Day
- Shopping Reminder Day
- Blasé Day
Tuesday, November 26
- Cake Day
Wednesday, November 27
- National Tie One On Day
- Pins and Needles Day
- Jukebox Day
- Craft Jerky Day
- Bavarian Cream Pie Day
Thursday, November 28
- French Toast Day
- Make Your Own Head Day
- Red Planet Day
- Thanksgiving
Friday, November 29
- Black Friday
- Small Business Saturday
- Buy Nothing Day
- Square Dance Day
- You’re Welcome Day
- Day of Listening
- Electronic Greetings Day
- Maize Day
- Throw Out Your Leftovers Day
- Chocolates Day
- Lemon Cream Pie Day
- Sinkie Day
Are you looking for the perfect gifts for your happy friends?
— 5 options ranging in price $9 – $48 including domestic US shipping —
and other swag
are smile starting gifts.
A little kindness from person to person
is better than a vast love for all humankind.
~ Richard Dehmel
If you love what we’re doing and it makes you smile, please consider supporting SOHP Weekly – for the cost of a cup of coffee. While we deliver our digital pub for free to your inbox each week, we hope you’ll consider making a one-time gift of $3, or a monthly offering of that same amount. Your support helps us make the world a happier place.
Written by Pamela Gail
Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Society of Happy People in 1998.
The Society is grounded on Pamela’s four key Practical Happiness Principles:
Pamela identified 31 Types of Happiness that are on the SOHP App Happiness Counter to make it easier to recognize moments of happiness.
Pamela also plans and organizes the Society of Happy People's annual happiness celebrations:
She's also a speaker, trainer, and author.
A few of her personal smile starters include her monthly book club, yoga, traveling and meeting new happy people.