Happy Monday! Episode 19

Five things to make you smile

Transcript

Good morning and happy Monday! If you aren’t feeling so happy today, I hope this video will help. I am about to share with you five simple activities that always make me smile.

I almost didn’t record a video this week. With all the turmoil across the United States and here in my own state of Utah, talking about these little things felt trivial. And then I thought, maybe now is exactly the time we need to be reminded of the simple joys in life. So here I go, right or wrong, I am proceeding.

My first suggestion for putting a smile on your face is to hug someone you love. I know…we are pretty limited on who we can hug right now, but if there is someone you are not socially distanced from, give them a tight squeeze. See if it doesn’t put a smile on both of your faces.

On the other hand, if you are alone right now, it is the perfect time to try out my second suggestion–crank up the tunes. Put on your favorite music…the louder the better. Bonus points if you sing along or bust out some creative dance moves!

If you’re feeling more sedate right now, suggestion three might be for us. Get a really good cup of coffee–or whatever your drink of choice is–go sit out on the porch or patio and soak in nature…her sights, sounds, smells…while you savor the deliciousness of your drink.

After a while, you may feel like taking it up a notch…especially if your drink had caffeine in it. If so, you’re ready for suggestion number four: go on a hike. You get all of the benefits of being in nature with the added endorphins that come from a good physical workout.

And finally, suggestion number 5: play with a puppy! If you can’t find a puppy nearby, watch a video of children playing with a puppy. I challenge you to watch a giggling child loving on a puppy without smiling. It’s virtually impossible!

And that’s it…my top five suggestions for an instant smile. As a bonus, I have included five more on my blog, christiehawkes.com. I’d love it if you would add your go-to mood enhancers in the comments.

And with that, I bid you farewell. Take care and keep smiling! I’ll see you next time on Happy Monday!

Plus five

  1. Watch a sunset…or sunrise.
  2. Find a beautiful view to appreciate: mountains, clouds, the ocean, artwork…something nearby that speaks to you.
  3. Watch a funny movie–one you’ve seen 100 times before!
  4. Put on your favorite outfit.
  5. Eat ice cream!

Your turn

What is something that always makes you smile?

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Shared on the GRAND Social and MLSTL.

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28 Comments

  1. Eat ice cream!! My DQ blizzard made me smile yesterday. So good.
    During one of the most difficult periods of motherhood, I looked to our beautiful Franklin Mountains each morning just to get through the day.
    This is a wonderful list of little happinesses. Something we need during these tumultuous times.

    1. I love the DQ Blizzards! Yummy. And, yes, there is something so majestic about mountains. As we drive east on one of the main roads in our neighborhood, there is a point where you have an unobstructed view of the Wasatch Mountains, and it’s breathtaking–every time–even after all these years. Take care Leslie. Keep smiling. In these tumultuous times, I wish for you safety, happiness, health, and a sense of ease.

  2. Definitely RIGHT to post. Every thing you posted makes me smile. I find joking around (even with a little sarcasm) with my family makes me laugh-and it’s very hard not to smile while laughing. Btw, you look beautiful! No….I’m NOT being sarcastic!?

    1. Thank you Cindy for the encouragement and the compliment. I agree that our family humor (however strange) always makes me smile as well. Keep it coming! I love you.

  3. All happy suggestions Christie. You and Leslie talking about DQ Blizzards reminds me that I’ve had 2 of them in the last 2 weeks, and although they were ok, they need to make one with chocolate ice cream. I had the Oreo Cheeecake and the Wonder Woman Cookie Collision, both appeared to be chocolate but wasn’t. Their site shows they have a Royal Rocky Road Trip but ours doesn’t have it locally. Maybe I can find it when we go on vacation.

    1. I’m sorry you were disappointed with your DQ Blizzards Dee. I hope you find the Royal Rocky Road on vacation. In the meantime, you better try one of the other suggestions! 🙂

  4. I saw my mum earlier this week so got to give her a big hug… (I’m 52 but live alone, so…)

    I’ve definitely been doing some comfort-TV viewing and watching things I’ve seen before with minimal thought involved.

    I’m yet to do any walking but definitely need to get outside!

    1. That’s lovely, Deborah, getting to hug your mum. I never realized how much I got from hugs until I couldn’t hug my family when I saw them. The first time we decided it was okay to hug again was pure joy!

  5. oh, we’ve had plenty of ice cream! As for the puppy, we have two dogs and the younger one, Lily, has been a special cause of pleasure for us, with her loving nature and playfulness. #MLSTL

    1. That is wonderful, Enda. How can you not be smiling with ice cream and dogs! Our sweet Charlie passed away earlier this year, and we miss him like crazy. Yet he is still making us smile through our many happy photos and memories of him.

  6. Hi Christie – loved all your suggestions – and I think we need all the positivity we can get in these dark times. I’m so tired of reading about doom and gloom, pestilance and protests! I’m all for a good cup of coffee, a big hug, and a good book atm.
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM ?

    1. Oh yes–a good book is definitely on my list of things that can make me smile. Thanks for the suggestion. Combine a book with the coffee and sitting outside on the deck, and I’m a happy camper. I wish you a more peaceful week!

  7. Thank you for this, great suggestions and we need the positivity for sure. I confess I read the transcript and did not watch the video. Sharing to my Facebook page.

    Blessings, Michele Somerville, The Beach Girl Chronicles

    1. No worries, Michele. I post the transcript and the video, so people can read or watch, based on personal preference. I just appreciate you engaging. And thanks for the share! Take care and keep smiling!

  8. Your suggestions made me smile, just reading them. I’ve been feeling a little like you Christie. It’s been worrying me, blogging about such trivial topics when the world seems to be falling apart. I’m pleased you published this post

    1. It’s comforting to know we’re all in this together, Jennifer. I’m glad my post made you smile. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Take care and keep smiling!

  9. Happy Monday to you too Christie, your warm sunniness always makes me smile 🙂 I had a lovely visit with my daughter and granddaughter on the weekend, the first time we’ve seen them in person for a few months – it was so joyful and I will carry those warm memories for ever! Sitting in the late crispy afternoon air, around the firepit in the garden, has been a pleasure lately and sitting in my garden sunroom has been the best! Thanks for the smiles 🙂 #mlstl

    1. Thank you for the kind words, Debbie. I’m happy for you that you were able to see your daughter and granddaughter. We’ll never take those in-person visits for granted again, will we! Enjoy the garden!

  10. Hi Christie, Your smile makes me smile! I mean it! You are a breath of fresh air. I agree with all of your ten points. It is amazing on how the simple and little things can make us smile. A hug is tops on the list. A great post! Sharing #MLSTL and on SM

    1. Thank you Erica. Your kind words really touched me. If I made you smile, then my little vlog wasn’t so little after all. Take care and keep smiling! We’ll get through this together.

  11. Even though this is really a shitty time in the US, I’m glad you’re still finding a smile. There is always joy if we look and you’ve got great ways to find them. If a puppy doesn’t make the grumpiest person alive smile, there really is no hope for them!

    1. It is a shitty time, Christine. I have to agree, and I accept that change is going to be uncomfortable, but as you pointed out, there is joy even in the darkest of times. We just have to tap into it and embrace it. Sending a big virtual hug to you!

  12. Hi Christie, it’s often the simple things that give us the biggest smiles, don’t you agree? I loved your list, and the extra 5 are great ideas too! I’ve discovered recently that going to a big fruit and veggie market makes me smile! Just seeing all the healthy food somehow puts a smile on my face, especially after having been in lock down for a couple of months with just the local supermarket available for our fresh food needs. Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂

    1. I do agree, Cheryl. I love farmers markets. I’m wondering if we will have any around here this summer and fall. I agree seeing all that good fresh food in one place is uplifting. Enjoy!

  13. Hi Christie, A great list of simple pleasures that we can do during these difficult times. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas.

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