What makes you smile?

Have you ever paid attention to what makes you smile? We go about our day and probably smile a 100 times and don't even pay attention, or maybe some days it feels like a smile can't even cross your face!

Stop for a moment and think about what makes you smile...do you ensure these things are part of your day?

If they are not...what are you going to do to ensure they become part of your day?


Fun Facts about Smiling

Smiling is a great stress reliever

A smile is a universal expression of happiness and recognised as such by all cultures

A smile is the most frequently used facial expression It takes as few as five pairs of facial muscles and as many as all 53 to smile

A smiling person is judged to be more pleasant, attractive, sincere, sociable, and competent than a non-smiling person

A person who studies laughter is called a 'gelotologist'

It costs nothing to smile!

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Leo Buscagalia

Remember to smile!
xoxox

One of Those Days!

I was sitting here thinking life has a funny way of throwing us curve balls when we least expect it. Having to deal with something we never expected or planned on can turn what was once a normal day into what seems like utter chaos! Talk about stress a person out!

I have had my share of those days over the years, as I am sure many people have. Each time I had to deal with the situation with the knowledge and the skills I had at the time. Often not handling some situations very well,I fully admitt. Thankfully, one of the joys of learning is with each experience our "curve ball tool kit" expands and gets deeper , we have more information and knowledge in which to draw from! How cool is that!

I remember the first time I brought my son home from the hospital, as a first time mom I was so scared because It felt as if didn't have a clue what I was doing. What did I really know about raising this little person? 17 years later that little baby is now a handsome young man who inspires me and teaches me every day. Somehow we both survived!

I now watch new mom's with their first borns and I can relate to the fear and the excitement in their eyes! They too are starting to build their tool kit which will be rich with knowledge 17 years from now!

Part of that tool kit is having a support network . Thanks to the information highway we now have access to such inspiring people who share their passion and stories with others in hopes of sharing their knowledge and experience. If you keep an open mind there is always something you can learn from everyone..who couldn't use a new tool to add to their collection?!

Nick Vujicic is one individual who shares his passion with people around the world. His story is truly amazing. http://wimp.com/watchingthis/

When life throws a curve ball we always have a choice and Nick's story is just one of many that helps people to remember ...never give up..no matter how bad a situation seems to be there is always light at the end of the tunnel!



Keep building your tool kit! xox

To do list be gone for the day!

It is perfectly acceptable to give ourselves permission to set aside that infamous to do list for another day. We all have days when we wake up , and the only thing we want to focus on is doing whatever we want! Finding a good day to celebrate that is up to each of us!
Today for me, everything else can wait..my prority list for today is ...spend some time getting lost in painting to see what I can create..relaxing in my lounge chair outside with a good book..and having a chat with my son before he heads off to work!

Appreciating what the day has to offer rather than expecting something from the day is a hidden gem! xo

Laughter

I wasn't shocked to read a report that children laugh roughly 300 times a day and an adult only 15 times. When did we adults lose this ablity to find so much to laugh at during a day? Children are the experts when it comes to happiness and have an incredible ablity to explore their world with adventure with little worries. As we get older, we start to lose that innocent ablity to see things through simple eyes and wonder. Not to say , because we don't laugh as much we are unhappy, we just have more things to worry about in a day then we did as a child.

Laughter is good for us..the more we add to our day the more benefits we see in ourselves both phyically and mentally.

How can you add more laughter into you life?

Here are a few ideas

1. Play with your kids, be silly and remember what it is like to be a kid again..blow bubbles, have a water fight, dance, have a tea party, play tag. Kids know how to have fun!
2. Check out the joke of the day or cartoons or comic strips
3. Hang out with fun people who enjoy laughing
4. Go see a comedy or rent a funny movie
4 Just laugh – even if you fake it, eventually you will start to laugh for real because you will sound so silly ..give it a shot..it works..or watch someone else laugh ..you will find yourself laughing at them laughing!

From the Heart , Keeping It Real

A huge thank you to everyone who purchased a copy of my book. Opening my heart for the world to see was a risk however I believe strongly in the power of sharing, the magic of hope, the beauty of unconditional love..we are all on a journey that ultimately... leads to the same destination. Your support and comments reconfirm the risk was worth taking! Never be afraid to feel what you need to feel. We are all stronger than we think, life is series of ups and downs giving us an opportunity to learn about ourselves, to allow us to feel and discover the beauty around us when we learn to love our self unconditionally.

Please keep the comments coming , good or bad I enjoy all of them. xox



"Tracey - I gave your book to a friend of mine for Christmas and he thoroughly enjoyed it. He thinks you are a wonderful writer and was VERY impressed with your impressions and definition of lifein your introduction. Coming from him - this is praise indeed - believe me. I have to get another one for myself and I am going to get one for another friend of mine who also enjoys books like this. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year." Beulah (NL)


"I got your book in the mail today and i just had to start reading right away! I plan on reading it it as often as i can and as many times as i can. You are a true inspiration. "I laughed, I cried...".Thank-you for sharing your gift of words and art with us. I just can't say enough without sounding like a blubbering fool. Thanks Tracey" (ON)



"The book is beautiful....a book of life" Bob (ON)