Sarala's blog

Happy To Be

Submitted by Sarala on Mon, 2011-04-04 16:17
cover-of-be-happy-written-by-robert-holden

Happy to Be

I have a few questions for you.  I have the answers too! How's that for confidence? But they aren't the answers according to Sarala Godine. They are the answers according to Robert Holden, the author of Be Happy: release the power of happiness in YOU. Are you curious? Here we go:

Giving Thanks is a Miracle

Submitted by Sarala on Tue, 2010-11-16 18:00
picture-of-multi-coloured-sticky-notes-with-thank-you-in--many-languages

Canadian’s celebrated Thanksgiving on October 11th and on Thursday, November 25th folks in the U.S will observe their version of Thanksgiving. Each country traditionally celebrates with family feasts and by taking, at least a few moments, to acknowledge how much they have to be grateful for. But unless you are American or Canadian these holidays are of little importance. Or are they?

Listen to the Stars

Submitted by Sarala on Wed, 2010-10-06 17:35
picture-of-the-cover-of-the-book-On Gratitude-by-Todd Jensen

 

In his book, On Gratitude, Todd Jensen recounts a delightful, nine-year-old-boy moment when his beloved teacher, Mrs. Bammel, attempted to teach the concept of negative numbers. Despite his "toe-tinglingly" love for Mrs. Bammel, Todd just had to protest, "Why in the world would we count negative numbers? That's counting what's not there!"

 

Want Your Life to Make You Wiggle?

Submitted by Sarala on Thu, 2010-09-23 12:49
picture-of-exuberant-toddler-crawling-on-grass

Do you want your life to make you wiggle? I sure do! Pure joy! Total abandonment of self-consciousness? Who wouldn't want that?

Do you want your life to make you wiggle? I sure do! Pure joy? Total abandonment of self-consciousness? Who wouldn't want that?
Babies and dogs know how to make their lives wiggle. My eight-month-old granddaughter, Dakota, expresses pure, unrestrained joy at the sight of her musical book, her soother or her favourite food. She is my mentor.
When I hold Dakota in my arms and she sees her mother, she cannot contain herself. Her excitement starts at her feet, moves through her legs, ripples up through her body, and explodes into an open-armed lunge towards the object of her love. Her smile radiates complete happiness.
Dogs, too are unconstrained in their expression of delight; and everything delights them. Have you ever picked up a stick near a dog and witnessed his explosion into fits of wiggles of pure ecstasy? Does life get any better than an anticipated human touch, a stick in hand, a treat or a mud puddle? A dog enjoys everything presented to him as if he is experiencing it for the first time. He doesn't just say, "Nice treat, thanks." He says, "Oh my gawd, I luuuuv this! I have never tasted anything as fabulous as this in my whole life!"
Babies and dogs do not ask the question, "Do I want my life to make me wiggle." They allow life to take hold of them. They feel deeply. They love life!
I am not suggesting that  adults don't jump for joy or wiggle with excitement. We just tend to do it a little less often than babies and dogs. We tend to be more contained. We tend to  wonder if we will indeed enjoy it as much as we think we might.
I just love it when I am witness to an adult embracing an experience with uninhibited abandon. It happened a few weeks ago while watching a marimba band called Mufara (www.mufaro.ca) playing at the Moss Street Market (www.mossstreetmarket.com), an organic farmers market just a few blocks from my house (which, by the way, is where a lot of the pictures were taken for our gratitute video).
Most of the musicians were focused on their instruments and looked quite serious but one woman was beside herself with excitement. She was so fresh, so alive. Her passion flowed through her arms to the marimba and her smile seemed to illuminate everyone watching. Not only was she wiggling  but the whole audience was wiggling with her. I don't know if she had any idea that she was bringing so much joy to the audience.
She so inspired me that when I recently found a poster advertising marimba lessons I signed up. I have never been able to stand still while listening to a marimba band. My whole body feels the music and I feel almost tearful when I witness the magic of musicians playing cohesively and joyfully together. 
I have had three lessons so far and I can hardly wait for more. Eight of us played a real song, yes a real song, together after one lesson. I can't tell you how exciting that was!
I am wiggling and I plan on making it spread throughout my life. However, if you find me chasing sticks on Dallas Road feel free to comment. 
 Do you want your life to make you wiggle? I sure do! Pure joy? Total abandonment of self-consciousness? Who wouldn't want that?

Babies and puppies know how to make their lives wiggle. My eight-month-old granddaughter, Dakota, expresses pure, unrestrained joy at the sight of her musical book, her soother or her favourite food. She is my mentor.

Happiness Happens Month

Submitted by Sarala on Sun, 2010-08-08 21:48
picture-of-pen-in-hand-drawing-red-happy-face

I just found out that today, Sunday, August 8th, is officially Happiness Happens Day. Sorry for the short notice. I know it doesn't give you much time to get your happy on, but, more good news, August is Happiness Happens Month!

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"I feel like I have God in my pocket."

- C.G., Victoria, B.C.

"I am enjoying my gratOodle and am showing it off to everyone. The best day so far was last Monday. I woke up in a grumpy mood and by 10:00am I was still growly. Then I remembered the gratOodle in my bag and dug it out. I reluctantly began to find things to be grateful for and started clicking it. After about an hour I had close to 10 things and was starting to feel much happier. By the evening I had clicked it close to 100 times and was in an amazing mood, very buoyant and happy! I've been telling everyone that story and getting a lot of joy clicking away ever since."
- K Michaels, Victoria, BC