Dennis Prager constantly asserts that it is every religious person's moral obligation to those around them to be and remain happy. Not only does this best represent the faith one holds, but it also completely changes the atmosphere in every situation. That said, while heading into finals, it's easy for me and my fellow classmates to become incredibly stressed. However, I'm taking the time this post to focus on things that make me really happy. I will steer clear of the obvious "sleep," "food," "money."
Here goes:
Things that make me all a twitterpated. You like that word, huh?
1. New Music Books. As you might know, books in general are one of my top three fav gifts to recieve, so this is a consistent liking. I just bought Bill Evan's Solo Transcriptions and I can't wait to play them. He's amazing.
2. A Good Capuccino.
3. Hearing Howard Dean call Republicans "Evil." :)
4. Italian Food.
5. That time slot in the early morning that I get to spend talking and having tea with my mom. British tea straight from the source, of course. :) We're tea snobs in my family.
6. Sharing Girls Scout Cookies with my Ear Training class. It is utterly hilarious how these grown men acted when they smelled thin mints. My teacher even stopped the class and asked, "Are there Girl Scout Cookies in here? 'Cause I can smell 'em."
7. For you music nerds: Pedaling the tonic to the 7th or pedaling the 5th to the b6 to find if a IV or V chord is Major or Minor. If it doesn't match the note you're singing, it's the funniest sound in the universe and it makes me smile every time I hear it.
So, I've noticed that of the seven things listed, four of them are food related. I'm going to ponder the significance thereof. Hmm...
I'd encourage those who are stressed right now to actively think about simple things that make you happy. Heck, if they're great, post them in a comment. Ciao!
Posted by Portia at March 3, 2005 07:33 PMEm, #5 is definitely one of my favorite moments of the day as well. Love you. (My own happiness list includes old and rare books and growing roses:)
Posted by: Mutti at March 4, 2005 08:30 AMEmily,
You're Italian, remember? The love of great food and drink is in your blood!
Posted by: Peter at March 4, 2005 01:01 PMLet's try not to make number 7 a habit! That's right...
Posted by: Jon at March 4, 2005 03:15 PMWhy don't you try painting a smile on your face like that dwarf? That might help you forget about Social Security.
Posted by: ziggy at March 5, 2005 05:59 PMgood call ziggy but you gotta remember that first one must actually do some research on sociol security policy before they can forget about it.
Posted by: Zachary Kern-Schnall at March 8, 2005 02:09 AMoh, you liberals make me laugh....haha....haha....too cute.
Posted by: Jon at March 8, 2005 04:54 PMActually I think that Dwarf already knows about Social Security. That's like the smile on Bush's face when he says he's going to "strengthen" it.
Posted by: ziggy at March 12, 2005 09:53 AMThis should make you happy too. With Bush administration approval, Israel has decided to attack Iran with bunker busting bombs if negotiations fail. Hooray, more Muslims will get blown up! And maybe World War III will bring the final showdown between Christianity and Islam! Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to armageddon we go!
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&e=9&u=/nm/mideast_iran_dc
Posted by: ziggy at March 13, 2005 12:30 PMZiggy, you are making hay out of whole cloth here. First of all you are way off topic -- from Social Security, to Christians vs. Islam and then Christians rejoicing over a hypothetical WWIII. This thread is about thinking of things that make you happy--and to assume the things you are bringing up would bring happiness to others is nonsense (or perhaps you are projecting?).
The last time we witnessed anyone rejoicing en masse were those in the Middle East dancing in the streets when our Trade Towers went down. To date, haven't seen, read or heard about thousands of Christians dancing over terrorist acts or calamities (fyi: that sort of thing is forbidden in the Bible).
Now, back to the topic; is there anything at all that brings joy to your heart?
Posted by: Dee at March 13, 2005 02:58 PMI'm just kidding, man. Cripes.
Yes lots of things bring joy to my heart--a really good movie, kielbasa at Little Poland, a good cup of coffee, snowfall in New York, my girlfriend, etc. etc.
Posted by: ziggy at March 13, 2005 03:56 PMMy apologies; didn't know you were joking.
Posted by: Dee at March 13, 2005 04:01 PMI should add seeing Bush impale himself on the gates of Social Security. That makes me smile.
Posted by: ziggy at March 14, 2005 11:36 AMFunny how a simple topic like this can be so revealing of one's heart.
Posted by: Dee at March 14, 2005 12:12 PMHow do you mean?
Posted by: ziggy at March 14, 2005 12:40 PMWishing to see someone impaled (however metaphorically) is pretty gruesome, don't ya think?
Posted by: Dee at March 14, 2005 02:41 PMI don't think so, but suppose it is. What is it you mean has been revealed about my heart?
Posted by: ziggy at March 14, 2005 02:56 PMIt's a figure of speech meaning what a person really thinks.
Posted by: Dee at March 14, 2005 04:42 PMI know what the figure of speech means, I meant what did you feel specifically had been revealed?
Posted by: ziggy at March 14, 2005 05:06 PMIf I stated that I wished X were 'impaled' upon some idea belonging to X, what do you think that would tell you about me and my attitudes towards those with whom I disagree?
Posted by: Dee at March 14, 2005 06:55 PMI might think lots of things, but I would rather not put words in your mouth. This is kind of a ridiculous exercise.
Posted by: ziggy at March 14, 2005 08:22 PMThere is no need to put words in my mouth; I put them there myself. The words we use reveal much. Words have meaning (which I have drilled into my kids since they were little) so being mindful of what we say is being wise.
Obviously you have a great issue with Bush and Social Security (or you wouldn't have brought it up three times), so maybe we can ask Emily to post something about SS so ideas can be exchanged (hopefully without anyone impaling themselves:)).
Posted by: Dee at March 14, 2005 10:04 PMI wonder why they were out poaring into the street cheering the attacks on the U.S.? Oh I know they're all evil and crazy. duh, i forgot. :)
Posted by: zkern@yahoo.com at March 20, 2005 06:48 PM
