Fun things

It is cold

Not really, because today was a warm day for December.  So we went out for a long walk. 

I went with my dear daughter to the craft store a couple of weeks before. We were thinking of making little DIY Christmas crafts. I bought a craft foam ring, a foam cone, ribbons and pom-poms. 

I wrapped the ring with ribbon. Then an assortment of things from my craft box and a glue gun, and an hour, it is here:

I used some craft wire to hang it in the foyer.  

Then we got this wooden angel from Homesense. We bought a strip of LED lights too. 

I put the lights on the angel. Now she resides on the kitchen windowsill, splashing cheerful light! Next to her, my oregano is thriving in a beer bottle (Kratki Hydroponics). 

I made paper butterflies and attached them to a string. That goes well with the angel and lights. 

What fun things do you do in December?

 

Bindu

Happiness in 4 Easy Steps

The year 2021 started while we were still dealing with the pandemic. It is May now. In Toronto, we have the third wave. 

Toronto is under lockdown till May 20. On top of that, we are getting more overcast days. It is a year of heightened emotions and fear. 

 

How can I  be happy?

1. Having hobbies

I love taking care of plants. Nowadays, I try to propagate indoor plants. It is lovely to see the new growth budding. 

During the pandemic, I started reading one book a week. Started it as fun. Then it leads to re-starting my blog." Books and Bindu" is the new one to write about my reading.

  

2. Learning new things

Learning to make designs for the blogs with "Canva" became another fun activity. I can be in my zone for hours creating a graphic. There are always new and exciting things to work on. This year, I am learning more about social media, especially Instagram and Pinterest.

3. Looking around

It can be a walk in the park. It can be just looking out through the window to see a squirrel. If you can be in that moment, it will make you happy. 

Watching squirrels in the backyard is fun. It is interesting to watch them standing on hind legs with a nut in the mouth.  

The bushes on the sidewalks are bursting with different colours of flowers. Trees are growing new buds. Changes happening in nature during springtime is incredible! Makes everyone happy.

4. Connecting with others

When I had a bad day at work, I decided to call a friend on the phone to chat. I took the time to ask how she is coping with the lockdown. We talk, about my problem at work. She had a listening ear and a solid suggestion to tame my mood. 

Having friends to call and talk to is one thing we should not take for granted. 

Bindu

What makes you happy?

Ever read the book, "Your time or Your Money"?

It is a book by Vicki Robbins. Most of the Financial Independent bloggers have mentioned about that book. 

I read it several years ago. It came to mind just today again. This book makes us think about our purchases based on the time we have to work to get that material possession. 

If you hate your work, and spent long hours at work to have your stuff, then think about it. Time is fixed. Every one get 24 hours a day and 365 days an year. What you want to do with this time? If you are working 80 hour weeks, you have to reduce your time to do other things in life. It can be spending time with your love ones. It can be no time for exercise. It can be less time for the fun and interesting things to do with life.

So, is that 80 hours of working really worth it? 

What you want to do with life? Like to have freedom to do more fun things and less material stuff  or doing more at work to accumulate more stuff in life?

This book made me think of how many hours to slave for work to buy a not so needed expensive dress.

I highly recommend reading this book. It will tell you how you "money is something you choose to  trade your life energy for" 

What is important to you?

What makes you happy?

Is it worth spending your time to work more hours to have more stuff? 

Do you like to work or do you like to spend your time doing something else?

 

Bindu

Sunny days : happy Days

 Sunlight makes every one happy. 

I was looking outside by standing on the window on a suuny day this week. I saw this man and kid (might be dad and daughter) enjoying the happy spring day.

Especially, in North America, with almost 7 months of winter, sunny spring days are delightful. It is a simple thing to be outside on a bright spring day. It will still be cold, but happy. 

We are all naturally attracted to the sunlight.

Scientists says sunlight is the greatest source of Vitamin D, which is also known as the happy vitamin. 

It is also known that depression can be lifted by regularly getting exposed to sunlight. 

Brighter days makes our moodsEven on an overcast day, outside is brighter than inside. Being out will elevate our moods, even on an overcast day.

I felt compelled to capture this photo:

Light brings shadows, right? Just like life has happy and sad moments. 

What feelings comes to you on a sunny day?

Bindu

Give a gift without reason : simple thing to be happy!

I was just wandering during lunch time. The shop nearby was open and not crowded. I wanted to walk around and see inside. 

I felt like buying a small item for my work buddy. It was not considered as a gift usually. I didn't put in the gift bag or anything. 

Just handed it over to my buddy, saying thought you will like it. 

Of course, my buddy loved it. The smile says it all! 

It made me happy. I felt like I was appreciated. 

A simple thing, to be happy!

 

Bindu

A chocolate! Simple thing to be happy!

I received a box of Ferrero chocolates as a gift. Actually it was a Christmas gift. 

I kept it to open later. Now, it is in the fridge. I decided to open and eat it with my hubby. One piece of chocolate a day. 

After dinner, it is really nice to watch something on You tube and have a piece of chocolate. 

The sweetness melting in your mouth, slowly! the texture is changing on your tongue! 

Chocolate releases serotonin, which stabilizes mood. that is what is making us feel happy while eating chocolates. 

A small piece of delicious chocolate just makes me happy; it doesn't makes me worry about the calories. A small piece of chocolate is just makes me feel in heaven. Sitting my loved one while watching a comedy show is adding extra pleasure to it. I limit one piece for a day. Eating more will cause feeling guilty,

A piece of chocolate, a simple thing to be happy!!

Bindu