Ripplemaker's Blog: Thankful

You Are Special by Max Lucado

2011-03-13T08:28:00.002+08:00

I met Punchinello when I was a lost twenty three year old girl searching for myself. Punchinello’s story is written by Max Lucado in his book, “You are Special.” I am so excited to share this story because it has touched me deeply. It may be a familiar one to you because some have blogged about it or circulated this piece in the email. But you may have missed it too. So if you were drawn to this today, this one is for you.

I have written the publisher of the book, "You are Special by Max Lucado" and have been granted permission to share this beautiful, uplifting, wonderful story here.If you have already read the story, I invite you to forward this to those whom you think might need it. If you haven’t encountered this story yet, please continue reading as Max Lucado take you to Wemmicksville where it all began and how he reminds each one of us how special we truly are.

And oh, one more thing. If you decide to read the story below, please read it slowly. Don't rush it. Just take your time to savor the words. Blessings...

You Are Special by Max Lucado

The Wemmicks were small wooden people. Each of the wooden people was carved by a woodworker named Eli. His workshop sat on a hill overlooking their village. Every Wemmick was different. Some had big noses, others had large eyes. Some were tall and others were short. Some wore hats, others wore coats. But all were made by the same carver and all lived in the village. And all day, every day, the Wemmicks did the same thing: They gave each other stickers. Each Wemmick had a box of golden star stickers and a box of gray dot stickers. Up and down the streets all over the city, people could be seen sticking stars or dots on one another.

The pretty ones, those with smooth wood and fine paint, always got stars. But if the wood was rough or the paint chipped, the Wemmicks gave dots. The talented ones got stars, too. Some could lift big sticks high above their heads or jump over tall boxes. Still others knew big words or could sing very pretty songs. Everyone gave them stars. Some Wemmicks had stars all over them! Every time they got a star it made them feel so good that they did something else and got another star. Others, though, could do little. They got dots.

Punchinello was one of these. He tried to jump high like the others, but he always fell. And when he fell, the others would gather around and give him dots. Sometimes when he fell, it would scar his wood, so the people would give him more dots. He would try to explain why he fell and say something silly, and the Wemmicks would give him more dots. After a while he had so many dots that he didn't want to go outside. He was afraid he would do something dumb such as forget his hat or step in the water, and then people would give him another dot. In fact, he had so many gray dots that some people would come up and give him one without reason. "He deserves lots of dots," the wooden people would agree with one another. "He's not a good wooden person."

After a while Punchinello believed them. "I'm not a good Wemmick," he would say. The few times he went outside, he hung around other Wemmicks who had a lot of dots. He felt better around them.

One day he met a Wemmick who was unlike any he'd ever met. She had no dots or stars. She was just wooden. Her name was Lucia. It wasn't that people didn't try to give her stickers; it's just that the stickers didn't stick. Some admired Lucia for having no dots, so they would run up and give her a star. But it would fall off. Some would look down on her for having no stars, so they would give her a dot. But it wouldn't stay either. 'That's the way I want to be,'thought Punchinello. 'I don't want anyone's marks.' So he asked the stickerless Wemmick how she did it. "It's easy," Lucia replied. "every day I go see Eli."

"Eli?"
"Yes, Eli. The woodcarver. I sit in the workshop with him."
"Why?"
"Why don't you find out for yourself? Go up the hill. He's there."
And with that the Wemmick with no marks turned and skipped away. "But he won't want to see me!" Punchinello cried out. Lucia didn't hear.

So Punchinello went home. He sat near a window and watched the wooden people as they scurried around giving each other stars and dots.

"It's not right," he muttered to himself. And he resolved to go see Eli. He walked up the narrow path to the top of the hill and stepped into the big shop. His wooden eyes widened at the size of everything. The stool was as tall as he was. He had to stretch on his tiptoes to see the top of the workbench. A hammer was as long as his arm. Punchinello swallowed hard. "I'm not staying here!" and he turned to leave. Then he heard his name.

"Punchinello?" The voice was deep and strong. Punchinello stopped. "Punchinello! How good to see you. Come and let me have a look at you." Punchinello turned slowly and looked at the large bearded craftsman.
"You know my name?" the little Wemmick asked.

"Of course I do. I made you." Eli stooped down and picked him up and set him on the bench.
"Hmm," the maker spoke thoughtfully as he inspected the gray circles. "Looks like you've been given some bad marks."

I didn't mean to, Eli. I really tried hard."
"Oh, you don't have to defend yourself to me, child. I don't care what the other Wemmicks think."
"You don't?"
"No, and you shouldn't either. Who are they to give stars or dots? They're Wemmicks just like you. What they think doesn't matter, Punchinello. All that matters is what I think. And I think you are pretty special."
Punchinello laughed. "Me, special? Why? I can't walk fast. I can't jump. My paint is peeling. Why do I matter to you?"
Eli looked at Punchinello, put his hands on those small wooden shoulders, and spoke very slowly. "Because you're mine. That's why you matter to me."
Punchinello had never had anyone look at him like this--much less his maker. He didn't know what to say.

"Every day I've been hoping you'd come," Eli explained.
"I came because I met someone who had no marks."
"I know. She told me about you."
"Why don't the stickers stay on her?"
"Because she has decided that what I think is more important than what they think. The stickers only stick if you let them."
"What?"
"The stickers only stick if they matter to you. The more you trust my love, the less you care about the stickers."
"I'm not sure I understand."

"You will, but it will take time. You've got a lot of marks. For now, just come to see me every day and let me remind you how much I care." Eli lifted Punchinello off the bench and set him on the ground. "Remember," Eli said as the Wemmick walked out the door. "You are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes."

Punchinello didn't stop, but in his heart he thought, "I think he really means it."
And when he did, a dot fell to the ground.

[You Are Special] Max Lucado
Copyright [Crossway Books, 1997]
Used by permission

About the Author

MAX LUCADO is an accomplished storyteller, a master of poetic prose, a thoughtful observer..and the author of best selling classics that include: Just Like Jesus, In the Grip of Grace, The Great House of God, and a Gentle Thunder.
His two books "When God Whispers Your Name" and "In the Grip of Grace" were named Gold Medallion Book of the Year.
Max Lucado lives in San Antonio Texas, where he is a minister of the Oak Hills Church. He and his wife, Denalyn, are parents of three children. He also speaks daily on his national radio program "UpWords."

Michelle Simtoco

The Way to Happiness: Being Positive

2011-03-12T08:07:00.001+08:00

I absolutely know the way to happiness is being positive. How could I not know when many times in my life I was the opposite of being positive? Oh yes, I wore the cloak of negativity with utter disregard for fashion sense. Little did I know that this clothing made me feel heavy, ugly and hateful.

Say something that would trigger my red button, I would scowl fiercely. Expert at scowling and frowning, I had mastered the art of showing my displeasure. But inside I was timid and fearful and would cry a lot when no one was around.

The way to happiness is being positive. But how in the world can one be positive when you feel so negative? How can one be positive when you just want to scream your rage or sometimes want to curl up and die with despair?

CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY. The way to happiness is being positive. It starts with your desire to be happy. The first step is you have to make that choice…to be happy or not be happy. I tell you I cannot make any person happy if they do not want to be happy.

Have you ever had one of those moments?

You are in a foul mood. Your spouse asks you, “What’s wrong?” You grunt in response. “Did I say something wrong or did something again that displeased you?’ He asks knowing you so well.

“You haven’t paid me any attention the whole time I am here.” You speak up finally.

“Oh I’m so sorry,” He laughs trying to be cheerful. “You didn’t smile when I said hello so I thought you wanted to be alone. All you had to do was ask. You want to talk?” He pulls your hand to the sofa. “Tell me how your day was.”

You roll your eyes and say, “I don’t like to talk. Can you just leave me alone?” You walk off leaving a surprised spouse scratching his head wondering what the heck happened to you.

Now if you are like me, I’ve had those moments. I want to be comforted and I wanted someone to listen but when they gave me their attention I pushed them away. I could not understand but I realized later that I was feeling restless inside. I was unhappy. I didn’t know what I wanted.

The moment I decided I chose to be happy, I no longer resist the love given to me. And then it became easier to walk the path to happiness and be positive.

DECIDE TO BE HAPPY. Observe kids. They can easily get out of their unhappiness quite easily.
I remember my five year old nephew who accidentally hit the glass of water on the table wetting his dad’s cellphone. He tried to talk to his dad trying to distract him; but since his dad didn’t say a word, he felt so guilty that he ran to hide behind the sofa. Half an hour later, his mom had convinced him to go upstairs to the bedroom but came knocking on my door an hour after. My sis-in-law pleaded, “Can you help me explain that this is not a bad house? He keeps on saying this is a bad house!”

Alone in the room, I asked him what happened and what he felt. “I can’t control my hands!” He muttered looking at his hands teary eyed. My eyes watered a bit and I had to control myself from bawling when I understood what he was feeling completely. “Are you worried that Dad is mad at you? Did you spill the glass on purpose?” I asked one question after the other. He answered me honestly.

“Well, you didn’t do it on purpose so we just have to be careful next time right?” And then I threw in the question. “I know you are not feeling good right now, what would you like to do to feel good?”

He stopped pacing around the room and his eyes twinkled. “I’d like to play with my water gun but it’s in my grandma’s house. Ah I know, can we play with my sharks and dolphins?”

I said “okay.” He beamed with delight, his bad mood gone as he ran to his room to get his toys.

RESOLVE TO BE HAPPY. Today, wherever you are right now, whatever challenges are staring at you in the face, resolve to be happy. You can prefer to be happy. You want to be happy. You desire to be happy. You opt to be happy.

By choosing, deciding, preferring, desiring, resolving to be happy, your attitude changes! You can actually start to be positive! By doing this you have just walked your way to happiness!

Michelle Simtoco

Prayer For Generosity MV

2011-02-14T19:56:00.005+08:00

Prayer for Generosity

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous;
teach me to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to seek reward,
except that of knowing that I do your will.

Amen.

St. Ignatius Loyola

-----------------------------------------------------

Take, Lord, and Receive

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory,
    my understanding, and my entire will.
All I have and call my own.
Whatever I have or hold, you have given me.
I return it all to you and surrender it wholly
    to be governed by your will.
Give me only your love and your grace
    and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.

St. Ignatius, from the end of the Spiritual Exercises

Lord, Teach us to be generous in all ways.

Michelle Simtoco

Thankful For The Real Meaning of Peace

2011-01-15T13:43:00.007+08:00

This is an inspiring story that has been shared so many times. And you never tire of reading it because it makes you realize that it is true. I pray that you find your peace. And if you do, continue to be grateful and thankful.

Peace Cranes

The Real Meaning of Peace

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two that he really liked, and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest -- in perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the second picture. Do you know why?

"Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

Author: Unknown

Peace Symbols

Source

Peace be with you.

New Years are New Beginnings

2011-01-03T21:00:00.005+08:00

I haven't been able to sit down long enough to be quiet so I could write on my blog. After my last entry, days have been filled with shopping, family get togethers, preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, packing, tugging along suitcases, enjoying Taiwan, preparing my song for my grand aunt's 8oth birthday celebration and more. Gasp...yes it was that hectic and busy!

The house is quieter now and so is my mind. I breathe inwardly-- a deep breath that makes me introspect on my experiences the past week. I love the stillness for here I could stop doing and just be. And it gives me an inner peace.

Tonight I just bask in this space of gratitude. In this place, I smile with joy for now I see that new years are new beginnings. And I am so excited because I see how I have been growing and healing and most especially, how I am loving myself more. I could feel my hormones in eager anticipation for my life to unfold beautifully right before my eyes. Plans are laid out. Wonderful dreams and hopes visualized daily. Who could not help but be excited?

I am ready.

I am open and available for abundance to manifest in all aspects of my life.

I am choosing joy each day.

I am grateful.

I am excited!

Happy New Year to you my dear friend and reader. May you continue to choose the path to that which brings you meaning and joy and love.

Blessings!

Michelle Simtoco

Happy and Thankful that Christmas Time is Here

2010-12-12T22:09:00.011+08:00

I love the Christmas season because it brings me to a really feeling good place. A place of love and hope and peace. There were many Christmas moments when I was sad and blue but the Christmas spirit seemed to soothe me in ways that I could never even begin to describe.

Anyway, tonight I was on the search mode! The kids will be having their Christmas party in school this coming Friday. And we decided to do a front act -- a dance number--right before the Christmas play would begin. So I found myself browsing through youtube looking for some dance steps so our choreography session would progress faster. And lo and behold, I came upon this cute video of a Liturgical Dance performed by Steps of Faith at the 2008 Nativity Ballet. This dance is to Michael W. Smith's Christmas Classic "Christmastime". Learn more about Steps of Faith at their website: http://www.steps-of-faith.com/

I enjoyed this so much and the music is so wonderful. The kids are just so adorable too. I am thankful that this brought me to a really feeling good place all over again. And feeling good makes me connect with Christmas. And I find that to be a beautiful experience.

Okay, so I tried some of these ballet steps..will see if these moves can be modified to fit our dance. After this, I will have to go back and look for more dance steps.

So happy and thankful that Christmas time is here!

Michelle Simtoco

Abraham Hicks-Recipe for Joy

2010-04-19T00:17:00.003+08:00

Seek Joy first and foremost.
Seek reasons to offer words of praise to self and others.
Seek beauty in nature...beasts and humans.
Seek reasons to love in every segment of every day.
Look for something that brings forth within you a feeling of love.
Seek that which uplifts you.
Seek opportunity to offer that which uplifts another.
Seek a feeling of well-being.
Know that your value can only be measured in terms of joy.
Acknowledge your absolute freedom to do any of these things.
Or not do any of these things.
For it is without exception your choice in every moment of every day.

By: Abraham-Hicks

Use this recipe for joy!

Love and light...

Michelle Simtoco

Happiness is...

2010-04-16T06:03:00.003+08:00

Happiness is being able to enjoy the simple things in life. That includes eating ice cream, walking on the beach barefooted, snuggling under the blankets on a Monday!
Happiness is being sweet, loving and caring.
Happiness is your child giving you a hug unexpectedly and for no reason except to say "I love you!"
Happiness is seeing the beauty, blessing and benefit in every situation.
Happiness is deciding to be better than bitter.
Happiness is riding along with the waves of life.
Happiness is feeling the wind against your skin.
Happiness is being appreciative of people, places, and events in your life.
Happiness is home cooked meals and noisy conversations.
Happiness is being contented with what you have.
Happiness is feeling light, easy and peaceful.
Happiness is the opportunity to share with others the joy of life.
Happiness is giving and receiving.
Happiness is recognizing your divinity and being able to recognize it in others.
Happiness is giving yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.
Happiness is seeing the diamond instead of the dirt.
Happiness is accepting the differences and celebrating our unique individuality.
Happiness is saying nice things to someone and mean it.
Happiness is laughing many times during the day.
Happiness is saying Yes to Life!

What is happiness for you?

Michelle Simtoco

Happy Thoughts Create A Happy Feeling

2010-04-09T07:42:00.002+08:00

Did you know that happy thoughts create happy feelings?

This is another secret to happiness.

Think happy thoughts.

Why don't you snuggle in bed, close your eyes and transport yourself to moments in your life that made you happy. Smile. Laugh at it. Allow yourself to be affected by your memories. Allow your feel good hormones to burst forth and tingle all over your body.

My birthday is nearing. And my thoughts went back to the times in my life when I celebrated my birthday. Aaaah, how my boyfriend surprised with a gift that he painstakingly shopped for. The surprise birthday greeting in my room at midnight when my classmates came into my room bringing candles. I woke up and thought somebody had died, my eyes still blurry from sleep. The birthday that I celebrated with my best friend with her personalized gifts, the story book which was my favorite. Or the time my spiritual partner surprised me with a photo of God, me and her. I still have this photo in my room now. Looking at this frame makes me feel special all over. I could feel so much love from God too.

I smile and giggle at some of these memories and excitedly plan for my birthday this coming May. Maybe something simple and nice and fun. Hmmmm...let me think about that one.

But how are you feeling now?

Happy thoughts create happy feelings. So keep thinking those happy thoughts and chase the blues away.

Michelle Simtoco

To Be Happy Adopt the Attitude of Gratitude

2010-03-30T08:49:00.009+08:00

If you want to be happy, be grateful!

Adopt the attitude of gratitude!

Play a game with yourself. From the time the sun rises or when the alarm rings to wake you up, say aloud what you are grateful for. Do you find that difficult to do? Don't worry. Start simply. You don't have to use complicated gratitude speeches or superfluous words.

When you wake up and your beautiful eyes blink wide open, say it. "Oh I'm glad I can open my eyes!" There that wasn't so difficult right? Next step. When you sit up on your bed and rub the sleep from your eyes, say it. "Oh I can move my hands! Wow!" Now you are off to a great start. So you walk and comb your hair and sit on the throne to dispel food from last night's heavy dinner, notice it. You could actually do these things! Without effort...without even thinking about it or calling the army to help you! See...this is just the beginning of this gratitude attitude.

I drive my car everyday to work and everyday, when I slid into the driver's seat, I close my eyes and say thank you that I can comfortably drive myself to work. I thank my family for giving me this car. If it's traffic on the road, I thank the traffic so I could have more time to sing my favorite songs on the radio or listen to an audio teaching or talk with a friend on the cellphone (of course, using the ear phone for safety!)

But I must be honest with you too that there are days when my mind is preoccupied and I catch myself already forgetting to be grateful; and have launched literally hundreds of complaints and what have you's that brings me to a dark and miserable place. Frustration sets in and I want to scream and be really, really cranky! And does it help? It does help to air out the frustration but when I get into that MOOD, it is awful. I feel awful! So what do I do? I can't --not out of the blue anyway-- say the things that I am grateful about. It feels really like a "faky thing" you know. So I do something that makes me feel a bit better instead. Even a teeny weeny bit. I go out in the garden and just stare at the trees. Or I go to the classroom and be with the kids. And hey, when I feel a bit better then I start saying my gratitude aloud. This will bring you happiness and joy.

And so it goes. Now give me a smile. I would like to tell you that I am grateful you took the time to read this post. Hugs....

101 Things to be Grateful For: This is a list I compiled to help us remember some of the things we can be grateful for.

Michelle Simtoco

To Find Happiness You Have to Allow Happiness Into Your Life

2010-02-24T10:54:00.012+08:00

The secret on how to find happiness is to allow happiness in! Allow, allow, allow. I can't say it enough.

Now...are you ready for my one hundred million dollar question? Do you truly, wholly, really want happiness in your life? One hundred percent?!!! If you say yes and you are still feeling unhappy, chances are you are pushing happiness out your door.

Meet sixty year old Clara (not her real name). She is an unmarried woman and looks very pretty even amidst the few wrinkles that you see around her deep set eyes. She must have been very gorgeous in her younger years. But Clara has this despondent energy around her that makes you wonder whatever happened to her.

And then you asked THE QUESTION. How are you Clara? She pounced on those words like a woman desperate and hungry and she recounted in detail all her woes and foes and what might-have-beens. An hour later, you feel drained yourself and you begin to think how unlucky she was and how cruel her family and relatives are. You even begin to hate life yourself thinking it's the enemy to this whole picture.

Later than week, you meet Fe, Clara's sister. Oh Fe is very much different from Clara. This woman simply exudes happiness and joy. You know the kind that makes you not want to leave because you find yourself smiling at the things she is sharing and talking about? Well, she was one of those. Fe talks about Clara in a very different way. You gasp. Fe shares how Clara is so helpful around the house and how good she is in taking care of her kids when she is busy at work. Are they talking about the same person?
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To Find Happiness You Have to Be Open

2009-10-04T13:34:00.009+08:00

Another secret to be happy or to find happiness is to be open. Open to possibilities, open to opportunities, open to people, open to events, open to see and hear new perspectives, open to love and open to happiness.

When Daisy (my Loving Abundance partner and friend) announced let's have a video shoot, I looked at her, frowned and frowned some more (if that were possible.) I double frowned because she wanted to do everything without planning.

"No planning?" I said aghast. "I don't want to look like an idiot", I declared, hands on hips.

She laughed insisting, "But this is an exercise. We can't plan it. The more natural you are, the more real it is. And that's the whole point."

I huffed and puffed and tried to make a lot of excuses. This girl was not taking no for an answer. So I grudgingly agreed.

Well, it turned out pretty well. Read my sharing and watch the video that we made by clicking this link: Openness in Ma nifesting Abundance with Endless Possibilities

I confess that when the ground I am walking on is something that scares me, I tend to withdraw and run away. I confess that being open is frightening at times because it makes me feel vulnerable and somehow naked. You don't want to be naked with people! What if they would hate you or laugh at you.

One lesson I've learned though is that the people who really love you do not laugh at you but laugh with you. They accept you and allow you to make mistakes. They support and challenge you to become a better person.

And so you learn to relax a little and open up a bit. And you allow goodness in. And then you open some more and more good comes in. And you open up more and more and more good things comes your way.

It just keeps on going.

But it all started with being open you know.

Be open and allow happiness in.

Be open to accept a smile, a word of kindness, a helping hand.

Be open to allow people to help you.

Be open to accept compliments.

Be open to accept love expressed in various ways.

Another secret to be happy and to find happiness is to be open. And then the possibilities are endless.

Michelle Simtoco

To Find Happiness Sometimes You Have to Let Your Hair Down

2009-05-09T09:45:00.011+08:00

To find happiness sometimes you just have to let your hair down. My nephew comes in with a worried look. And I ask him why. He says he doesn't want to enter the competition. What competition? The Math competition. I poked and asked until he finally said that he didn't like to lose.

Aaah, there! It's just a game. Just have fun. I said. But when the words left my mouth, it suddenly dawned on me that sometimes it's hard to have fun when the pressure is on. The expectations, the feelings that come out when you don't win, it really bugs us down. We want to play and have fun but we find ourselves trapped amidst our judgments and criticisms.

So here I am pondering why I said yes to the Hubchallenge. The challenge is to write 30 hubs or articles for the next 30 days. Can I really do that? I have a daytime job and so I only have nights to write and research. You see, I've been part of Hubpages for two years now. And Ryan Hupfer, HubPages Communicator of Awesomeness, has recently said YES to a Hub Challenge Vs. Courtney Tuttle of Keyword Academy. 100 hubs in 30 Days! Or if you find that toxic you can take the other challenge 30 Hubs in 30 days!
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To Be Happy Be Willing to See Another View

2009-02-16T06:32:00.007+08:00

To be happy one must be willing to see another view...another perspective.

I've often wondered why sometimes it becomes challenging to see another view and we tend to get stuck up seeing one side to the whole story.

Proverbs teaches us a lot of things. Does it inspire you or depresses you?

1. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
2. Honesty is the best policy.
3. Curiosity killed the cat.
4. Birds of the same feathers flock together.
5. Money is the root of all evil.
6. It is better to give than to receive.
7. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
8. Opportunity knocks only once.
9. Love is blind.
10. All good things must come to an end.

What are the beliefs and perspectives do you have recalling the above proverbs?

Daisy Ba-ad shares how her perception of this beliefs have been redefined through the years as her wisdom and understanding grew.

Read her hub: 10 Popular Proverbs Redefined and be inspired.

Michelle Simtoco

To Be Happy Watch Videos that Will Make You Laugh

2009-01-09T01:00:00.007+08:00

To be happy you can watch videos that will tickle you, make you laugh and you know just make you feel relax all over. You choose videos that make your feel good hormones alive and kickin' and dancing its merry way into your bloodstream. Videos that inspire and touch your heart seems one to be one of my faves too. Whatever it is you choose is great as long you end up feeling happy.

Has anyone told you today that you are special? Well, whether it is a yes or no, you have to see this. The flash video may take a little bit of time to load but be patient okay.

Virtual Therapy for the Soul - Has Anyone Told You?

The second video is an Ode To Joy. I know you know this song. It's a familiar one. Listen closely.

The third video is my all time favorite, Happiness: You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.

The fourth video is something that is amazingly creative and funny.

Ennio Marchetto Theatre Trailer HD

Recorded at the Nieuwe de La Mar theater in Amsterdam July 2004. Ennio's show, all characters and paper costumes are protected by copyright.

Michelle Simtoco

Things That Bring Me Joy!

2008-10-28T01:52:00.011+08:00

What Gives You Joy?

Answer: Changing Seasons

The things that bring me joy are the simple things that come with the dawning of each new moment. It is the wind and the water, the sunlight and the fresh air, the sunrises and sunsets and all of nature with her different seasons that bring with it different joys.

The simple joys are everywhere as seen in the falling autumn leaves on this beautiful autumn day. Dressed in her splendor of color she reflects on top of the water. I come here often for the simple beauty, quiet reflection, where joy can find her way and spring forth without much effort. She never feels the need to rush nor does she charge me for her time.

To everything there is a Season and everything is made beautiful in its time.

There is a Winter season. A time when your roots grow. There is no harvest now!

There is a Spring season. It is a time for planting. There is no harvest now!

There is a Summer season. It is a time for great activity and growth. There is a minimal harvest now!

Finally comes the joy of Autumn. This is life’s harvest time!

So whatever the occasion may be, the changing of the Season is always a joy for me!

With Love, Light and Joy,

Dottie Dillon

Dottie is a wonderful hubber who writes for HubPages. Read her profile here.

She also has a website called Grow with Spiritual Discoveries
that empowers you to live a life with authentic happiness and spiritual serenity.

Michelle Simtoco

Happiness Quotes For You

2008-06-01T07:03:00.001+08:00

“If you want to live more, you must master the art of appreciating the little everyday blessings of life. This is not altogether a golden world but there are countless gleams of gold to be discovered in it.” -Henry Alfred Porter

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." -Nathaniel Hawthorne

"But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?"-Albert Camus

"Be happy. It's one way of being wise." -Colette

"If you are not happy here and now, you never will be." -Taisen Deshimaru

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."-Albert Schweitzer

Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.-Abraham Lincoln

Michelle Simtoco