Me: It has been great seeing you more often at the studio!
Friend: Thanks! You always have such a nice smile for me.
Made my day.
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© 2010 Good Karma Housekeeping. Because, like fond memories, smiles and compliments are gifts that we can always find room for in our lives. (Photo by netwalkerz_net via Creative Commons.)
*swoooon*
Have you heard about these kids? The PS22 Chorus is a group of fifth graders from a public school in Staten Island, NY. Their ebullient teacher, Gregg Breinberg, encouraged the school to let him start a chorus back in 2000—despite previous financial cutbacks to the arts. Fueled by a whole lot of heart and moxie, Breinberg launched a program that is nothing short of remarkable.
Mr. B., as he’s known, has introduced these kids to an unexpected repertoire: Tori Amos b-sides, haunting melodies from Bjork, iconic ’80s tunes, and big hits from artists like Lady Gaga and Coldplay. Sophisticated lyrics, but there’s something about the kids’ renditions that showcases their innocence and pure potential—and makes you want to write a huge check to the Save the Music Foundation.
So inspiring!
Not to mention, I just adore their Peanuts character dance moves.
Check out all of the PS22 videos (there are hundreds more just as cool as these) at www.youtube.com/user/agreggofsociety.
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© 2010 Good Karma Housekeeping. Because even though I believe the children are our future–I don’t need to hear them sing any Whitney. That would be whack.
How many times has a bug landed on you and you just swatted it away without thinking twice? Or do you–like me–discriminate against certain bugs? (Spiders: bad. Ladybugs: good.)
If a ladybug lands on you it is considered to be good luck. And that little ladybug that landed on my right ankle this afternoon got me thinking about all the times I’ve found myself swatting away people. (Literally, not figuratively–of course.) Who are you? Where’d you come from? You’re not a part of the plan. Shoo.
What would happen if I turned that perspective around and considered it a small stroke of luck each time a new person crossed my path? No, not every one of these people needs to play a starring role–or even a protagonistic role. But more and more so, I’m starting to realize that every one and every thing is here for a reason. Perhaps it’s to inspire me in some way. Or he or she references a band that becomes a new favorite. Or challenges me. Maybe he or she simply offers up a kind smile or a good laugh when it’s most needed.
It is also possible that I might be the one who has something to offer that person. There’s no telling, really, what the reason for the encounter may be. Perhaps hindsight will offer up a few clues. But more often than not, these people come and go in our lives with no more than a second’s thought.
I am certain, however, that the more often I make an effort to see the good fortune, the more likely I am to hit the jackpot.
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© 2009 Good Karma Housekeeping. Making the space–mentally and physically–to live happily ever after. (Ladybug photo from Alex Bruda @ stock.xchng)
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My little old piggy bank from Epcot, circa 1984.
I remember peeling the dollar bills out of my red Velcro wallet back in 1984 to pay for this cute little piggy bank that I bought for myself at the China pavillion at Epcot Center while on a family vacation. For years, this piggy bank sat on my dresser, holding coins for vending machine goodies; later, quarters for the washing machines at college. Eventually, the rubber stopper on the bottom disintegrated and the joy of dropping a coin into the money slot was a thing of the past. But I wasn’t ready yet to part with this rosy-cheeked piglet with the endearing smile. So, I carried her from one home to the next, knowing someday I’d find her a new owner. Who could resist that face?
I posted the bank on Craigslist and soon after received an e-mail from a woman (also named Holly) who thought the smile on the piggy bank reminded her of her husband–and that made her smile. Her story charmed me, and even though that little bank no longer sits on my dresser, I have a permanent memory of its silly little smile.
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© 2009 Good Karma Housekeeping. Because less really is more.
