Do something good for the Earth Every Day!
Celebrate April by spending time outside, pick up litter, and use less plastic. See if you can spot a butterfly or hear birds singing. Plants are sprouting, enjoy! Actions for Happiness has an Active April calendar. Happy April!
“If we can’t change the circumstances, perhaps we can alter our attitudes.” Dr. Dale Anderson
The events of the last few weeks in the U.S. Capitol are depressing. This doctor was in the Startribune this week, I hope you can find a way to brighten your day. The Actions For Happiness calendar follows.
Dr. Anderson outlines ideas to be happy in his book, “Never Act Your Age.” They include:
• Maintain good posture in order to present yourself in an upbeat matter. There are lots of techniques for practicing good posture — including the classic book on the head — but Anderson suggests that whenever you feel yourself slumping, take three steps backward. Your body will instinctively adjust its alignment, raising your head, neck and shoulders.
• Keep your eyes wide open. Be aware of what’s going on around you, searching, exploring and connecting. Mindfulness!
• Smile, even if you’re wearing a mask. Keep your forehead and cheeks up. Strive to appear radiant and alert.
• Do something that makes you feel better. Go for a walk. Call an old friend. Turn on upbeat music. Surround yourself with pleasing aromas. I would add, find beauty in your day!
• Shake up your routine. Sit in a different chair at the dinner table. Brush your teeth with the opposite hand. “Welcome new, novel and challenging encounters.”
“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.”
―
“Our democracy isn’t about any individual, even a president—it’s about you” Barack Obama
Special days in January: It is a historic month for the United States, giving us all hope! Let’s start by telling the truth, being kind, and working for justice.
January 5, Senate elections in Georgia
January 6, Congress meets to certify votes for the new U. S. president
January 7, 1789, The first U.S. election for president was held
January 8, Clean off your desk day!
January 14, Bald Eagle Day
January 15, Martin Luther King’s Birthday
January 18, MLK Holiday
January 20, Inauguration Day, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in as president and vice president of the United States.
From the Actions for Happiness group ideas for January 2021:
How can we be happier in 2021? Things have been really tough over the last year and we’re still in difficult and uncertain times. This January, we’re encouraging everyone to focus on small daily actions to create more happiness for ourselves and others. We can’t change the situation, but we can choose to show kindness and respond positively whenever possible.
“Small acts when multiplied by millions or people, can transform the world!” Greenpeace
Here is the Actions for Happiness calendar for January. Also, add acts of Earth kindness everyday!
Every act of kindness creates a ripple, spread it now!
We don’t have to agree on anything to be kind!
“As long as you live, keep learning how to live!” Seneca
Be curious, ask questions, listen, volunteer, read a new book, take a new class, meet a new person, try something new!
What new things would you like to learn? I love this month’s happiness calendar. It’s about learning something new. A friend of mine attends the University Of Minnesota every weekday to study French, just for fun. She’s curious and learning something new! There is so much to learn and enjoy about the Earth and about difference cultures and ideas. So much to learn about science and geography, about history and literature, and on and on. I hope the below calendar makes you curious and helps you learn some new things. I hope it helps you set new goals, and that you have a “New Things November.”
Sundays: Super Sunday! A perfect day for kindness. How can you show people they are special to you, and that you are thinking of them?
Mondays: Make It Respectful Monday! Demand people show you respect, and show them respect back. Aim high, never gossip, lie, bully or make fun of people. Compliment, and active listen.
Tuesdays: Good Thoughts Tuesday! Give yourself a boost of positive energy. Enjoy the day and have fun. Turn off politics, Facebook and Twitter.
Wednesdays: Zero Waste Wednesday! Bring your lunch, use only reusable dishes, glasses and utensils. Cook your dinner, no take-out, and no wasted food! If possible leave your car at home. Have fun being good to the Earth!
Thursdays: Thankful Thursday! Think of all the people you are thankful for. How many times you can say, “Thank you.”
Fridays: Listen/Friendship Friday! Check in with an old friend or make a new friend. Listen and ask questions.
Saturdays: Smile Saturday! The more you smile the happier and better you feel. Good luck!
Optimistic OctoberSundays: Super Sunday! A perfect day for kindness. How can you show people they are special to you, and that you are thinking of them?
Mondays: Make It Respectful Monday! Demand people show you respect, and show them respect back. Aim high, never gossip, lie, bully or make fun of people. Compliment, and active listen.
Tuesdays: Good Thoughts Tuesday! Give yourself a boost of positive energy. Enjoy the day and have fun. Turn off politics, Facebook and Twitter.
Wednesdays: Zero Waste Wednesday! Bring your lunch, use only reusable dishes, glasses and utensils. Cook your dinner, no take-out, and no wasted food! If possible leave your car at home. Have fun being good to the Earth!
Thursdays: Thankful Thursday! Think of all the people you are thankful for. How many times you can say, “Thank you.”
Fridays: Listen/Friendship Friday! Check in with an old friend or make a new friend. Listen and ask questions.
Saturdays: Smile Saturday! The more you smile the happier and better you feel. Good luck!
There is so much anxiety and frustration with our elected leaders. In August, I hope you can step back some frustration, be kind to yourself, and be kind to the people in your world. Let’s work to make things happier and kinder. Below are my actions for more kindness and happiness. Also, Action For Happiness has a new Altruistic August calendar. See below.
Action For Happiness Calendar
Happy December! Kindness is the light of happiness and of life!
There are many ways to spread kindness, and I like many of the Kindness Calendars on the internet. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Friday, December 1, Do something good for the earth, go plastic free, go for a walk and smile at the people you meet.
Saturday, December 2, How can you help 
someone who needs help? Give rides to the grocery store, babysit, bring someone a dinner.
Sunday, December 3, List three things you are thankful for.
Monday, December 4, National Sock Day: Donate socks to a homeless shelter.
Tuesday, December 5, Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while, an aunt or uncle, cousin or friend.
Wednesday, December 6, Listen to people with eye contact.
Thursday, December 7, Be thankful for grandfathers and fathers who fought in WWII, and donate money to AmnestyInternational
A good deed a day!
Check out the Kindness calendar
It is always possible to be kind!
Twenty Good News Stories:
http://www.interestingshit.com/nature/good-news-stories/
This is my occasional series on happy good news.
Health4earth 