Week #250 – Summer Fun List: It’s Fourth of July Week!!! (Do you know where your fireworks are?)

Greetings, Tribe — and Happy Fourth of July Week!

We are counting down the Fridays between now and Labor Day Weekend with some short “Summer Fun” suggestions because — I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — while many adults are busy planning their kids’ summer fun, they often overlook their own!

But with the Fourth of July less than a week away, I bet you know right where you are going to be this coming week — because nothings says sum-sum-summertime like a good fireworks show!

So instead of planning…I simply want you to share!

Holidays are one of the loneliest times for someone who is away from home, new to town, or suddenly out on their own.  And at the height of the summer, when everyone else seems to be having the greatest time ever, it can feel like you’re not included or somehow missed the boat.

Fireworks are one of those elusive festivities.  Google all you want…finding out the “right” place to be, at the right time, on the right day can feel desperate and maddening.

So help a neighbor out, will you?!  If you’re in the know about where/when the best shows in your area are…don’t keep it to yourself!  Spread the info — and share what you know!

(Better yet, invite someone to watch them with you!)

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Do you know where the fireworks are?  If so, don’t keep all the fun to yourself!  Social media makes it easier than ever to get the word out.  Share the info with your neighbors, friends, and on your networks.  Better yet, invite someone to watch them with you.  There is enough division going on right now in our beautiful country…reach across the yard, the street, the hallway at school, or the corridor at work…and share what you know!

Spread Happyness — share your thoughts in the comments!!!

6/28/19 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Week #249 – Summer Fun: The Power of…Playlists!

This week I’m flashing back to Week #37 and The Power of…the Playlist!

During one particular summer growing up…a newly released movie called “Back to the Future” featured a little ditty by a guy named Huey Lewis.  “The Power of Love” became a mega-hit that year…and you could hear it playing EVERYWHERE you went.

Every time I hear it, it’s a reminder of that time — probably the first summer my brother and I ever went to Great Adventure, where it seemed to be playing every single time. (FYI — Great Adventure is what people from New Jersey used to call Six Flags!)

Today, it carries more than just the memories of a theme park. Now it reminds me of my brother and all the summers we shared together. All the miles we drove to ride roller coasters and water slides and watch fireworks.  Memories that are just as much alive today as the day he died…and will be forever.

Which, strangely, brings a smile to my face. Because that’s the Power of Love…indeed!

Your assignment for the week: What’s on your summer playlist?  What songs take you back to good times, fun times, happy times?  As a kid, we’d assemble all those songs individually and then record them on a “mix” tape.  (Maybe we’d even give them to someone special!)  Now your phone can do it for you!  With today’s technology we are never far away from happy memories.  Assemble yourself a playlist…and remind your body (and your brain) how it feels to have the time of your life!

Spread Happyness — roll down your windows and blast that music!

(And share your favorite summer songs in the comments!)

6/21/19 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Week #248 – This Sunday is Father’s Day! (So remember: the best gifts start with an “F!”)

In early May, I like to give you a heads-up that Mother’s Day is just around the corner.  Well — June is once again underway, and I wanted to take another moment this year to repeat my little public service announcement to those of you who are celebrating Father’s Day:

PLAN AHEAD!

But before you go out and buy another necktie or coffee mug or singing fish, take a moment to stop and think about what the man in your life really wants.

(No…not that!)

The other things!

Just like the moms I polled for Mother’s Day, I asked the guys:
What is it that you REALLY want/wish for on Father’s Day?

I have to be honest, getting answers was like pulling teeth.  While over 50 ladies responded within hours of my Mother’s Day question, I had to ask the guys three separate times — and then only received answers when another guy intervened on my behalf.  (Why is that, guys?!)

Like the ladies, most guys don’t want something that can be bought in a store.  Hell, most of them don’t even want to leave the house!  A few brave ones even told me: “Nothing.  To do nothing.”  That doesn’t make for a sexy wish-list!

It took some arm-twisting — but a brave group of guys took me up on the question and told me what they REALLY wanted on Father’s Day.  And it can be summed up in four words:

FOOD, FUN, FAMILY, and a FRIGGIN’ NAP!

FOOD: From morning until night — most dads responded with some sort of food request: breakfast on the deck, donuts, waffles, burgers on the grill, ice cream in the fridge, and beer in the cooler.  Rather than buy your dad something at the mall, head to the local grocery store instead and pick him up the makings of a king-sized breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, OJ, and coffee), a deli lunch (fresh bread, sandwich fixings, side salads, chips, cookies, and deli pickles), or a Grill-fest dinner (burgers and dogs, ribs and chicken, or steaks and potatoes).  Make sure you back it up with his favorite dessert — you know, the one just for him (even if the kids don’t like it!).

FUN: Whether it’s a day at the park, a trip to the ballgame, an outing on the golf course, an inside day at the science museum, or the latest action movie — dads do want to have fun!  (As long as they’re with the ones they love!)

FAMILY: In almost every category (except one, see below) — the dads I heard from all wanted to spend time with their families!  Laugher, cuddles, and a few “I love you, dads” don’t hurt either!

THE NAP: Moms aren’t alone in their request for a little extra sleep!  Napping was the number one response I received from dads, too!  Extra sleep goes a LONG way!  Make sure you get some on Father’s Day!  😉

Your Happyness Challenge for the week ahead: Father’s Day is June 16th!  Do you know what the man in your life really wants?  Use this list to jump start the conversation!  Let HIM create the honey-do list for the day!  Work out a list that includes things each member of the family can check off: food, family, fun, and that all important NAP!  Just like Mother’s Day, the most important thing is to PLAN AHEAD!  Don’t leave things to the last minute.  And if it is a necktie or another coffee mug — wear it or drink from it in good health!

[A big THANK YOU to all the Dreamers & Builders who took the time to respond to my poll — and whose honest sharing made this post possible!]

Spread Happyness — PLAN AHEAD!  And share YOUR Father’s Day ideas in the comments!

[This post originally appeared on Week #91.]

6/14/19 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com

Week #247 – Summer Fun Lists! (How do you plan to have FUN this summer?)

Every year about this time — I ask you to share your ideas and plans for FUN over the summer.

Because for the next TWELVE WEEKS — while adults are usually busy planning their kids’ summer fun — they often overlook their own!

And I want to make sure YOU have fun again this summer!

I’ll say it again: I know you have things to do, to see, to get done.  Maybe you’re even planning things so that your kids/family/friends/coworkers are sure to have a good time.

Don’t forget to make plans for YOU to have fun, too!

Because as I said last year: the best way to teach others to have fun — is to have fun yourself!

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: How do you plan to have FUN this summer?  We have a full TWELVE WEEKS (thirteen Fridays) ahead of us before Labor Day!  And while I know some of you may groan at the reminder that summer is limited…the seasons serve to remind us that time is fleeting.  Not just with weather…but with life.  We never know what tomorrow, or next month, or next year will bring.  Don’t let it pass you by!  Make this the summer you take that trip, cross off that bucket list item, make that leap, try that thing, get serious about that project, or just get plain silly!  Start a list, brainstorm with the family, share it with friends!  And report back — because it’s no fun to keep all the fun to yourself!  😉

(Here are 37 random ideas to get you started.)

How do you plan to have FUN this summer?!

Spread Happyness — share your thoughts or ideas in the comments (or send me an email) and keep the list growing!

6/7/19 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com