On Tuesday Jo, from JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE tagged me to tell you five things that make me happy. I was seriously thinking on delaying this post since the things that make me happy are related to recent or current unhappy events. But yesterday my "Funny Bone" Guide reminded me I must stay in the Here and Now. Here and Now I've not lost these things yet. That's reason enough to smile and celebrate.
1. My parrot and my dog. They are not my pets. They are my babies in all but blood. I was there when my dog was born and I got my parrot when he still needed a nest to sleep. I'm extremely emphatic with animals (being a dragon, it comes natural.) My communication with my dog and parrot is 90% more successful and effective than with humans. They bring me joy with their antics and their unconditional love.
2. Making others laugh. I am a die-hard believer that laughter can work miracles in the body, the mind and the spirit. I've studied, practiced and witnessed all the benefits that may come from laughing. My funny bone is in such a good shape, many find hard to believe me when I confess I am a real nasty piece of dragon work when angry. The more I need it, the more I seek to make others laugh. Laughter like good and bad deeds have a boomerang effect. They always return to the source, but multiplied.
3. Achieving something I believed beyond my capacity. I love challenge and I find very hard not to respond to one (as long as it makes sense.) Surprising myself with success over an "impossible" or "nearly impossible" task (on my standards) puts wings in my heart and a grin on my face.
4. Accomplished Creation. Art, be it painting, drawing, writing, dancing or sculpting, a finished work that meets and surpasses my initial expectations makes me happy. Mostly when it demanded great effort and long exhausting hours.
5. The Sea. It is the Ying to my Yang, I guess. The sea brings immediate peace to my inner chaotic fire. It soothes me, washes away my concerns and just helps me breathe at ease. It improves my mood and does wonders with my general health. The Sea is more like an entity to me. One I highly respect, I love, I salute and I long for.
I must tag five people. I've been a bit too disconnected from Blogville these days due to the roller coaster my life has become. That means I really don't know who got tagged already. I hope I am not getting anyone tagged twice. In any case, I would love to read their happy five list.
Donna Hole
Julie Luek
Mike L. Swift
Laura Eno
Tammy Theriault
Have an excellent weekend. I go back now to where I came from. When I become insufferable to myself, it's my cue to take a leave of absence. My dwarves are 600 times more entertaining to talk to than me. They'll run the show while I deal with what I have in my paws at the moment and its outcome, whatever it may be. I leave you dragon hugs enough for several days. Be well, stay safe and know you're great.
Hi Al - great that you posted about happiness and improving that state .. pets always give love and their antics can make us howl with laughter .. laughter when ill does help and improve life - it sounds as though the dragon will hug you through .. with huggable thoughts and a smiley or two .. or more .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteNo, we like talking to you best!
ReplyDeleteAnimals are more understanding and forgiving. They listen better as well.
Hopefully my post today will add to your happiness, my friend.
I love animals and am only sad we don't have pets any more. We like to hear the dragon talk, but the dwarves are always fun. I do hope you can work your way back to some kind of tranquility.
ReplyDeleteJO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
These are 5 great things! Animals are the best! And making others laugh always makes my day.
ReplyDeleteCreation is a wonderful thing.
ReplyDeletePets are not pets - they are family. Our cats Spunky and Rocko are our kids.
nice...have a great weekend as well...the act of creation, whatever the medium would def be on my list as well....and i agree with the sentiment on pets....though i think it would be cool to have a parrot...
ReplyDeleteThanks for thinking of me when you think of happy lists! I shall endeavor to bring a smile to your face with my choices.
ReplyDeleteOur pets can be the closest of family, conscious choices we make to care for them, and the love they give to us in return. It's trust - the ultimate emotion.
Many occasions of laughter to you, my friend, and chances to tap your funny bone throughout the day.
Animals can bring so much happiness and laughter is one of the best medicines to lighten our hearts.
ReplyDeleteI agree Pets are family, when I lost both of mine it was terrible.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Great list. I love that you consider your dog and parrot your babies in all but blood. I feel the same way about my pets.
ReplyDeleteOK I love animals-- LOVE my dog-- he is my daily companion and gives me lots of lovie breaks. I love the ocean-- so wish I lived nearer to it (I enjoy my mts too, though). And yes, fulfilling our creative destiny makes me happy as well. And achieving something beyond our capacity-- Al, I'm working on a couple very difficult life-tasks (one of them quite difficult, emotionally) right now and this one inspired me to not give up. Thank you. And thanks for tagging me. I'm going to look forward to this one! SHs.
ReplyDeleteNumber one and two on your list are up there on mine too. I love animals and my pets become my babies. I have to say, making someone else laugh, ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. I love to entertain people- ever if that laugh is at my expense (which it usually is b/c I'm a train wreck) but it helps me to make other people laugh and laughing at myself reminds me not to ever take myself too seriously. And I love to be reminded of that.
ReplyDeleteI'm a lover of the ocean as well. To have a beach house from which to do my writing with a lovely view of waves beating against the shore is a long-held dream of mine. Someday, God willing! :-)
ReplyDeleteSome Dark Romantic
Keep working that funny bone Al, it is amazingly therapeutic. I agree, the ocean is very majestic and I always love visiting the beach.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend! :)
Big Hugs back!!!
ReplyDeleteThe sea is wonderful, and laughter is always the best medicine.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Animals are so understanding and selfless. Laughter is indeed the best medicine. Hugs and take care, Al.
ReplyDeleteWell, Father Dragon, you have indeed succeeded in making me laugh frequently. And I'm very glad that you have your babies, your parrot and your dog, to bring you joy when us humans cannot. Have a great weekend ;)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Al! You've got some wonderful things to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteI hear you on animals bringing you joy. Mine have always been a source of joy regardless of what is going on in my life. I'm always looking for laughter. I appreciate creative outlets and most people that I know have more than one outlet for creativity. Good list. And as Alex say, YOU ROCK!
ReplyDeleteSia McKye OVER COFFEE
Come back soon! The dwarfs are fun, but they are no replacement for the dragon. I agree with all your happy things...pets, the sea, the laughter...they are all such good things!!
ReplyDeleteWell, you haven't made me laugh, exactly, with your post - far better than that, you made me smile (my pets are my babies; I love to make people somehow happier or more comforted, creating is a wonderful thing, doing something difficult just confirms one's self-worth, and the sea... Ah, I can't be without it!)
ReplyDeleteBest of good wishes for all, and thank you for the smile! (The rest of your blog does make me laugh in spots, as intended! Diana
a dragon who ikes the sea? fascinating! the dragons in my next book get their fire doused in water. they stay away from it!
ReplyDeletehope things come to a happy resolution.see you soon!
Thank you Sir!
ReplyDeleteMy dad believed laughter (and faith) is the best medicine also. He lived about 60 years longer than the doctors predicted in his youth (he had congenital heart failure) and several times during the last about 20 years they gave him 6 months. He died peacefully and painlessly at age 78 after having lived a full, satisfying life.
I also love the sea; just sitting at the beach, watching the waves roll in and out for hours is soothing. I wish I was there now. Perhaps I'll go to Utube and get an ocean fix.
Have a great weekend Al. Be at peace with yourself.
......dhole
Dragon that just made MY yin to your yang...or something like that. Thanks SO much!!
ReplyDeleteDragon that just made MY yin to your yang...or something like that. Thanks SO much!!
ReplyDeleteI have always been an animal person since a little boy, maybe it was growing up on a farm.
ReplyDeleteLaughter is some of the best medicine you can find, I agree. Nothing just makes your whole world light up, like humor. Creating art in some form comes close to this feeling.
While I love the look sound and smell of the sea, I rend to be more of a mountain person. Still nature is awesome— literally often inspiring awe from me.
I loved reading your five things, especially about the dog and the parrot. They sound so cute! :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Sounds like you're taking a well-deserved break.
ReplyDeleteThese are great... especially the laughter part... I need to laugh more:)
ReplyDeleteRest assured that you accomplish #2 on a daily basis. Your wit and humor are beyond compare. Sir Jeff stands ready to guard your lair while you do whatever it is that dragons do. But if it's #2, let me know. I dare not interrupt a dragon doing #2.
ReplyDeleteGreetings my friend,
ReplyDeleteIndeed, your parrot and your dog are not pets. They are cherished family members who show unconditional love.
Your happy thoughts are uplifting. And those you have tagged are all folks I know. That makes me very happy. You keep smiling and laughing and have a nice, reflective break. You promise?
Your friend,
Gary :)
Love your happy list!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good break--you deserve it!
I too love all you shared!
ReplyDeleteI have taught 2 birds to talk, my fish and hound speak my language.
I have a special bond with animals. I grew up by the sea, when I moved away I could not
Breathe. I love art and the whole creative process
Are we related?!
; )
And I love to make others laugh
I love my pets...children...so I know how you feel. Thanks for tagging me, and I'll do this soon. The schedule is sorta hectic right now. We seem to have the same principles when it comes to things that make us happy.
ReplyDeleteI love your happy list!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you 150%+ on the laughter... it's the cure for all ills. I love my dancing, and indulge myself at least once a week! And I live 2 minutes from the sea...
Enjoy your weekend!
Writer In Transit
Great things that make you happy list! May your life stabilize and be the joy that you help to spread. Writer’s Mark
ReplyDeleteAnyone who wants to make people laugh has a good heart. And I love that you love your parrot and your dog so much. I feel that way about Katie Cat too.
ReplyDeleteI'm here from Alex's post. I agree with number 3 especially. Doing something you didn't think was possible is the best feeling.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYour affection towards your furry and feathery children is heartwarming. I have dogs, which mean as much to me (if not more) than anyone I know. We could learn a lot from animals of only we were to open our eyes and our hearts.
ReplyDeleteLove your five things. I couldn't agree more about Laughter. I have experienced and many other people who are ill (or were ill) say that laughter has been the best medicine toward their Recovery. I believe it. I think it actually changes our internal make-up. I also think that being Challenged is good for all of us. Many great things would never have been accomplished had no one thought to challenge someone. So, that is a wonderful thing to include on your list. Love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I should call you Al or Father Dragon :) I came over via Alex J, and I've seen you over at Roland's. I can see why they say such nice things about you!
ReplyDeleteI have a serious thing for dragons. According to the Chinese zodiac, I was born in a dragon year. While I'm not crazy about the sea, I completely adore the rain.
Anyway, I love your list! And it's nice to meet you :)
Good choices. Creating art on whatever form is very rewarding, even if no one else ever sees it.
ReplyDeletemood
I love the way you are positive in negative situations! I should learn off you and call you maybe Dragon sensei!? I hope that life will easy up on you very soon, I don't like seeing you like this!
ReplyDeleteHere I nominated you for a couple of awards. The first one in particular is very important to me! http://frannychallenge.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/other-blog-awards-thanks/
Pets are such an important part of our life and families.
ReplyDelete