Laugh at yourself

Keep things in perspective and learn to laugh at yourself more often

I never exaggerate, me

I remember one time in the garden

When me mate pushed me out of a tree

I swear it was high as a mountain

But I never exaggerate, me.

I remember one day at the seaside

A tsunami came out of the sea

Lucky that I’m good at surfin’

But I never exaggerate, me.

I remember one day at the sweetshop

They were giving out chocolates for free

I ate so much I was sick on the spot

But I never exaggerate, me.

Picture from "The Jenie Jazzles" (C) David J. Mason

I remember one day on the footie pitch

This tackle that took off me knee

They managed to sew it back on again

But I never exaggerate, me.

I remember one day in the playground

I found this strange looking key

Then I broke into school at the weekend

But I never exaggerate, me.

I remember one day in the classroom

I think it was quarter to three

A monster crept in and took me away

But I never exaggerate, me.

I remember one day I was out in the park

When my friend he was stung by a bee

His head swelled up to six times its size

But I never exaggerate, me. 

No I never, ever, ever exaggerate

Not in a billion years, me.

(C) David J. Mason "Smile"

Goodreads quote of the day for me:

“I laugh at myself.
I don't take myself completely seriously.
I think that's another quality that people

 have to hold on to... you have to laugh, 

especially at yourself.” - Madonna

Sit quietly and do very little

Find some time to do very little

Perhaps read a book - try poetry because you can dip in and out more easily

Lost in a Book

I was once completely lost in a book

Honest – the story was really that good

They sent out a search party

But they couldn’t find me

They sent out the army and navy

But they couldn’t see me

They sent out sniffer dogs

But they couldn’t smell me

And they listened very carefully

But they just couldn’t hear me.

I finished the book

And came out of the story

They were so pleased

For now they had found me.

And why not tell us

Where you were going?

But stories are like that

There’s no way of knowing.

(C) 2013 David J. Mason 

Or listen to some music - try classical music (you may recognise the theme in this piece)

And from Goodreads quotes:

“When you arise in the morning think of what

a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...”

― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

In times of great sadness find hope

The wonderful British actor Bob Hoskins has died at the age of 71 - a great loss.  His daughter has written a blog post "11 lessons from my Dad".  It is very moving and I thought that it would be good here on my Happy Blog even though it is a sad occasion.

Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends:

“Only people who are capable of loving strongly can also suffer great sorrow, but this same necessity of loving serves to counteract their grief and heals them.”

― Leo Tolstoy

Money and happiness

A Handful of Happiness

World at my feet

Or resting in my lappy

Live in a mansion

With a butler chappy

But what don’t I have?

I don’t have happy.

I’ve millions myself

And a billionaire Pappy

Got a platinum bath

And a gold plate tappy

But what don’t I have?

I don’t have happy.

Look like a star

Dress real snappy

Folks they just love me

Life’s one long clappy

But what don’t I have?

I don’t have happy.

And now I’m getting older

I just want to swappy

I’d give up all the other apps

For a handful of happy.

And from Goodreads Quotes, a little ironic wit from both sides:

“If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.”

― Dorothy Parker

“Money can't buy happiness, but it can make you awfully

 comfortable while you're being miserable.”

― Clare Boothe Luce

Funny Frenchmen with beach towels

Smiling and laughing are good for your health.  This comedy routine had me doing both.  Changing on the beach will never be the same again.

And a gallic touch from Goodreads Quotes:

“Laughter is sunshine, it chases winter from the human face.”

― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

Plan a holiday but don't necessarily take one

I have just taken a lovely holiday in the sunshine and feel so much better.  I find that planning trips is very therapeutic even if I don't eventually take them.

Happy holidays to everyone

The Journeyman

The crackle on the gravel

The rolling of the stone

Footprints on the shifting sand

Where the journeyman must roam.

Wishes on the water

Mind up in the mountains

The journeyman his only need

To taste the quenching fountain

Tramps across the countryside

To travel the unknown

He trusts the earth beneath his feet

The journeyman is home

To where his heart is

He who knows much more

Whose eyes are always fixed upon
The ever open door.

Copyright David J. Mason 2012- Inspire to Write

Quote from Goodreads:

“...reality, however utopian, is something from which people feel the need of taking pretty frequent holidays....”

― Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

Help children find happiness

Having read Leoarna's excellent post in her blog "not different but interesting", I felt this poem complemented her observations and feelings but hopefully there is a little light shining in the last verse.

We all need to help children find a way to their own happiness  This is what I try to do in my book "Ten Ways to Happiness"

- Mr Smile

Helping to make a better World

I’m no good at football

They’ll never pick me

Can’t run or jump or kick or throw

I’m no good at PE.

I’m no good at science

Don’t know a lot you know

I’ll never be a professor

And dress in a white coat.

I’m not good at literacy

Can’t write it down on paper

You know I’d really love to

But I’d never make an author.

I’m no good at DT

Can’t make things with these hands

Or think of what I want to build

No good at making plans.

And I’m no good at maths

Can’t add, subtract, divide

Can’t stop the numbers swimming

Before my very eyes.

I’m no good at anything

No I’m no good at all

I don’t know why I bother

Coming to this school.

But no – look you’re forgetting

None of these things matter

What really counts is how you

Make this world a little better.

(C) 2013 David J. Mason from "I know about the Staff Room"

Courtesy of Goodreads Quotes:
“The music of hope is everywhere, but to hear it, you need to ignore the muddy jangle of life's hassles.”― Christine M Knight, Life Song