Lori Deschene

by Lori Deschene

One of my favorite parts of blogging in this niche is the opportunity to connect with people who believe in possibilities and happiness, and put their hearts into sharing things they’ve learned.

Men and women who aren’t afraid to live out loud, and understand failing is an opportunity to grow. People who don’t mind being vulnerable if it helps someone else become stronger or more self-aware.

Those people hold me up when I have trouble practicing what I preach.

I imagine you already know some of them; they all create the kind of work that makes a difference in people’s lives. I’m honored to share their thoughts here, and possibly introduce you to some bloggers you don’t yet know.

Belinda Munoz of The Halfway Point has quickly become one of my favorites. I was instantly impressed by her willingness to initiate philosophical conversations while providing practical tips. Also, I have to admit, she’s one of the best writers I’ve found in the blogosphere—clear, concise, and specific. In a recent post she suggested 50 ideas to do something nice and unexpected for a stranger. The list includes:

• Put a quarter in a meter, any meter, that’s about to expire.
• Leave a copy of a really great book you’ve read in a cafe for someone else to enjoy.
• Be nice to the customer service people who are trying to help you with your technological difficulties.
• Tip your restaurant server generously.
• Thank the cooks, waitstaff and bussers personally.
• Say something nice or funny or goofy to the toll booth attendant (like, “Don’t drive too fast, now” or “Glad to have encountered you today”, or something less hokey.)
• Forgive a driver directing road rage at you.
• Buy or pack a meal for a homeless person (or give him/her your to-go box from a restaurant)
• Give a warm coat to a homeless person.
• Offer to do pro bono work on a project where your skills are needed.

Read Belinda’s 40 other ideas to pay it forward here.

Dani of Positively Present has been a source of inspiration since I first started blogging. We both began around the same time, with similar ideas about mindfulness and positivity. I am amazed she finds the time to write two different blogs, and both with such honesty and passion. Earlier this year she wrote a post with 50 suggestions to spread your happiness (it’s contagious, you know!) That list includes:

• Throw away your bad mood.
• Smile at random strangers.
• Talk to someone you don’t know.
• Hold the door for others.
• Think before you speak.
• Give someone a compliment.
• Answer the phone cheerfully.
• Tell yourself you’re awesome.
• Listen attentively to others.
• Share a great song with a friend.

Read Dani’s 40 other ideas to spread a happy virus here.

Tristan Lee of From Bottom Up writes a fabulous blog about becoming your personal best. I find his writing insightful and inspiring, and I appreciate that he shares himself so generously. He recently accumulated a list of 50 random moments to enjoy—many that resonated with me. That list includes:

• Walking in a quiet and beautiful park.
• Talking to a friend about what you did over the weekend.
• Cuddling over a blanket while watching a scary movie.
• Tasting butterscotch ice cream.
• Saying “I do” to a future spouse.
• Kissing somebody’s plush lips for the first time.
• Feeling the warmth of a person’s hug.
• Having the most money in Monopoly.
• Saying “goodbye” to parents as you move out.
• Staying up until 5 AM doing a paper while drinking loads of coffee.

Read Tristan’s 40 other random moments to enjoy here.

Ayo Olaniyan of Discovering Purpose—a site designed to help you find meaning in life—has mastered the art of writing 50-Ways lists. He’s written so many amazing ones I wasn’t quite sure which to choose for this post. I’ve opted for a guest post of his in which he offers 50 ways to build your optimism. The list includes:

• Be realistic about your expectations.
• Accept the past, manage the present and work hard towards the future.
• Seek for a ray of light/hope in a negative situation. It’s a bit difficult considering all you are going through, but there’s always an opportunity lurking somewhere in the dark.
• Utilize what you have for now and aspire to grow in every area of your life, remembering you can only swallow food in bits and pieces before taking another big bite.
• Be authentic, be yourself and stop hiding behind the MASK of pretence.
• Get infected by being in a network or company of constructive people, because optimism is positively contagious.
• Have a dream, believe in it and do everything possible under the sun to run with it.
• Accept you are human with imperfections.
• Express love towards other people.
• Be selective of what you read, hear or watch from the media. Excessive media influence could dampen your spirits.

Read Ayo’s 40 other ideas to build your optimism here.

Although Bud Hennekes is only 18, he shares a lot of wisdom on his site, A Boundless World. The site’s 8 major themes—including health, habits, and purpose—are wonderful guideposts for living a meaningful life. Earlier this year, he wrote a post I really enjoyed that listed 50 simple ways to improve your mood. It includes:

• Icecream! (In moderation of course)
• People watch
• Travel
• Read motivational quotes
• Stop seeking approval
• Ride a roller coaster
• Stop reading the news
• Bake
• Declutter
• Connect with nature

Read Bud’s 40 other ideas to improve your mood here.

Sherri of Serene Journey, co-founder of Zen Family Habits, writes “simple tips to enjoy life.” Simple though they may be, her ideas convey a passion for living with joy and authenticity. One of my favorite posts on her site offered 50 suggestions to make today shine. Ideas include:

• Enjoy a sunset.
• Walk barefoot in the grass.
• Dance in the rain.
• Enjoy the feeling and smell of clean sheets.
• Smile at a stranger.
• Have a killer cup of coffee.
• Splurge on your favorite wine.
• Crack a cold beer on a hot day.
• Listen to your favorite music.
• Play with your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews.

Read Sherri’s 40 other ides to make today shine here.

Vincent of Health Money Success covers a wide variety of personal development topics, from health and happiness to productivity. If you haven’t found any new people here, you may enjoy his post, Top 50 Personal Development Bloggers. But that’s not the main post I’m referencing here. One of my favorites on his site listed 50 ways to make yourself happy. Ideas include:

• Have your passion as your career. If you are passionate in your career, you are mixing play with work which makes your job much more enjoyable.
• Stay healthy.
• Participate in community events.
• Stop worrying.
• Be thankful.
• Count your blessings.
• Exercise regularly.
• Volunteer in charity work.
• Provide to those in need.
• Forgive yourself.

Read Vincent’s 40 other ideas to make yourself happy here.

I originally intended to list 100 ideas, and include 10 bloggers, but that would make this post far too long for my attention span—and I only write posts I would actually read myself.

Thank you Belinda, Dani, Tristan, Ayo, Bud, Sherri, and Vincent for being you and sharing it.

Photos by Alex E. Proimos, -RobW-, Per Ola Wiberg (Powi), mimentza, Pink Sherbet Photography

Wait–it’s not over! There are 10 days left in Round 1 of the SAM-e “Good Mood Blogger” contest. I’d like to get 500 votes today to stay ahead. Could you please help by voting here and spreading the word? (It just takes one click, and you can vote once a day.) Leave a comment here for a chance to win my Good Mood Giveaway. And lastly, subscribe at the top of the page if you enjoyed this post. Have a great day friends!

Other posts you may also enjoy:

• 50 Things You Can Control Right Now
• 50 Ways to Show You Care Without Spending a Dime
• 30 Ways You Impress and Inspire Me

Tags: enjoy, happiness, happy, improvement, Inspiration