2020 has been challenging for everyone. And though sometimes the days can seem grim, each day and in every situation, we have a choice. We can choose to focus on the negative, or we can squeeze all the joy we can out of each moment.

Let 2021 be the year you choose joy!

Consider these fresh thoughts and ideas to fill your life with more happiness and joy:

Laugh at Least Once a Day

Laughter releases endorphins in the body and brings instant joy into your life. Need something to laugh about? Watch an old sit com, or get a book of jokes from the library.

Stay Grateful

Reflect on your daily blessings and find gratitude in them. Some people keep a gratitude journal and write down everything they are grateful for each day. It can change your life!

Find Creative Activities That Make You Happy

What do you enjoy? Tap into your natural passions with a new hobby that brings you pleasure. last year, I explored jewelry making, art journaling and basket weaving. I love them all!

Reconnect with Nature at Least Once a Week

It’s important to enjoy nature and find time to explore it. Plus, a half hour walk each day will lead to better health.

Volunteer to Help a Local Organization

Instead of writing a check and forgetting about the charity, connect with a local organization that needs help. Your heart will be filled with joy as you help others. Getting out of your self is a great way to add to your happiness.

Express Your Appreciation to Others

Ensure that others know you appreciate their efforts. Making them feel good makes you feel good too! One year, I wrote a nearly weekly note to people who had touched my life over the years. The notes were well received and made me feel great, too!

Clarify Your Priorities

Spending time on those activities that support what’s most important to you brings you satisfaction and fulfillment. With empty nests and changing relationships, now is the time to look at what is important to you. Many of us have spent our lives making others a priority in our lives. Now, you are the priority!

Organize Events with Friends

Your friendships can be a source of joy. Try to have a virtual coffee or tea, or take a walk with a friend at least once a week.

Get Enough Sleep

Researchers have found that getting enough sleep boosts happiness levels. Have trouble sleeping? Try some meditation CDs or soothing music at bedtime, instead of the computer or television.

Stay Present in the Moment

You can find joy in the little things by enjoying each moment of the day. Does your mind race around, thinking of what’s ahead or thinking about what’s behind?

It might be hard for you to just be present in the present moment. Practice for a few minutes at a time. Expand as you can. You will find your happiness expanding as well.

Keep Your Mind Active

An active mind avoids boredom, so you can find more joy. This might take the form of reading more, taking a course or learning something new. What are the things you have always been curious about, but never had enough time to pursue?

Make New Friends

New friendships instantly add joy to your life. Become more active at your church or senior center to meet some new people as soon as it’s safe.

Give and Accept More Hugs

Hugs can lift your mood, and researchers have found hugs have a positive impact on endorphin levels. Of course, hugs have become a commodity of the past, but we must not despair. Perhaps 2021 will be full of hugs!

Encourage the People Around You

As you encourage others and help them find happiness, your own joy will increase. Are there younger people in your career you can mentor? How about younger moms who need encouragement? Never waste an opportunity to speak a word of encouragement over someone else.

Smile More

Make smiling a priority and watch joy fill your life. Other people are attracted to a positive smile, too, albeit a masked one!

Create New Goals

Find happiness in new directions and goals. Set a goal to walk greater distances, or pick up a new language. The world is your oyster!

Reconnect with Lost Family Members

Have you drifted apart from family members? Rediscovering your bond will bring happiness to both of you.

Be Selfish!

Is it selfish to take time for yourself? After a lifetime of helping and serving others, this is your time for yourself. Take that bubble bath, get that pedicure, go on that retreat. Practicing good self-care is not selfish at all.

Think About Writing Your Memoir

Are there things you would like those who come after you to remember? Are there stories you want your children or nieces and nephews to cherish? Now is the time to preserve these precious memories for the future. You will enjoy remembering them and others will delight to read them.

Do Bold Things

Are there things you have been afraid to do, or felt a lack of self-confidence over? Guess what? As someone who has lived a full life, you have nothing to prove to others and nothing to lose. Be bold!

Speak out for causes you believe in. Tell others your feelings for them. Travel, when it’s safe to do so. Taking some risks to do bold things can lead to a fuller, fun life!

Forget about New Year’s resolutions. Try to reach for all the new year joy you can in the new year. Soaking the year in joy can transform your life!

How are you creating joyful thoughts for your new year? Please share in the comments below.

Editor’s Note: This is the story created by women in our Facebook group. Enjoy reading!

Two days before Christmas, though the morning was chilly, Fanny went out to pick up her mail as she usually did. A single card was placed in her mailbox, with a golden ribbon tied on top.

Fanny picked up the card, both intrigued and careful. The front was a generic Christmas greeting though she did recognize the neighborhood office stamp in one corner. On the back side was a note, handwritten in a curly script. It read:

“Dear neighbor, we have set up a Christmas treasure hunt for all residents in our community. The game begins today, so gather your family ready for a walk and mask up. The first clue will be by a big red sign in the neighborhood!” (Mary Lee Olson)

Fanny went back inside to find her son Leo and her sister Emily gathering supplies to bake Christmas cookies. Emily had moved in with Fanny and Leo after Fanny’s husband passed away unexpectedly last year in a tragic car crash. (Helen Loretta)

Fanny enjoyed having Emily stay with them. Loosing Frank had changed everything, and the comforting presence that her sister brought for her and Leo was heartwarming. (Vinette Marie)

Fanny was excited about the neighborhood Christmas treasure hunt and asked her sister and son to join her! Since it was December and cold outside, she went to search for her warm soft gloves, hat, and favorite cozy coat. (Debbie Willis Saxe)

Ashes of Roses was not a color found in your typical crayon box, but it was Fanny’s favorite shade. Whenever Frank found something that resembled this lovely hue, he knew it was for Fanny. (Vinette Marie)

Emily and Leo were anxiously waiting for her on the front porch, so she quickly donned her favorite coat. Pocketing her hat and gloves, Fanny headed towards the front door. She would have to reminisce at another time. (Vinette Marie)

As the three of them walked down towards the street, Leo told the ladies that when he got off the school bus yesterday afternoon, he saw a red sign a couple blocks away in Mr. and Mrs. Snyder’s side yard, but he didn’t read it. They quickly strolled in that direction in hopes that that was where their adventure would start. (Carla Pelfrey)

The brisk cool air quickly brought a chill around them as they quickly rounded the corner of their street. They could see a young mother and her three young children, along with Fanny’s next door neighbors, Dennis and Judy, standing at the red sign. You could hear them all talking and pointing in different directions, which indicated that they were definitely headed to the start of this game. (Carla Pelfrey)

Gathered in huddle formation, a strategy was underway to begin the Christmas Treasure Hunt. Twelve red signs with twelve clues. “Just like the song; The Twelve Days of Christmas!” Judy piped. (Vinette Marie)

Where to begin? With this thought, Fanny noted a card fastened with a gold ribbon much like the one she had found in her mailbox. She reached behind the red sign, and retrieved their very first clue. With anticipation, Fanny loosened the ribbon of gold, and began to read the curly script. “Ornaments of glass are so pretty to see. Your next clue is a partridge perched on a pine tree.” (Vinette Marie)

The little group of three looked at each other as if the other would know which way to go. Emily gave a chuckle and told the others she was sure she saw some bird ornaments attached to the branches of the little tree down the street in front of Ruby’s Hair Salon. And just maybe, that would be where they would find their next clue. (Carla Pelfrey)

Looking down the street towards Ruby’s Hair Salon, there were many bright blue and red lights bouncing from several police cars, an ambulance and a fire truck. A crowd was standing around a large circle of crime scene tape as a police officer was yelling for everyone to stand back so they could conduct their investigation. (Carla Pelfrey)

Feeling a bit unsettled, Fanny, Emily and Leo exchanged glances as they continued their trek closer to the salon. “Can you see anything?” Fanny inquired. (Vinette Marie)

As the crowd slowly dispersed, Leo noted that the barricade tape was a brightly colored pattern of yellow and black which indicated caution or danger as he remembered his Detective Dad had explained. (Vinette Marie)

Emily caught the officer’s eye, and for a moment, she felt her cheeks flush as the gaze was returned. “What happened?” She queried. The officer responded. “Two turtle doves adorning Ruby’s salon, created a spark, and now they are gone.” (Vinette Marie)

“But hold on!” The officer chimed. There appears to be a note amongst the ashes. It was somewhat singed, but the red ribbon remained intact. Officer Bailey, aware of the Christmas Treasure Hunt, began to interpret the smoky lettering. Three French Hens, a symbol of faith, hope, and charity will soon provide some clarity. (Vinette Marie)

Once the fire had been safely extinguished, and all the smoky debris removed, witnesses realized the popular salon would remain closed for a time. “Well.” Uttered Officer Bailey. “Shall we walk on over to the soup kitchen?” Offering an extended arm to Emily, as Fanny and Leo trailed behind. (Vinette Marie)

“You go on,” Fanny said as she stopped to look back at the burned out bird clues. “I’ll find you later.” She turned and walked quickly back to the hair salon and found just what she had suspected: those ornaments didn’t spark any fire because they were plastic. Someone was deliberately destroying the Christmas Clues! (Annette St Dennis Aleshire)

“But why would someone want to ruin the fun for everyone?”, Fanny muttered. “If there is a mystery, keep asking questions”, she had heard her husband say when he was working on a case. Fanny dug her reading glasses out of her purse along with the original invitation. Maybe it would say what the prize was. Would someone be that desperate to win it? (Annette St Dennis Aleshire)

As Fanny scanned the invitation to see if a prize was mentioned, Fire Chief Mullen had returned to the scene in search of his keys. “Oh, hi there!” Uttered Fanny. “You should not be here, Miss.” The Chief exclaimed. Fanny replied, “Just looking for clues to a possible motive.” As the chief spotted his keys, he turned to Fanny and said, “An investigation is underway, but it appears to have been a kink in the wire.” (Vinette Marie)

It was getting late, and there had already been enough excitement. Feeling the day had taken an unforeseen turn, Fanny thought it best to head home taking the longer route just past the soup kitchen. As she approached, she detected a familiar looking envelope, tied with a red bow tucked just behind the door knocker. In curly script, the face of the envelope read: “Four Calling Birds…” (Vinette Marie)

Fanny used her fancy pearl-handled nail file to expertly slit the envelope. The cursive script read: Some rings make your heart skip a beat/ Other rings are good to eat. She couldn’t help laughing at the thought that the next clue might be at the Jelly Belly Donut Shop! (Annette St Dennis Aleshire)

“Mom! Mom!” Fanny looked up and saw Leo and Emily waving from a group of neighbors who were all happily singing The Twelve Days of Christmas. Emily was waving an envelope. “Come on, Mom, we’re way ahead of you. We’ve already found the ‘drummers drumming’”! (Annette St Dennis Aleshire)

Fanny linked arms with her sister and Leo and was swept along with the merry crowd. “Where are we going?”, she asked. Emily just raised her eyebrows and answered, “ Who knows? But isn’t this the most fun we’ve had in years, Fanny?” (Anette St Dennis Aleshire)

The first stars were just beginning to twinkle when Fanny saw a large crowd gathering in the park. There were tables set up with trays of Christmas cookies and several large canisters of hot chocolate and coffee. Near a giant Christmas tree, a fire pit was burning and some of the children were already toasting marshmallows. Suddenly the lights of the Christmas tree came on making the park magical.

“Friends and Neighbors, you have come to the end of your treasure hunt,” a voice boomed over a loudspeaker. “You will be the ‘Ladies Dancing’ and the ‘Lords A’Leaping’! For your enjoyment, here are the Celtic Rovers.”

Loud applause broke out as the band took their place in front of the tree and began to play a lively reel. (Anette St Dennis Aleshire)

Twice a year, Bath & Body Works pulls out all the stops and discounts holiday and everyday favorites up to 75 percent off, which new discounts throughout the week. The Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual sale for holiday 2020 is no different—actually, it might be even better. We’ve got the details on all the goods so you can game-plan your shopping trip.

Of course, deals will be online as well as in-store so if you feel safer shopping from your couch, you can still stock up on Bath & Body Works favorites. Now’s the chance to score the beloved holiday fragrances before they’re gone (until next year), as well as throwbacks including Secret Wonderland, Honeysuckle and Sensual Amber brought back just for this sale. Christmas body care will be just $4.95 and select Christmas 3-Wick Candles will be $11.95.

Source: Instagram

For the best of the best deals, you’ll want to dig for those 75 percent off products. These include body care, candles, hand soaps and tons of non-holiday items you’ll want to use all-year round. You’ll even be able to find some best-selling fall body scare scents and ones you haven’t smelled for months. It’s basically like a rummage sale where you never know exactly what you’ll find.

The sale begins Saturday, December 26. If you’re shopping in store, don’t forget your face mask and hand sanitizer and maybe even consider going on off hours to avoid the crowds. Or, there’s always delivery! As much as we want to shop and treat ourselves this year (we deserve it), we also have to stay safe too. Set your iCal and get ready to get your haul on. Then, have big New Year zoom with friends to share exactly what you got.

Tayshia Adams’ Pink Lip Gloss on The Bachelorette

The Bachelorette Season 16 Episode 13 Beauty

While Tayshia Adams’ gave her final rose to ______ (don’t worry, we won’t spoil it here for those of you who haven’t yet watched) on last night’s finale of on The Bachelorette, we’re giving our final post of the season to her shimmering pink lip gloss. Because when it comes to this something this pretty and pink, we definitely say “yes” a thousand times.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Hourglass Lipgloss in Many Shades (Hers is “Cosmic”)

Click Here For Additional Stock

*Sidenote: BBH’s Lauren swears by Hourglass for their lipgloss, foundation and powder!

Click Here For Additional Info on Her Makeup

Dress By Randi Rahm

Originally posted at: Tayshia Adams’ Pink Lip Gloss

No matter how much we take care of our responsibilities, nurture our relationships and work hard to develop a number of Plan Bs, we still occasionally find ourselves in the midst of a difficult time.

Whatever the form of that struggle, it is rarely pleasant. Even a disruption of our normal schedule or a bout with a common cold can make us feel out of control and out of sorts.

Although there is often no way to escape the problem completely, there are things we can do to ease our discomfort and even learn from the situation. Most trials we face hold a lesson for us.

Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi saw the value in learning to meet our challenges head-on. “Adversity,” he said, “is the mother of progress.” So, instead of falling apart or obsessing non-stop, there are several positive ways we can cope with our struggles.

Do or Say What You Can

Although you probably can’t eliminate the problem entirely, there are usually at least a couple of things you can do or say.

If it’s a problem in your family, you can talk to the people involved, offer help, and provide some support. If it’s a health difficulty, you can follow the advice of your doctor, ask for a second opinion, and be sure you’re taking care of yourself as much as possible.

Whether the situation calls for a hard conversation or a change in habits, do what is possible and don’t put it off. Take care of what you can, and then you have to do the hardest thing imaginable: let go of the rest.

Move on and Don’t Allow It to Take Over Your Life

Not obsessing over a difficult problem is one of our toughest challenges. If we’re worried about something, it seems natural to just keep rolling it around in our heads until we come up with a solution.

However, taking that approach can be as frustrating and difficult as trying to untangle a knot of delicate chains. If you’re concerned about something that is outside of your control, a better option is to practice letting it go.

This doesn’t mean ignoring it the issue or being rash about taking care of yourself. It means consciously reminding yourself to keep moving forward.

Do Something for Someone Else

One way to move past our own challenges is to focus on someone else. If I’m having a tough day, as much as I want to wallow in it, I feel much better if I give a friend a hand with a project or run an errand for someone who can’t do it herself.

It gets your mind off of your own worries and it helps someone else in the process.

Anything that changes our perspective can also change our thought pattern. So, before we know it, we’re no longer thinking of the same old topic. If we have a tendency to get stuck on our challenges, being prepared ahead of time can also help.

Make a List of Healthy Distractions

If I’m having a bad day, it’s often hard to come up with ways to make myself feel better and move on to something more positive.

Still, I’ve found that if I keep a ‘Distraction List’ handy, it makes the transition easier and more natural. Maybe I’ll jot down some movies I want to see, books I want to read, art exhibits I want to visit, whatever.

I’ve even occasionally kept a ‘Fun Box’ filled with little pieces of paper that remind me of things that I know will distract me. “Go for a walk,” “play with the dogs,” “make that recipe you’ve been putting off,” are all good reminders for me and serve as perfect distractions.

Even though this may not always work, it can be a big motivator in getting me outside of myself and my worries. Usually, once I’ve stopped racing down the path of destructive thoughts, I feel better about whatever had me upset in the first place. It all has to do with where we stand.

Keep Things in Perspective

Sometimes, if my thoughts go unchecked, I can make them into much bigger and more serious dilemmas than they really are.

This doesn’t mean that I’m just being dramatic about everything I’m worried about, but many concerns seem much larger and more intense if I keep reviewing them in the same unhelpful way.

The amount of energy and time we give to things we can’t control is up to us. It’s probably impossible to imagine that the next time you face a difficulty you can just let it go and move on, but it’s worth a try with many of our mind’s meanderings.

We don’t have to dwell for days on things that cause us pain and anxiety. We can develop some techniques to help us move on to a healthier and more productive state of mind.

As statesman Winston Churchill once said, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” Not a bad idea, even if the war we’re trying to win is inside ourselves.

What are some of your best distractions when you want to change your perspective? Can you do anything to help someone else when you need to get your mind off your own troubles? What are your secrets for letting things go when you need to? Please share your thoughts and insights below!