The Bluebird Patch

We are The Mrs., is an all-female band from Austin, Texas. They recently asked women how they felt when they looked in the mirror. Surprisingly most woman immediate reaction was negative and most of them had a hard time embracing their beauty and unique qualities. The mirror didn't like the answers that women were giving and responded back, teaching them why are they not only beautiful but pretty darn awesome! "ENOUGH" looking in the mirror with such a critical eye.  "ENOUGH" of that negative voice we hear in our heads. "ENOUGH" letting the world tell us who we should be. The Mrs.' debut single, "Enough", was written to help women see themselves with a less critical eye, and realize that they are "Enough" just the way they are. Instead of creating a traditional music video, they opted to do something unconventional: take our message directly to the women who inspire us.  Here's part of the lyric that we...

Sometimes it's not about the big things in life, but the little things we do for others that brings the most happiness to our lives. If you are lucky enough to be on the  receiving  end, d on't forget to stop, and admire them! 

Deaf Film Camp at Camp Mark Seven is designed for 13 – 16 year old aspiring filmmakers, regardless of prior experience. For two weeks, campers eat, drink, and breathe filmmaking in the fresh Adirondacks air of Old Forge, New York! Each camper wrote, produced, direct, and edited her or his own film on digital video! On the music video project, the campers learned how to integrate an American Sign Language translation into a  Pharrell's  youtube  mega hit  hit song “Happy”. The result is a heartwarming version, full of love and happiness that makes it impossible not to smile while watching. 

How to improve your happiness level within minutes " It requires some effort to achieve a happy outlook on life, and most people don't make it ." Author and researcher Gregg Easterbrook Did you know that recent studies suggest that 40% of what makes us happy is within our control? So why not try some of the strategies listed below. You might be pleasantly surprised. 10 Things You Can Do to Imp rove Your Happiness Level (in no particular order) 1. Counting your blessings, expressing gratitude for what you have. 2. Choose experience over stuff. Psychologist Ryan Howell found in his research that people felt “more alive” when reflecting on experiences compared to things—and that experiences led to more happiness in those around them than their purchases did. Howell says, "As nice as your new computer is, it's not going to make you feel alive." Lottery winners report that after a while, money and possessions don’t make them as happ...

The key to a happy life is having a balanced life! You would think that because it's summer, I'll have more time to blog, but it has been the other way around. Driving to Atlanta to take my daughter, to her not one but two volunteer jobs, takes so much energy and time, that I just can't focus and find time to blog about the things I like and love. I also need to keep my youngest one busy, so by the end of the day, I always feel the pressure to start blogging, but my body is tired and my brain is a mush.  This got me thinking. How many times do we succumb to the pressure to go against our bodies? If we are tired why don't we take a nap, rest, I don't know, just do something about it? Why do we always feel bad is we slow down? Why do we rush so much through live? Since when it's a bad thing to reduce stress and cultivate mindfulness? Where is this "false guilt" of  "if you slow down that must mean you are not doing things correctly...

Seeds of Happiness is powered by happiness and the act of kindness and handcraft smiles for others to share with family and friends.  It all started out as leftover lumps of clay Mark Borella made into little smiles to give out to friends who were going through hard times and need a little smile. That was in 2006. Since then Mark has given out thousands of smiles to folks, a handful at a time. In turn, they share them and the story with their friends in need of a smile. Seeds of Happiness is passionately committed to providing the smiles that bring happiness to our world. The ceramic smiley faces come in different sizes and shapes all with the seed theme. All seeds are handmade, fired and glazed in the USA. Story on the back of each card: Seeds of Happiness started out as leftover lumps of clay I made into little smile to give to friends who were going through hard times and need a little smile.  That was in 2006, since then I have given out thousands of...

To kick off summer and in celebration of its seventh anniversary, the   the World of Coca-Cola  is introducing a new short film, “Moments of Happiness" a brand new  exhibit  and a super cool mobile app that allows you to take your own personal VIP tour.  “ Moments of Happiness” Short Film Happiness is all around us and it happens every day. That’s the spirit of the new film in the Coca-Cola Theater. The six-minute film celebrates some of life’s most memorable moments experienced by people of different ages and cultures around the world. “ We refer to the World of Coca-Cola as the Home of Happiness, so it makes a lot of sense that we feature a film that reflects that,” said General Manager of Retail and Attractions for The Coca-Cola Company, Russell Jacobs. “The film follows people going through milestone life experiences like skydiving for the first time, along with moments like surprising a loved one on a special occasion. That’s what the ...

Judge nothing, you will be happy. Forgive everything you will be happier. Love everything you will be happiest! - The Bluebird Patch

Oh happy day!  Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth!!!   Today is International Day of happiness ! Tell us what simple things makes you the happiest? Let me hear it!! 

Having just released his chart-topping new album G I R L this week, and with the single, “Happy” (from Despicable Me 2), breaking sales and chart records around the world, Pharrell Williams has announced a partnership with the United Nations Foundation to celebrate the annual global International Day of Happiness, Thursday, March 20. In addition to a 24-hour event on YouTube, Pharrell invites people everywhere to take action and help raise money for humanitarian efforts around the globe. Drawing inspiration from the “Happy” videos fans worldwide have already posted, starting this coming Monday, March 10, Pharrell encourages all his fans to post YouTube videos of themselves demonstrating their happiness to his global #1 smash hit "Happy" with the hashtag #HAPPYDAY and then register their submission at  http://24hoursofhappiness.com . At noon on March 20 in each time zone, Pharrell will spotlight the best submissions on the site. Fans are also encouraged to use #H...

  On 17 March 2014, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) will issue a set of 6 stamps on the theme “ International Day of Happiness ”. The designs used are images of happiness. Each image says the word “happy” in the six official languages of the United Nations — Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 20 March as the International Day of Happiness. It is a movement to promote happiness as a universal goal and aspiration in the lives of human beings around the world. “ The pursuit of happiness lies at the core of human endeavours. People around the world aspire to lead happy and fulfilling lives free from fear and want, and in harmony with nature.” “ Let us reinforce our commitment to inclusive and sustainable human development and renew our pledge to help others. When we contribute to the common good, we ourselves are enriched. Compassion promotes happiness and will help build th...

All flights are not created equal Routehappy helps you find the happiest flight experience for the cheapest price. There's a new way to search for “happier” flights. Routehappy lets you find the best flight experience for your money. They do this by revealing the things that make you happy when you fly, details that are missing elsewhere. For the first time, flyers can quickly and easily find flights with more comfortable seats on better planes with the amenities they care about. The industry’s first “Happiness Factors” and “Happiness Scores” are Routehappy’s secret sauce. Routehappy ranks billions of flights and connections worldwide, which are then matched with a powerful low fare search engine. Scores and prices are presented side-by-side for a fresh new approach to flight search. With Routehappy’s signature  Happiness Factors  displayed clearly, you can figure out which of the flights is best for your needs. Like these options from  New Yor...

    “Never search your Happiness in others which will make you feel alone, but search it in yourself, you will feel Happy even if you are left alone.”  Unknown

Finding bliss is complicated, no matter where you are in the world. Americans are free to pursue happiness, but there's no guarantee we'll achieve it. The secret is knowing how — and where — to look.  "Since 1972, only about one-third of Americans have described themselves as “very happy,” according to surveys funded by the National Science Foundation. Just since 2004, the share of Americans who identify themselves as optimists has plummeted from 79% to 50%, according to a new TIME poll. Meanwhile, more than 20% of us will suffer from a mood disorder at some point in our lifetimes and more than 30% from an anxiety disorder. By the time we’re 18 years old, 11% of us have been diagnosed with depression". TIME magazine July 8th issue is a comprehensive 5 part report about happiness and the science behind it. (Part 1) The Happiness of Pursuit   Americans are free to pursue ha...

Samaritans Inc., is a non-denominational, not-for-profit volunteer organization whose purpose is to alleviate despair, isolation, distress and suicidal feelings among individuals. They also educate the public about suicide prevention and the stigma associated with suicide. They accomplish this through services that emphasize confidential, nonjudgmental, and compassionate listening. Their annual 2013 Hope event was dedicated to "The True Meaning of Happiness” found in the hope, healing and connections. Please watch the video which is the centerpiece of this year program. To make a donation in support of the hope events, click here: app.etapestry.com/cart/Samaritans/default/item.php?ref=1834.0.925739083 http://www.samaritanshope.org/

On Wednesday, May 15,  s everal of the world's foremost thinkers join the Dalai Lama in Madison  to discuss how neuroscience, environments, economics, and healthcare can combine to make the world a healthier, happier place. Panelists include; Dr. Richard J. Davidson, Dr. Jonathan Patz and Matthieu Ricard. Moderated by Arianna Huffington. Wisconsin Public Television recorded two panel discussions featuring the Dalai Lama.