Sunday Smiles… – Suzette B’s Blog

Professional artist and Creative Director, Marta Grossi from Italy is well known for her work with various fashion magazines. A little-known part of her creative outlet she has only recently shared in public. She paints works of art using her sink as her canvas! And she washes them away the next day as a form of releasing and a nod to the impermanence of all things.

© Artwork by Marta Grossi painted using her sink as the canvas. Image credit: Marta Grossi via boredpanda

© Artwork by Marta Grossi painted using her sink as the canvas. Image credit: Marta Grossi via boredpanda

© Artwork by Marta Grossi painted using her sink as the canvas. Image credit: Marta Grossi via boredpanda

© Artwork by Marta Grossi painted using her sink as the canvas. Image credit: Marta Grossi via boredpanda

© Artwork by Marta Grossi painted using her sink as the canvas. Image credit: Marta Grossi via boredpanda

© Artwork by Marta Grossi painted using her sink as the canvas. Image credit: Marta Grossi via boredpanda

© Artwork by Marta Grossi painted using her sink as the canvas. Image credit: Marta Grossi via boredpanda

© Artwork by Marta Grossi painted using her sink as the canvas. Image credit: Marta Grossi via boredpanda

© Artwork by Marta Grossi painted using her sink as the canvas. Image credit: Marta Grossi via boredpanda

Source: Sunday Smiles… – Suzette B’s Blog

GGSC Happiness Calendar December 2024 – Raffaello Palandri’s Blog

Here you are the GGSC Happiness Calendar for December 2024.

This month’s theme is finding peaceful moments together.

The end of the year is approaching and in many countries, this is the moment for celebrating the festive season.

In our fast-paced lives, those precious moments of connection with others are often overlooked. Yet, happiness thrives when we share peaceful, meaningful experiences with loved ones. These moments ground us, foster relationships, and remind us of what truly matters.

Whether it’s family, friends, or someone special, carving out time to be present with others is a gift that enriches everyone involved.

Here’s how you can create and cherish peaceful moments together.


1. Unplug to Connect

In an age dominated by screens, true connection requires intentional effort, commitment, and choices.

  • Turn off devices: Set aside time when phones, TVs, and computers are off. Let the focus be on the people around you.
  • Be fully present: Look into each other’s eyes, listen deeply, and engage without distractions.

2. Spend Time in Nature

Nature has a unique way of bringing peace and joy. Sharing it amplifies the experience.

  • Go for a walk or hike: Explore a nearby park, forest, or beach together. Let the tranquility of nature spark meaningful conversations.
  • Have a picnic: A simple meal outdoors offers a perfect setting for quiet, relaxed bonding.

3. Create Together

Working on something collectively can be both rewarding and calming.

  • Cook a meal: Collaborate on a recipe, enjoying the process as much as the meal.
  • Engage in arts or crafts: Try painting, sewing, or a DIY project. The creative flow fosters harmony and teamwork.
  • Garden as a team: Planting and nurturing life together can be a meditative and fulfilling activity.

4. Share Quiet Activities

Not all moments need words. Peaceful silence shared with someone else can be deeply connective.

  • Read together: Sit in the same space and enjoy separate books or take turns reading aloud.
  • Meditate side by side: Even a few minutes of mindfulness together can bring a shared sense of calm.
  • Stargaze: Lie down under the stars, share stories, or simply soak in the vastness of the universe.

5. Practice Gratitude

Reflecting on what you appreciate together strengthens bonds.

  • Start a gratitude jar: Take turns writing down things you’re grateful for and read them together later.
  • Express appreciation: Tell each other what you value about your relationship.

6. Share Rituals

Rituals create a sense of stability and belonging.

  • Weekly check-ins: Set aside a specific day and time for undisturbed conversations about life, dreams, and concerns.
  • Morning or evening routines: Begin or end your day with a shared habit, such as stretching, drinking tea, or a simple prayer.

7. Practice Acts of Kindness Together

Giving to others can bring you closer as a team.

  • Volunteer: Find a cause you both care about and spend time helping together.
  • Create care packages: Assemble small gifts or necessities to donate to those in need.

8. Reflect and Celebrate

Recognizing the joy you’ve shared reinforces your bond.

  • Reminisce: Look at old photos, share cherished memories, and laugh at inside jokes.
  • Celebrate milestones: Mark small wins and life’s big occasions with thoughtful gestures.

The Joy of Togetherness

Happiness grows in the spaces we create for each other.

Peaceful moments together are not about grand gestures but the simple act of being present and open with one another. In these moments, we rediscover the beauty of connection, reminding ourselves that happiness is often found in the quiet, shared experiences we create together.

So, take a breath, set aside distractions, and make time for the ones who matter most. Happiness is waiting in the moments you share.

Source: GGSC Happiness Calendar December 2024 – Raffaello Palandri’s Blog

Action for Happiness Calendar – December 2024 – Raffaello Palandri’s Blog

Here you are the Action for Happiness Happiness Calendar for December 2024.

This month’s theme is Kindness.

As a Buddhist Priest, kindness is deeply rooted in who I am, even if we live in a world often focused on individual achievements and material success.

Yet, the simple act of kindness – to ourselves and others – profoundly affects our mental and emotional well-being. Kindness is more than a feel-good act; it creates ripples of happiness that enhance the lives of everyone involved.

The Science Behind Kindness and Happiness

Kindness releases feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, reducing stress and boosting mood. It also promotes the release of oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” which strengthens bonds between people. These biochemical changes make acts of kindness deeply rewarding.

Beyond immediate happiness, kindness fosters a sense of purpose and belonging. When we help others, we feel connected, valued, and part of something bigger than ourselves.

Practical Suggestions for Cultivating Kindness

  1. Start Small
    • Smile at strangers. A genuine smile can brighten someone’s day and cost you nothing.
    • Hold the door open for someone or let another person go first in line.
  2. Give Without Expectation
    • Offer compliments freely—acknowledge someone’s effort or a positive trait.
    • Leave encouraging notes in public places or for coworkers.
  3. Volunteer Your Time
    • Join a community project, such as helping at a food bank or mentoring a child.
    • Even a few hours a month can significantly impact others’ lives and your own.
  4. Practice Active Listening
    • Be fully present in conversations. Listen to understand, not just to reply.
    • Empathy is one of the most powerful forms of kindness.
  5. Be Kind to Yourself
    • Practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with the same understanding and patience you would a dear friend.
    • Set realistic goals, forgive yourself for mistakes, and prioritize rest.
  6. Random Acts of Kindness
    • Pay for someone’s coffee or toll anonymously.
    • Donate books, clothes, or food to those in need.
  7. Create a Kindness Routine
    • Start or end your day with a small act of kindness.
    • Keep a “kindness jar” where you drop notes about kind acts you’ve performed or received.
  8. Encourage a Culture of Kindness
    • Teach children the importance of being kind by setting an example.
    • Share stories of kindness to inspire others in your community or online.

The Transformative Power of Kindness

When you act kindly, you’re not just changing someone else’s day—you’re transforming your own. Acts of kindness remind us of our shared humanity, dissolving barriers and fostering mutual respect. Over time, practising kindness reshapes how you view the world, making you more open, empathetic, and resilient.

Kindness is a choice. Each day offers countless opportunities to bring happiness to ourselves and those around us. By choosing kindness, we choose joy.

Let’s make the world a little brighter, one act of kindness at a time.

Source: Action for Happiness Calendar – December 2024 – Raffaello Palandri’s Blog

“Santa’s Toys” on Hotel Masticadores | Dawn Pisturino’s Blog

“Santa’s Toys” on Hotel Masticadores

 on December 1, 2024

(Photo by Osman Rana on Unsplash)

Good morning! Happy Sunday! Ho-ho-ho! Can you believe it’s December already? The Holiday Season here in the United States is in full swing!

I’m excited to share that Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine is now available in ebook and paperback on Amazon.com. Put on your shades, and check it out!

I’ll post the official launch tomorrow. Thank you!

And, in keeping with the season, I’m overjoyed to share that my poem, “Santa’s Toys,” has been published today on Hotel Masticadores. Thank you, Michelle Ayon Navajas, for publishing it. Please visit Hotel to enjoy all of their literary offerings. If you like what you read, consider subscribing (it’s free). Thank you!

The gentle calm of Christmas snow

Beneath a moonlit sky

Recalls the days of long ago

When Santa Claus, with cheerful eye,

Delivered joy on Christmas Eve

To every anxious girl and boy.

His midnight romp could not deceive

Their longing for a brand-new toy.

No store-bought present from the mall

Contained the shiny magic seed

That elvish toys from Santa’s Hall

Brought with them in this hour of need. . .

Please click HERE to read the rest.

Have a lovely, blissful, blessed Sunday. Cheers, my friends!

Dawn Pisturino

Author, Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine, now available on Amazon.com

Author, Haiku for the Midnight Hour (2024) – Amazon New Release in Japanese Poetry & Haiku, Haiku & Japanese Poetry, and 90-Minute Teen & Young Adult Short Reads

Author, Lunar Gazing Haiku (2024) – Amazon New Release in Asian and Contemporary Poetry, Japanese Poetry & Haiku, 45-Minute Teen & Young Adult Short Reads, Poetry for Teens & Young Adults, and Haiku & Japanese Poetry

Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023 (2024) – Ranked on the Amazon Best Seller List for Haiku & Japanese Poetry

Amazon Bestseller Author 2024

Amazon Bestseller Co-Author 2022, 2023, 2024

Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press

Co-Author, Cadence: Life’s Poetic Rhythms (2024)

Co-Author, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology (2024)

Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology (2023)

Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine

Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women (2022)

Official Author Website: www.dawnpisturino.org

December 1, 2024

Copyright ©2024 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

Source: “Santa’s Toys” on Hotel Masticadores | Dawn Pisturino’s Blog

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