“Happiness will come to you when it comes from you.”  (Ralph Marston,  Author & Speaker)

While life is full of celebrations and “big ticket” events, there are also those times (especially during the craziness of day-to-day life) when we have to pause and remind ourselves that it is the little moments that are often the most worth commemorating.  They are sometimes the “take your breath away” moments and they are other times really much simpler.  And, no big surprise here…they are more often than not the moments that we have to create for ourselves.

In light of this, Bleu suggests the following 10 ways to feel happier THIS instant:

Have a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie before noon or a cocktail before 5:00PM.

Make your next pedicure appointment during your lunch break and choose a funky yet fabulous color, like OPI’s “Ate Berries in the Canaries”, to brighten your day.

Close your eyes and relive your most magical kiss EVER.

Do an unpleasant thing that you wish to put off forever but can actually finish in a minute.

Overtip.

Facebook “stalk” the unattainable guys you had crushes on at the age of 15.  Half are overweight and balding…guaranteed!

Resist buying the $250 designer shoes, eating the third doughnut, or picking the same old fight.  Sometimes happiness is about what you DON’T do.

Try the tree pose.  Tough to worry about anything but keeling over…right, Jennie?

Think back one more time to heroic Captain Sully landing that plane gently and flawlessly on the Hudson River and, as a result, saving 155 lives.

SMILE!  Fake happiness always ends up feeling at least a little like the real thing.

“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” (Celia Thaxter, Writer & Poet, 1835 - 1894)

With Labor Day fast approaching, we are reminded that the “unofficial” end of summer is also upon us.  Instead of weekend picnics and celebratory parades, family barbecues and sinfully delicious beach reads, we will be bombarded with reminders of the changing seasons.  And, even though temperatures here in Texas will remain well into the 90’s (or even the 100’s) for a few more weeks, we’ll be exposed to article after article regarding:  recipes for feel-good, “cold-weather” comfort foods; activities such as Friday night football and tailgating parties; the best method for extending that summer glow; the proper way to pack away the cotton shorts and linen shirts and/or to air out the knitted sweaters and wool coats; and, of course, crafts and decorating ideas for the impending holiday season.

Before we move on and say “farewell” to yet another joyous summer, however, Bleu would like to take a few moments to appreciate all of the glory and greatness of the traditions that have littered these last few months, as well as the summers past and those still yet to come.

For us, summer is simply…

Flip Flops…Acceptable Almost Anywhere and Anytime

Fireflies

Family Get Togethers

Fresh Fruit…Especially with a Bowl of Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Margaritas…On the Patio and with Live Music Filling the Air

Bikinis

Playing in the Sprinkler

Popsicles

Pedicures…Topped Off with Only the Brightest, Boldest, and Most Outrageous of Colors

“Kiss My Face” SPF 30 Sunscreen

Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers

Dining Outdoors

Sleeping Late

Sunglasses…the Expensive, Classic Styles or the Cheap, Trendy Ones…Just so They’re Cool and Hip

Greatest Hit Albums…The Eagles, James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet, and Elton John to be Exact

Wherever we go, and whatever we do, this perfect storm of summer essentials instantly puts our minds and bodies at ease.  So, here’s to you, summer…thanks for the memories…until we meet again!