London

“Everyone in L.A. is very positive and upbeat, whereas London can get quite miserable at times.”

         -Sienna Miller

I know this isn't the kind of person that I usually take quote from, however, I have found this quote to be true. Although the one and only time I have been to LA I was about 10 years old, I can definitely confirm that London can be a very miserable place. The further into the city you go, the less people even look up from their own newspaper or magazine on the train. Although you do get a small minority of Londoners who are quirky and smiley, the vast majority are in such a rush that they forget to take in the small pleasures around them. 

One such man on my train today was having none of this, and had come along armed with his guitar and beautiful voice. He go onto my carriage on the Underground and proceeded to inform the passengers that he was neither homeless nor drunk, but had simply set himself the challenge of making londoners smile. He then sang a few songs and gave out a few sweets and then left the train, presumably in order to catch another train and make someone else's day. 

The moral of this post is not to encourage you all to start a musical on the train system (although if you are brave enough then go for it) but to send a smile someones way, or pay a colleague a compliment when you would normally be too shy. It is the small things like this that will make London, and anywhere else, a happier place. 

Spread the happiness!

Things to try this week...

Here are just a few things that may bring a smile to your face and put a spring in your step this week! They may seem obvious, but are often overlooked!

1. Work through some of the small tasks. They may seem insignificant in comparison to big tasks, but they all add up and having them done will be a huge weight off your shoulders!
2. Break down the big tasks. The big tasks often seem to daunting to approach, but breaking them down into a few smaller tasks will make them much more manageable. 
3. Dance the chores away! Okay, so dancing wont make the chores go away, but it may make the time fly. When you are mopping or hoovering the floor, turn up the volume and dance while you work! This is a big hit in my house!
4. Give yourself some space. By tidying the piles of paper on your desk you will automatically feel calmer and will be able to think straight. Putting things in piles is not technically tidying, but is a lot easier than putting them away and often has the same effect!
5. Find an activity. There must have been an activity from your youth that you no longer do. Picking up an activity that used to bring us happiness can bring us happiness again. If you are no longer able to do the activity then try a few new activities until you find something that you enjoy. Staying active is the key to staying happy!
6. Do something that is just for you. This is the one that is most often overlooked. At least once a week, or even once a day, do something that is just for you; have a relaxing bath, do cartwheels in the garden, buy a colouring book and work your way through it. Do something, anything, to make yourself happy. 
7. Smile. Even a fake smile, if held for a few minutes, will improve your mood. Even if it doesn't, it may make someone else smile. Smiling is infectious, and by extension, so is happiness. Spread your joy!

By making yourself happy, you automatically help other people on their path to happiness. Eventually this will spread until we have a nicer world to live in! That is the dream!