What good thing happened today?

A post recently making the rounds on Facebook lists questions you can ask your children to encourage conversation and get them to open up about their day. One of the questions is: What is one good thing that happened today?

It’s a great question. But maybe we should be asking it of ourselves every single day.

Sometimes it can be really hard to find the positives, especially when we are bombarded with so much negativity and bad news. But the truth is that there is always something positive – we just have to look a little harder.

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You can’t put a price on love. But on Valentine’s Day, it often seems as if that is exactly what some people try to do… as if an expensive gift is the best way to show love. Here’s a secret! The truth is that the thought really is what counts when it comes to a gift. You want a gift that will celebrate the small things that make your love great. Here are some tips for finding that heartfelt gift this Valentine’s Day:

Memories. It is the day of love, so make your gift about the love and memories you share. Even if sentimentality isn’t your thing, today is the proper day to be a bit mushy. Choose a gift that celebrates the little things you and your partner share – the inside jokes, your song or the first meal you shared.

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Whew! Well, we made it through another holiday season. So how are you feeling? Are you ready to take on the new year? Or are you finding that the pre-season Grinch is back? With all the fun and joy of the holidays, it can still be tiring. And you may be feeling a little let down. Is it back to the same old grind?

Even if you are returning to the same routine you had before the holidays, you can approach it with a new attitude. A new year is a time for inspiration. Now is the time to show yourself and others that the holiday spirit is still alive and well.

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Share the joy of the season

The holiday season is often referred to as the giving season – and it should be. But it can also be considered the sharing season. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle, it is almost as if we give without much thought.

The magic of the season comes when we take the time to share the true spirit of the season.

Share a smile. This year while you are out and about, smile. Smiles really are contagious and can lift the spirits of both the giver and the receiver. See how many smiles you can share.

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One positive we see anytime there is a natural disaster or other catastrophic event is that people do have giving spirits. It allows us to witness the best in human nature with the many stories of kindness and giving. But if you stop and look around, you’ll be able to find examples of kindness and generosity around you all year long.

Of course, giving does begin to pick up at this time of year. Food pantries and shelters are collecting food so that families in need can enjoy holiday dinners, and numerous charities begin to accept donations to provide presents to children who might otherwise receive no gifts on Christmas morning. It is people’s generosity that makes these campaigns succeed – and that is truly an inspiration.

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