Happy places
“Cheerfulness, it would appear, is a matter which depends fully as much on the state of things within, as on the state of things without and around us.” ~Charlotte Bronte
Sometimes, if I’m not mindful, disturbing news can poison my mood for days. As behavioral psychologists remind us, what we “feed” our minds influences so many other areas of our lives. A constant diet of doom, gloom, gossip, or conspiracy theories can drive just about anyone totally nuts.
So, is ignorance bliss? Not really. But it helps to have a sense of humor — along with the willingness and capacity to look for the good in other people and things. When I’m feeling down, for instance, it helps to visit my “happy places,” including Leon & Lulu in downtown Clawson. Browsing through their merchandise or greeting card section never fails to lift my spirits. What do you do to cheer yourself up? Who’s on your list of happy places and people who brighten your mood? ~CL
Cindy La Ferle
Throughout my career, I've worked as a book production editor, travel magazine editor, features writer, and weekly newspaper columnist. My award-winning lifestyles features and essays have appeared in many national magazines and anthologies, including Newsweek, Reader's Digest, The Christian Science Monitor, Writer's Digest, Victoria, Better Homes & Gardens, Bella Grace, and more. My weekly Sunday "Life Lines" column ran for 14 years in The Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, MI) and won a First Place (Local Columns) award from the Michigan Press Association. My essay collection, Writing Home, includes 93 previously published columns and essays focusing on parenthood and family life.
