May the Budgie of Happiness Sit on Your Head

My grandmother, Mimi, was a great solitaire player. My family legacy is mainly memories, so I especially cherish my few tangible mementos. Especially a photograph of Mimi, when she was in her mid-70's, sitting at the kitchen table, solitaire game in progress and a small green "budgie" (aka parakeet in this country) atop her head.

You need to realize that my grandmother was a lady. She'd been an executive secretary in her working days, and there was a dignity about her that somehow hadn't translated into subsequent generations. Genteel, she was. Prim. Proper even.

That's why the budgie picture is such a delight. If it is possible for my grandmother to relax enough to tolerate a bird in her hair ? and allow a photograph! -- then it is possible for anyone to let go, let down and play. She knew what could happen. She knew what birds do . . . and she yet, let it sit there, let this fragile little creature just be.

The approaching summer will bring opportunities, and if we're not careful we'll find ourselves too busy . . . too tired . . . too dignified . . . too preoccupied . . . to step outside the lives of our safe and comfortable everyday. We'll be too worried about being careful . . . to concerned about acting our age . . . too busy thinking about tomorrow to pay attention today.

And yet: When something knocks on your door and asks, "Can [your name] come out to play?", remember. You can't know if this invitation is one of many or the last one that may come your way. Life is like that.

I have a new bumper sticker that says, "Don't Postpone Joy." I think this is what Alice Walker had in mind when she wrote, in The Color Purple, "I think it [irritates] God when you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it" (Those of you who remember the book will realize I've tidied up the verb somewhat, although I admit the sentiment was more effective written her way!)

Joy, playfulness, doing your version of letting a budgie sit on your head ? these are our human way of saying "thank you" to the Universe for the gift of life ? long life, short life, whatever weeks and days and years remain.

So, here's my summer wish for you: Let the budgie of happiness sit on your head. Recognize there are consequences, but live with it. Let your motto be, "Don't Postpone Joy." May room for happiness, make time for play. Every day.

Copyright 2005 Maureen Killoran

Maureen Killoran, MA, DMin, is a Life Coach who specializes in liberating people's strengths, values and passion. Don't miss Maureen's great new e-workbook, "Spirit Tickling: A Workbook for Curious Souls" -- a selection of her absolutely best articles, with questions to encourage your path of personal and spiritual growth. And for ongoing connection and monthly inspiration subscribe to Maureen's free e-zine, Seeds of Change. http://www.spiritquestcoaching.com

Study: Happiness linked to better health
United Press International - 3 hours ago
to assess happiness. They determined satisfaction with life by asking: "All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life? ...
Happier really does mean healthier, researchers say CTV.ca
Study: Happy People Tend To Be Healthier AHN
all 10 news articles

Happy Hour: Bitter happiness
National Post, Canada - 4 hours ago
Sure, you think you know what bitterness tastes like. But are you really experiencing it the same way as the person across the table from you? ...

Happiness map is just a joke to us
WalesOnline, United Kingdom - 13 hours ago
According to a so-called happiness map released yesterday, the South Wales Valleys are among some of the unhappiest places to live in the UK. ...
Woman critical after Valleys house fire WalesOnline
all 5 news articles

BBC News
Can Barack Obama purge America's original sin?
Times Online, UK - 4 hours ago
America was founded on a promise: religious toleration, democratic self-government, human equality, happiness. And in his pitch-perfect peroration at the ...
Video: Pastor: King's Dream Lives On In Obama's Run wbal
Pieces of The Dream Blackvoices
45 Years to the Day Gay City News
The Delaware County Times - Denver Postall 1,543 news articles

Why our happiness is taking a dive
The Canberra Times, Australia - Aug 27, 2008
BY MICHAEL RUFFLES For the first time in seven years men are feeling better than women, but overall happiness is taking a dive as inflation hits the hip ...
Inflation deflating women: report ABC Online
Women aren't as upbeat as men Sydney Morning Herald
Rising prices to blame for misery Adelaidenow
The Ageall 163 news articles

BBC News
Does Powys really hold the recipe for happiness?
WalesOnline, United Kingdom - 19 hours ago
Cliff Arnall, a happiness psychologist living in Brecon, agreed that Powys benefits from a low crime rate and a “safe and stunning natural environment”, ...
Rainy Manchester may need defending, but it scores highly in ... Times Online
Happiness Map Declares Powys The Winner Find a Property
Welsh county top of happiness map CBBC Newsround
Community News Group - Reuters UKall 31 news articles

O! That sweet bringer of happiness
Daily News & Analysis, India - 2 hours ago
In Sanskrit, the word ‘modak’ means ‘that which gives or brings happiness’, and the steamed dumpling-like sweet has the power to melt the hardest of hearts. ...
The ubiquitous modak goes lite Daily News & Analysis
all 2 news articles

City ranks 'average' in happiness survey
Lancashire Evening Post, UK - 8 hours ago
See what people in Preston had to say about happiness and what influences theirs. By Josie Hill Preston has been ranked 135th out of 273 in a table of the ...
WE'RE SUCH A HAPPY BUNCH Burton Mail
SMILE, IT REALLY IS 'GRIN' UP NORTH Grimsby Evening Telegraph
all 3 news articles

Paste Magazine
Todd Solondz's Happiness follow-up to see the light of day
Paste Magazine, GA - 4 hours ago
After languishing for a long while without financial backup, his companion piece/sequel to Happiness is finally getting made. ...

Book Review: 'Nudge'
International Herald Tribune, France - 1 hour ago
Nudge Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness By Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein 293 pages. $26. Yale University Press. ...
Business Books TOP FIVE USA Shanghai Daily
all 2 news articles

Design Psychology: How Our Sensory Responses to Aromas Create Happy Homes

Our sense of smell elicits strong emotional reactions and triggers powerful memories, whether we're consciously aware of it or not.Scents and FeelingsOur olfactory system sends a chemical... Read More

How to Stop Attracting Negative People to Your Life

Placing your attention, energy and focus on the negative aspects of some people in your life brings you more of the same. Simply put, that's the Law... Read More

10 Fun Ways To Live An Enchanted Life Today!

I am often asked how I can live the way I do. Who pays me to be a real-life Merlin? It's not as if you can open... Read More

Colors: How Do They Make You Feel?

One of the most important colors in advertising is the color blue. Calm, comforting, soothing, and peaceful are all feelings evoked from this color. The color blue... Read More

Self Identity: Who Are You?

Self-identity? Who are you really? We identify with many things, but this is just a process in our minds. In fact, this identification causes us to suffer.Your... Read More

Happiness And Health Are The Two Most Important Things In Life

The world is becoming obsessed with money and all things material. From the size of your house, the type of car and even where you travel on... Read More

Letting Go of Anger and Awaken to Lifes Grand Aventures

Anger can make us feel good and enlivened for a little while. When we are angry we are often feeling self-righteous, critical, judgemental and we have someone... Read More

A Surefire Way To Manage Your Fears While Leading A Happier, Healthier Life

Imagine discovering a way to get rid of your fears in a quick and painless manner. In fact it can even become fun!Did you know only two... Read More

It Costs Nothing To Smile

I like to be around positive people, people who tend to be happy, who look on the bright side of life. Far too many people walk around... Read More

Happiness - Cause and Effect

Your reaction to the events around you determines how you feel and how you affect those you come into contact with. Consider the following example:Jane, a bank... Read More

Flowers Truly Reach Your Soul

Flowers are a simple, sincere and unobtrusive way to lift our spirits. They can bring a smile to a tired face or brighten up a room for... Read More

You Need To Start To Like Yourself

If you have a very low self esteem or a lack of self-confidence you may be seeking help to gain extra confidence.I was somebody who had a... Read More

Who Controls YOUR Happiness?

Where does happiness fit on a scale of 1 to 10 in your life?Is that a silly question? Who's in control of your happiness??Well, if you want... Read More

Happiness Is In Our Own Hands

Other people can bring tremendous happiness to our lives but we cannot rely on them alone for happiness. Clinging to people because we think our happiness depends... Read More

Happy Buttons

What makes you happy? What are the simple pleasures that bring you great joy? Review the following list slowly, taking time to savor each one and remember... Read More

What Is Happiness?

What is it that everyone is seeking? Happiness with no sorrow. A continuous happiness with no taint whatsoever of sorrow.~Lester LevensonHappiness is our basic nature.We rarely find... Read More

Are You Doing What You Love?

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. --Albert Schweitzer (1875... Read More

10 Ideas to Jump Start Your Self-Confidence

To begin feeling that first spark of self-confidence within you, try as many of these as you like. It's important to enjoy yourself along the way. Have... Read More

Your Perfect Partner

A woman we'll call "Jane" thought she was a great "catch" and a "perfect partner" but she wondered why her relationships always seemed to fail.Here's what she... Read More

In Pursuit of Happiness

In pursuit of happiness, what will we do as women? Whatever we possibly can. We want to do things for ourselves, but always put others before us.... Read More

Have Fun, Make Friends, Be Happy

I always marvel at the way people shine when they break through a roadblock in their lives. It's brilliant and it's also incredibly attracting. There's a sense... Read More

Our Feelings and Attitudes Around Happily Ever After

Our feelings and attitudes have a huge impact on our ability to achieve 'happily ever after.' Are feelings and attitudes the same thing or different? Does one... Read More

Maybe Money CAN Buy Happiness

Can money buy happiness? It's easy to say no, and probably correct, but that's just a way to stop thinking about the tougher issues. What is your... Read More

Have You Ever Tasted The Fruit Of Pure Happiness?

Have you ever been really happy? Have you ever tasted the fruit of pure happiness? Have you ever completed a task with that feeling of YES! I... Read More

Living a Balanced Life - The Real Juggling Act

I just read an installment from another self-improvement course that states that celebrities are unhappy because they don't have gratitude for what they have. I disagree.Have you... Read More

See for Yourself : 12 Step Tools Can Bring Happy, Joyous and Free into Everyones Life

We are all familiar with or have heard of the many Twelve Step programs and communities. The reason the 12 Steps are so effective in helping people... Read More