topic Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?… in BB Social Zone

Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Ggrand — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:08:43 GMT

Hello everyone,

I thought I would start a thread because I have been trying to look for something each day that gives me a feeling of warmth/happiness/joy/peace…you know, that feeling, the one that’s hard to find when we’re going through a rough patch of depression, anxiety or when our mental health is not the best…

For me it was seeing sheep, not just one or two but lots being moved along the road to another paddock by working dogs and a farmer whistling out commands while driving an atv….Those dogs were amazing to watch and they made me feel so happy that I got to see that…. a few years back, I had to drive through a large herd of cows….both times were scary and exciting at the same time…

Has something you’ve seen or done recently given you even a tiny bit of a feel good feeling?….did something you do for someone else give them a happy moment.

Kind thoughts, with love and gentle hugs with care..🦋💜🤗🌈.

Grandy..

Hugs everyone….🤗🤗.

Grandy..

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Eagle Ray — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 02:25:32 GMT

Hello dear Grandy 🤗

What a wonderful idea! I agree, just something we see and experience can turn things around in us when we’re struggling. I loved hearing about the sheep and sheep dogs 🐑 🐶

For me today it was seeing these cute little parrots on the rocks at my favourite place by the ocean. I was out early and it was misty and atmospheric. While I saw many interesting things it was the parrots that gave me the biggest lift at the end of the walk. They were feeding on coastal plants and didn’t seem to mind me being there. I’ve met them a few times down there and I’ve always given them space. If they are on the walking track I’ve actually walked around a different way so as not to disturb them feeding. But I’ll have a little chat with them where I say, “Hello little parrots” and they’ll make cute little, chatty parrot noises back to me as they waddle about. So cute! 🦜💗 Today it felt like they remembered me. They are like lovely little friends.

Other things on my walk included cute crabs scuttling about and oystercatchers who are birds with great character. I met a couple who were out early too and off on a trek. If I make the effort to go out early it really is the best time of day and what I see and experience can sustain me for the rest of the day. I definitely get warmth, joy, happiness and peace from nature so to start the day in it is the best thing.

Thank you and hope you are having a beautiful day Grandy and All 🙏🤗💖

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Ggrand — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 00:27:45 GMT

Hello Dear Eagle Ray,

I loved hearing about your walk and seeing all those beautiful creatures and plants…Parrorts are such trusting birds, it’s nice you say heel to the parrots…I often say hello, in cow talk (moo) to the cows across from my home…I’m not sure if the are saying hello back or asking me..what do the human say to us…😁..

Last week I went shopping at Coles and amongst other things I bought a ten pack carton of coke, while I was trying to put it into the car and trying to stop the trolly from running away, the box fell onto the pavement…as I was picking up the scattered cans, some exploded and was fizzing foam everywhere…a Coles worker saw me and told me to wait their so he can get me some fresh wipes to clean up the sticky foamy mess on me 😁…He came back while I was still cleaning up and finding run away cans..with some wet hand wipes and another 10 pack of coke….me holding back tears from his kindness, thanked him and was so grateful, that is kindness really did make a difference to the rest of my day….I hope he knows how kind and caring he is…

Kindness really does make a difference to someone else’s life…

Hugs, love and care, everyone..🤗💜🦋.

Grandy..

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

HappySheep — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 01:29:02 GMT

Hi Grandy,

What a lovely idea for a thread. I've been beating myself up because I've been struggling for the last few days but it's nice to look back and remind myself that I managed to achieve quite a few things and have some lovely things happen as well.

I'm indecisive so am I allowed to pick a top three instead of just one?

My first is easy. I have an eight week old puppy and, I don't care who you are, you only have to look into a happy little puppy's face to have your heart melt with joy. He's just so full of love for every new experienced - bite this, chase that, pee here - it doesn't matter because his little face just gazes at you with the certain knowledge that nothing bad could ever happen in the world. That is a joy.

My second is very much like Eagle Ray's and involves parrots. I dragged myself out for a run on Friday morning and passed, as I often do, a herd of white cockatoos eating beach almonds off the ground. They are the absolute clowns of the bird world and always make me laugh, but these guys were climbing over the drinking fountain and, even though they could drink out of the dog bowl attached, you could just see them exploring how to turn it on. They hardly bothered to move as I came very close and I just missed getting a photo with my phone. So hilarious and so clever.

My third, and the biggest thing that gave me joy yesterday was quite special and unexpected. I resentfully went to a party at a friend's house. He has a young adult daughter I'm close to. She has struggled through her teens with Borderline Personality Disorder - done a heap of bad/stupid stuff and lives with her boyfriend permanently on the dole and doing too many drugs etc. Thankfully she is doing so much better now than she was five years ago and she is a good person in spite of the dysfunction. Her BF is exactly what parents don't want in their daughter's defacto - older than she is, with a criminal record, no driver's licence and no prospects of a job. But again, anyone who can stick with Daughter and be kind to her is a decent person in my book. I know the man comes from a really messed up family and struggles in social situations and I know he especially doesn't know what to do with Daughter's family (my friends) as they are really nice to him and always make him welcome and try to force him to eat vegetables etc. and he really doesn't know how to handle it. Anyway, daughter and I were talking yesterday and she told me that BF always looks out for me at these events because he trusts me to make him feel safe. Wow. I nearly cried - I've done nothing except always try and have a personal conversation with him or take the p1ss out of him etc. because I can see how so very hard he finds it to stand in a room with all of us. To know that this young man who I should be worried is going to break into my house or something instead believes I've got his back, even though we will never understand the world each other lives in and couldn't be more opposite, was a very powerful moment. Thanks Grandy, I hadn't really given myself time to think about this incident. I think I will treasure it.

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Fiatlux — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 01:35:23 GMT

Hi Grandy,

Love your thread. Holding back tears as I read on…

Going through hundreds of photos the last few weeks to prepare an album for my daughter. Looking back at my children has given me so much joy. The memories of their laughter brings me joy. So many photos of them climbing the fruit trees in our old backyard and playing with the kids in our neighbourhood. They had such a wonderful childhood. I truly believe that is why they are such good people now. They were showered with love. This has made them so happy and positive.

Your coke story is lovely. I have had a similar experience when shopping with small children or while pregnant.

Eagle Ray, isn’t it amazing how animals and nature can change our mood. I am sitting in my backyard and watching the numerous butterflies and birds fly around. Apparently we have white cabbage moth plague. Personally I love them.

Have a lovely Sunday everyone. Fiatlux 🙏🏼

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Eagle Ray — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 06:43:16 GMT

Hello Dear Grandy, Happy Sheep and Fiatlux,

I loved reading what you all wrote. Grandy, that’s so lovely the Coles worker helped you. It’s upsetting when something like that happens and so it makes such a difference when someone else notices and makes a real effort to help. It lifts you again doesn’t it 😊 I agree with you 100% about kindness. My favourite line in the song “Hands” by Jewel is “In the end, only kindness matters”. 💗 I love cows too and it’s wonderful you can have “moo” conversations with them 🐮🥰

Happy Sheep, those are 3 delightful things. I adore dogs and 100% agree how much joy and love there is to be found in a puppy 🐶💗 I also have experienced very similar things in observing cockatoos. I was watching a group of corellas once who were all in playful mode. One was lying on his or her back waving a stick around in the air. Others were romping and play fighting and clearly loving it. I’ve watched galahs spin themselves round in circles on the powerlines just for fun. And the story about your friends’ daughter and partner is just lovely. It shows you are a kind a trustworthy person and that the partner feels safe with you 😊 That, again, demonstrates the beautiful value of kindness.

Fiatlux, that is so beautiful and positive about your children 🥰 I’m so glad you have those memories you see in the photos. Climbing trees has to be one of the joys of childhood. It was for me. There is no way I could scale a tree now as I could then! It’s so lovely your kids had that community in the neighbourhood too. And, yes, watching the birds and butterflies is beautiful 🐦🦋💖

My day has been really hard, pushing me to call The Blue Knot Foundation. But I got a lovely person who was very empathetic and supportive. Once again, kindness means everything 💗 Sometimes it’s all we have left to run us. It is the good energy that keeps us going.

Much love to Everyone 💕

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

HappySheep — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:30:36 GMT

Hi ER,

I'm so sorry to hear your day has been tough - and so pleased you got hold of someone helpful and supportive. I too love stories like Ggrandy's experience with the coke - sometimes all it take to make the world bearable if for someone to show a tiny bit of kindness and compassion.

If it helps at all ER, you have been that person for me over the last few weeks as I have reached out over these forums. The person who has taken time out of their day to show kindness and empathy to someone who is struggling. So I thank you for that.

I went interstate over Xmas to visit my parents. While there, we went to an art show and I bought a watercolour painting .... of cows. Given the talking to cows topic on this discussion, I thought you may all appreciate that, among walls of beautiful watercolour paintings of the ocean and forest, I picked the painting of a herd of cows to hang on my wall. Cattle are fabulous animals and I'm gla d to hear that other people 'talk' to them. So curious, always sticky-beaking into what you're up to... Well worth talking to!

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Eagle Ray — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:41:06 GMT

Dear Happy Sheep,

Thank you so much for your kind words 🙏 I’m really happy if I was able to support you. Today I have called 3 helplines in total - Blue Knot, BB and Lifeline. I kept needing support. I won’t try to explain what happened for me in this good things thread. My nervous system is still very wired at the moment. But at least there are those helpful supports there.

I love that you chose a painting of cows 🐮💗 Cattle are indeed curious. My mum drove a mini and told me of a time she was a bit lost in the country and needed directions. She drove up to a farmhouse and the people welcomed her in and gave her directions. When she came out again her mini was surrounded by cows, all up close to it as if to say, “what is this thing?” They were fascinated by the mini.

I live in a rural town and sometimes I can hear cows from home, though they are not directly across the road as in Grandy’s case. There are kangaroos directly across the road from me though and they do occasionally come into this unit complex. I have possums go over my roof at night. Bandicoots dig about in the gardens here too. I love all the animals 🥰

Thanks Happy Sheep (perhaps you could add a sheep painting to your cow one 😊)

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

HappySheep — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 21:50:05 GMT

Hi ER,

Not contributing to the topic, I know. But I could never have a picture of sheep! Sheep are idiots! I can't bear sheep. 😉 (I know how silly that sounds given my name and all!) Stupid, panicky animals without a brain cell between them. Goats are fabulous - funny, independent creatures. Cows are amazing. Whatever is going on they'll come and have a look.

I have a great photo of my mother who was watering some plants with a watering can along the fence line and a huge beef cow has wandered over to have a look. My Mum held the watering can up and poured and the cow stuck her head over the fence to drink from the shower.

I'm so excited for Fiatlux's photo album present. Mum dragged out the old photo albums over Xmas (we live in different States so I don't visit often) and it is, indeed, a fabulous trip down memory lane. I don't consider myself a pretty woman and have spent my life in jeans and a teeshirt, so even knowing that my mother has carefully kept every rare photo of me in a dress over the decades - ones I have no memory of - is very special. Fiatlux, this is definitely the best gift ever.

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Ggrand — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 07:32:55 GMT

Hello everyone,

Happy Sheep, you can put as many things that made you feel happy as you want to, puppies are so beautiful, active and funny…so much fun…I have 3 dogs and no matter if my day was horrible, coming home to my fur girl’s excitement to welcome me home, really does lift my spirits and puts a smile on my face…

Fiatlux, I also enjoy going through the photos I have of my children when they were growing up…it always brings back some good memories of the times we managed to be just us…It’s really sad that photos are becoming more and more obsolete with the phones being able to take then store the photos…..

Eagle Ray, I’m so sorry that you have been struggling and needed to call a couple of life lines….I am so proud of you for ringing them….I do hope that you’re feeling better sweety…. Kangaroos are beautiful creatures, I see a few here across from mine but not many at all…

A man brought his three little sons into the shop today, they were so cute..I asked the ages of them 4,3,2..their dad wanted to buy some shirts for them and shoes for himself….while dad was looking I brought out some Batman toys that just came in earlier that day, so the boys could play with them…..They all sat together playing with the toys and giggling with each other for over an half hour, it was so lovely to watch and listen them….I’m at home now and reflecting on that half hour with a feeling of warmth….

Love, hugs and care everyone…❤️🤗🌈🦋..

Grandy..

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Eagle Ray — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:38:49 GMT

Hello Everyone 🤗🥰

Grandy, that’s a lovely story about the three little boys in the shop today. You have reminded me of a fish shop I went to recently. The woman who runs it had her little son with her. He was getting a bit tired and grizzly, so she held him up so he could scan the items I was buying with the scanner. He cheered up quickly and felt important doing a job. I told him how good he was at it. He’ll be well versed in shopkeeping if he wants to do that later. So that is a feeling of warmth and happiness I remember, even though it didn’t happen today.

Happy Sheep, that’s totally reasonable not to have a sheep picture! Goats are great characters aren’t they. I have been in a pen with goats and found them tugging at my backpack and clothes. I’m trying to go one way while a goat is trying to tug me in the other direction to chew on my backpack strap. I’ve seen videos of goat yoga (doing yoga with baby goats) which is cute and entertaining. I’m not sure how cow yoga would go? Maybe cow meditation 🤔 Just hanging out with cows and meditating seems to work in my imagination somehow.

Have a lovely evening everyone 💖

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

mmMekitty — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:54:53 GMT

Hello Grandy & everyone.

Off on a tangent a bit, (although I do enjoy all the great moments you all have to share here), mine today was in my support worker's car. He turned the radio to a classic music station & they happened to be playing 'Pictures at an Exhibition' byModest Mussorgsky. It was the orchestral version & at first I wasn't sure what it was, but it came to me & I was happy to hear Ihad identified the piece, just hearing a little of it, near the end. It's one of my favourite pieces - especially the 'Ballet of the Unhatched Chickens'. It's so cute & always makes me smile.

Hugzies

mmMekitty

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Eagle Ray — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 13:46:04 GMT

Hello MK,

I love Pictures at an Exhibition too, especially the opening part with the trumpet in the orchestral version. Then the strings come in which is beautiful. I couldn't remember the 'Ballet of the Unhatched Chickens' part so just found a version online and had a listen - yes, very cute.

Hugs,

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Ggrand — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 09:52:51 GMT

Hello HappySheep, Eagle Ray, mmMeKitty and everyone….🤗..

Im pleased ER, that I sparked a happy memory for you, the little boy’s mum sounds very caring and just by you praising the young boy, you made his day even brighter…

Anything that gave you a feeling of peace, happiness, etc even if it’s music, is nice to hear about…, how nice you liked the music your support put on for you…music I heard soothes even the meanest beast, so imagine how it soothes our souls when it’s running up and down that Big Dipper of mental health….I’m not much of a classical music person, I do like some of them but find it hard to listen to the music…it’s kind of to loud/noisy for me….to calm me down…

Awe HappySheep, I like sheep…not the smell that lingers around them…little lambs are so cute and funny when they play, I had a goat, oh my they are also so funny but also very clever and intelligent…my other dog who has passed away, was best friends with Billy* and they stayed together constantly…unfortunately I had to rehome Billy..

The past few days at work have been a struggle for me…The air conditioning isn’t working properly and it’s hot in the shop…everyone seems cranky and short tempered…I was asking our customers if they wanted a cup of cold water…to my surprise, so many said yes and we’re grateful for something cold to cool them off…my boss..well ex boss.. now my Welfare boss told me that I was doing a nice thing…that made me feel good…

Long post, I know and I’m sorry, it’s just that I’m feeling lonely and sad…just wanted to talk as I have no one here in r/l to talk to…I kind of bombarded you all…

Hugs, love and care everyone…🤗💜🌹..

Grandy..

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

One_More_Day — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 10:43:31 GMT

Very Larson - cows just hanging out meditating. Hilarious.

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

One_More_Day — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 10:47:19 GMT

Thanks everyone, very uplifiting and cannot wait to listen/watch, Ballet of the Unhatched Chickens. Even if I never see it, just knowing it exists fills me with hope.

Mooooo.

OMD.

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

HappySheep — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 11:32:32 GMT

Hi Grandy, So sorry you had to rehome Billy, that must be one of the hardest things ever.

My little puppy (10 weeks now) is an absolute unexpected godsend. I had three dogs and two of them died within the last six months. Both had to be euthanized for separate reasons. One had been with me for 14 years, the other 12. I knew I'd have to get the remaining dog a friend eventually but was not ready for another dog but knew someone who rescued a litter of tiny puppies. So when she asked if I would like one ...

After several weeks of completely ignoring him, Dog 1 and Puppy are now the best of friends. It's so wonderful to watch Dog 1, who spent the first half of her life with much older dogs, now revert to being a puppy herself. So full of energy. She steals all his toys and climbs on the couch with them to tease him because he cannot reach. No need for tv when you have puppies.

I love the way you have handled the lack of air con in the shop and made everyone who comes in, feel a bit better about the world. What a wonderful way you have about you to make a positive impact on people!

I've had a very good/bad couple of days. On the good side - I bit the bullet and handed in my resignation at work. Such a massive relief. On the bad side, my boss has been playing silly buggers and I have no idea what she is saying about me and my extended sick leave etc.etc. The really fabulous plus side is that I bit the bullet today and phoned a couple of work colleagues to let them know. I have been ashamed and embarrassed about being on leave and knowing my boss will have been scapegoating me for some crisis stuff that's been happening. Turns out I was wrong and catastrophising (Who, me ??? 🤣) I had some really lovely conversations with people I thought of as colleagues but who obviously thought more than that of me. Sometimes ya just gotta have the courage to risk yourself! So very positive in all.

Do you know what else I've done in the past couple of days that has been amazing and may interest some of the rest of you (maybe not those with PTSD). The Australian War Memorial has a new volunteer program that I've joined. They scan all these old diaries and letters and they are asking volunteers to transcribe them. It's brilliant. Ive spent the last couple of days reading the diary of a man in the Boer War and the love letters written by a soldier in WWII. From his letters it sounded like his girl was losing interest and then, next letter, he's a POW in Germany, then we get a letter she wrote to him ... And I have no idea if he ever made it home or they got together. But it has been great fun and really important to play a (tiny) part in transcribing these docs for posterity.

Hope everyone else is finding some joy in the world.

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Eagle Ray — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 12:27:46 GMT

Hello Everyone 🤗

That’s so lovely of you to offer water to people Grandy. I’m sure that was very much appreciated. And you haven’t bombarded us at all! It’s always lovely to hear from you. I have felt extremely lonely and sad today myself. I have spent most of it crying (sorry, I know this is meant to be a good things thread). But wanted you to know I’m sending you a big hug of support 🤗 On the good side, I had to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy and the ladies there were so kind to me. Also, one of the townspeople told me he has just got his children a new puppy 🐶 But on the same day he brought the puppy home his wife told him she was pregnant, unexpectedly. He had almost brought home two puppies and is glad now it was just one, as they are going to have their hands full with a new baby. But they are happy 😊

OMD, that is so true about Larson and the cows. My cousin had a couple of Larson comic books and I remember rolllicking with laughter reading them. If I knew how to draw (which I’m definitely not good at) I think I’d love to make humorous cartoons. The imagination could run wild and it would be so much fun to draw it.

And Happy Sheep I’m so glad you have your puppy 💗 That’s so gorgeous your other dog is reverting to her puppy self. I lived at the back of a former landlord’s place and the situation was the same. Their older female dog was somewhat indifferent to the new puppy they brought home. But after a few weeks they were romping and playing, especially tug of war. I used to play a chasey game with them actually where either myself or one of the dogs possessed the tennis ball and it was a kind of hide and seek try and get the ball off me game. They gave me heaps of exercise. I agree, absolutely no need for TV with puppies! I’m really glad for you that you have had that support from your workplace. The volunteer job transcribing the war diaries and letters sounds fascinating. That’s wonderful you are doing that.

Lots of love and hugs to Everyone 🤗💕

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

HappySheep — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:00:55 GMT

Hi ER and Grandy, I hope today is a better day for you both.

I just wanted to clarify, in case anyone is interested, the war memorial thing is online - google their website. So, anyone can log in, have a read, assist transcribing if you want - for five minutes or five hours. That's why it's so great. Available to anyone, anytime. No pressure and you don't have to leave home to have a look.

Re: Did You See, Hear or Do something that gave you a bit of a happiness feeling?…

Eagle Ray — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:13:16 GMT

Dear Happy Sheep,

I realised I have looked at the Australian War Memorial website before as I have a relative whose story is on there. He was killed in action in WWII aged 19. It gives a bit of a biography of him, where he grew up, trained and fought in battles. It is moving to read. It's great what you are doing. I haven't actually logged in before which may give me access to more things, maybe like what you are transcribing.

And Dear Grandy,

I hope you feel a bit better today. I have to honestly say I did not feel better today, but I know that just as the saying goes that what goes up must come down, that which goes down must come up, so I am doing my best to trust I will feel more up again soon. I am a bit better tonight anyway.

I did see some things that gave a happy feeling while out on a walk. The first was a little bandicoot who crossed onto the path in front of me and snuffled about. They are so cute! I just waited for him or her to finish their snuffling and go back into the bush so I didn't scare them away. I also saw quite a few kangaroos and birds as well. The special surprise with the birds was a little quail which I think was a Painted Button Quail from the size, form and movements of the bird. I was watching from a distance so I didn't scare him or her away. They are incredibly sweet. If you want to see how sweet they are you can google "painted button quail".

I hope you both, and anyone else reading, is having a lovely evening.

Take care and big hugs 🤗

Eagle Ray