Everyone writes for a different reason. My reason is because I want to share that feeling of “the world is an awesome place and I’m so glad to be living in it” with everyone. If you read one of my stories — currently sweet romances about rekindling flames at a five-year high school reunion — the one emotion I want you to feel is that chest swelling lift that life is good. Relationships make people stronger inside. We just have to open ourselves up to love and goodness will come flowing in.
This is super-important to me, because the hard knocks of newspapers and TV and real life can sometimes put me out of a good mood. When I am out of a good mood, I am less productive, less fun to be around, and just…well…less.
When I need to recharge, here are some of my best places:
1. Best Friends Magazine: Rescued animals and volunteers making a difference! I originally read this magazine at my grandma’s house. You can subscribe, view past issues online, or even schedule a tour of their no-kill pet haven in Utah. Each story brings a happy “the-world-truly-does-care” tear to my eye!
2. Good News Network: I’m not a daily subscriber or anything, but I have often thought of doing a daily/weekly/monthly roundup of happy stories I read in the news, and this site alleviates the guilt I may feel for not starting that venture.
3. My Flickr “Kisses” gallery. Each picture tells the start of someone’s happy story…
4. 60 Short Love Stories. Makes Me Think has sad and disturbing stories mixed with the happy ones, but this post has collected 60 of their favorite love stories. Each one is a tiny paragraph, submitted by a reader, all happy and all true. I cruise by and read a few when I need a pick-me-up. It’s like hearing how-we-met stories although they can be love for pets or friends as well.
5. An Engineer’s Guide to Cats. Comedy is extremely subjective, which is why my favorite sites for comedy (damnyouautocorrect.com, Cracked.com, The Onion) may not give you a boost. However, An Engineer’s Guide to Cats is their first and best video. I hope that you will consider bringing an engineer into your life.