The Happiness Challenge

The August Happiness Challenge comes to me via The Gal, who mentioned it a few weeks ago on her blog.

The idea is to post daily about something that makes you happy, or at least content. She suggests using the same picture with the post.

For August 1, my happiness is:

I had a healthy salad for lunch.

Yahoo!

Bluebird of Happiness

Birthday Tarot Reading: Tarot.com

SELF

THE MAGICIAN

SITUATION

ACE OF WANDS

CHALLENGES

SEVEN OF WANDS

RECENT PAST

TEN OF SWORDS

HIGHER POWER

THE SUN

NEAR FUTURE

QUEEN OF COINS

BLOCKERS & INHIBITIONS

FOUR OF WANDS

ALLIES

PAGE OF CUPS

ADVICE

THE TOWER

LONG-TERM POTENTIAL

TEN OF WANDS

Self

The Magician

You have a talent for creating something from nothing.

The Magus symbolizes imagination, creativity and an inventive nature. Your unique intelligence and talent for clever experimentation is a valuable asset. The Magus serves as a catalyst, an agent of change. His influence is a fresh breeze blowing through any situation.

So be playful, and stay open. Don't limit yourself, the possibilities are endless. Try things, see what happens and correct your course as you go. Tease open the minds of those who are watching to see what you will do.

Situation

Ace of Wands

You have an opportunity to help bring a group to a single, harmonizing focus.

The Ace of Wands in this position reminds us of certain unifying truths. One of these self-evident truths could be coming into focus around you at this time. Perhaps you are being called upon to witness or facilitate the gathering of the collective mind into a single focal point. Such situations are both awe inspiring and educational.

You have an excellent opportunity to rally the troops if you remain non-competitive. Apply yourself for the sake of the collective good and maintain the kinds of high standards that inspire people.

Challenges/​Opportunities

Seven of Wands

An opportunity to surpass past performances can be enjoyed; rivalry and vindictiveness are indefensible.

When the Seven of Wands is in this position, stay focused on surpassing your current record of performance in a clean, fun, energized way, avoiding the snares of stressful competitiveness. Resist falling back on negative comparisons, vindictive thoughts or actions that disable emotional energy.

Rivalry and petty one-upmanship is not your style -- no matter what people may expect of you. Don't lose your focus, which should be fixed on securing a "personal best."

Recent Past

Ten of Swords

You are moving forward from a devastating time, gaining distance from tragedy.

With the Ten of Swords in this position, you are just emerging from a very difficult time in which it was necessary to confront the end of a cycle or some kind of dead end. Things will never be the same. With this card, a sense of tragedy can hardly be escaped, but at least with it in this position, you are moving on.

Tragedy is in the past; its influence is waning. You are securing some distance from the defeated state that once prevailed. You are feeling better now. Be grateful. You are healing and things are going to be getting better.

Higher Power

The Sun

The exceptional circumstances that surround you are the natural result of pure motives and hard work.

Higher Power is blessing you with a shower of rewards. Relax and absorb them. Acknowledge that you deserve it. Let your self-image be enhanced by what the outer world and your spiritual guides are telling you. They are happy with your performance, the value you bring to the world and the optimism you stimulate in others. You are serving as a shining role model. Whatever you touch turns to gold. Even though such a state can't be maintained forever, the residual effect of these blessings will help you deal with the new temptations, challenges and twists of fate.

Near Future

Queen of Coins

Be prudent. Concentrate on what is most realistic and practical when it comes to your immediate prospects.

With the Queen of Coins in this position, you will soon have a chance to test your dream against reality. The effort and time you have invested in some enterprise or relationship is about to bear magnificent fruit.

We shall see how sensibly you behave when there are no external limits on where you spend your energy, talents and money. To maximize what is good about the Queen of Coins, you should focus on what is practical and sensible. Invest your energy and resources wisely. Otherwise her more exuberant side could take over and your gains will degenerate into one long, expensive party.

Blockers & Inhibitions

Four of Wands

Don't allow your independent streak to prevent useful teamwork from happening.

When the Four of Wands falls in this position, it indicates alienation from the very people with whom you could share creative work. No matter why you chose to isolate yourself or to hold your energy back, it is now clear that you will not be fulfilled until you emerge again.

Take action to find those like-minded souls you have been missing and renew your efforts to pursue your dreams.

Allies

Page of Cups

Don't overlook seemingly unimportant individuals; you may need their expertise.

The Page of Cups in this position serves as the eyes and ears in situations of power, and humbly gains the trust of decision-makers. With that in mind, never assume that a person's worth is based on rank.

This card holds the key to unlocking a mystery or solving a puzzle. It can inform you about certain developments, motives and patterns of behavior that will greatly advance your goals. The energy of this card can discover information you can't normally get. Be respectful of this service. You can benefit from what It knows.

Advice

The Tower

You are the one to serve as a catalyst for change.

With the Tower card, think of yourself as an agent of transformation. This self-sacrificing role is likely to create stressful situations. Your vision shows you that a radical change has already been unleashed by forces much larger than mere mortals, and therefore you are no longer resisting.

Now you may be at the forefront, acknowledging and accepting the bracing presence of the future bursting in on the present. Try to mediate the harsher parts of the changes as they unfold, so the most vulnerable are the most cushioned. Acknowledge yourself, as well as the others in your life, who are offering their resources to usher in a better future.

Long-term Potential

Ten of Wands

Closure will come as you complete your mission with confidence.

The Ten of Wands in this position reveals your potential to complete a long time mission that is very close to your heart. If you continue to stay your course, repeat your energetic efforts as much as needed, and build a solid body of accomplishments, you will succeed at fulfilling the goal you set long ago.

Closure is sure to come, freeing you for other endeavors. The process will have raised your self-esteem. You will possess the confidence of a person who can target an ambitious goal, work toward it systematically and achieve it in no uncertain terms. This experience will give you a strong foundation of trust in yourself, personal strength and reliability.

August 10 Happiness Challenge

I have spent the day alone. Being an introvert, I like my alone time. It has been a good day for me to do relaxing things and continue to try to overcome this sinus infection.

I certainly don't want to go out in public sounding like a froggy! (Which is what I sound like now.)

Additionally, I learned that a friend who was hit by a car (!) in a parking lot is going to be ok. Very battered and bruised, but ok. I am very thankful for that.

I am also happy for my friends who called today to see how I was feeling.

Additionally, I am happy that I have a husband to call when suspicious pick up trucks decide to put in unwanted appearances.

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

August 5 Happiness Challenge

 

Today I saw my chiropractor, and she helped my back. I also went to the grocery store and I'm very happy that I no longer have to worry about toilet paper being in stock.

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

More Life Lessons

Family members are deceitful and will turn on you faster than any hand-picked friend every thought about doing.

Blood may be thicker than water, but it stinks worse, too.

White male privilege is the bane of this world.

Money is indeed the root of all that is wrong with this country. It is the God of the USA. The former guy represents money, hence the worship of him.

Not much in life is worth the hassle.

I am cursed.

Cool Car Design

I saw this car and thought it was cool. I wish I had the courage to decorate my car.

Dona Nobis Pacem

 

If I Had A Band

This is what it would look like . . .

 

 

Merry Christmas 2019

Merry Christmas from Blue Country Magic!

 

May all of your days be magical.

 

Pucker Up

Any guesses as to what this autumn fruit might be?

Happy Friday

Today I was happy to see some old style video games in a restaurant. I wasn't able to play them, but it brought back some interesting nostalgia.

I used to be fairly decent at Centipede. I was never very good at anything else, and I still don't consider myself a video game ace even though I have been playing them forever.

You don't have to excel at something for it to bring joy.

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world. Check out the gal that initiated this here.

Happiness Friday

The writing is going well, even if it is a bit exhausting.

Oh, and it's not 100 degrees today.



Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world. Check out the gal that initiated this here.

Happiness Wednesday

Today I made a decision and stood up for myself, ending something that had been going for five weeks.

So there.

Doing so made me happy.



Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world. Check out the gal that initiated this here.

Happiness Tuesday

This morning I'm going to the physical therapist. That in and of itself doesn't make me happy, but I am happy that I have the services of a quality physical therapist available in my area. It helps when people know what they're doing.


Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world. Check out the gal that initiated this here.

The Happiness Challenge

One of my blogging buddies initiated a "happiness challenge" for August.

I meant to participate in it everyday, but I was busy and wrapped up in other things and forgot about it.

It's never too late to partake in a happiness challenge, is it? I hope not.

Along with this goes some picture or something that makes me happy to see. I haven't figured that one out yet.

Hmm.

Anyway, what am I happy about today?

I'm happy I have a home and shelter as thunderstorms move in. That's what I'm happy about today. Because while I like to watch a good thunderstorm, I don't particularly want to be outside in one.

And here's a picture that makes me happy, although I don't know if I want to see it everyday.

Photo by my friend B. during one of her trips.
I think she was near Roswell or Area 51.

Merry Christmas, Dear Readers

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my readers out there. I don't know who many of you are - I know by the numbers you are there, though.

Thank you for spending a few moments of your life with me and my little musings and photos. I greatly appreciate the fact that you are engaged enough to return and that some of you comment. Whether you read only or comment, too, I am humbled by the fact that you are here.

Writing a blog for this long takes a lot of effort. I've been using this particular blog since August 2006, which is a very long time. I don't know how long many of you have been reading but I know that some of you have been commenting for years. It's like a little club of friends I've never met and probably never will meet, but it is nice to know you're out there.

I hope that 2019 is a wonderful year for all of you - for all of us - and that you have all you need to make your life sweet and good.

Be kind to one another; the world needs our gentleness in these hard-hearted days.

Be blessed, and feel loved.

I am very glad you're walking beside me, in whatever form that takes.

A photo from my 2006 Christmas blog.

The White Streak

I bought a little game camera to place around the house to see if I could capture footage of animals I don't normally see.

This came about because an opossum scared the wits out of me the other night when it was thumping around on the front porch. I wondered what else might be out there.

So far, mostly I captured 1,500 shots of rain drops and a tree blowing in the wind.

But then there was this:

This intriguing streak across the camera that occurred in the early morning hours on Saturday.

I have no idea what it is. A piece of a tree branch blown off in the wind? A bug? A bat?

A wayward snowflake?

A ghost?

Anyway, so far it's the most interesting image to come out of my game camera. We'll see what else shows up as time passes and I keep moving the thing to different spots around the exterior of the house.

Dona Nobis Pacem

I haven't participated in the November 4 Peace Blog in quite a while, but this seems like a good time to get back to it. I can't stand the hatred that seems to be flowing in waves across not only the United States but most of the world. Why must people be mean when it is just as easy to be kind?


To learn more about peace blogging, check out the information here.

When You're So Mad You Could Just Spit

Today I am angry.

This is how angry I am.

Spit. Spit. Spit. Spit. Hooey. Spit. Spit. Spit. Spit. Spit. Hooey. Spit. Spit. Spit. Spit. Hooey.

Somewhere in there, there should be lots of curse words, like !*&$(#%*#)(_#%*()#*()#%*)(!@*()#%*()!*()$)(*#%*()!*()!@*()$!@$)*(*()$@)(#_)!@#*()$()*#!$*)($

And then more spitting.

Double Nickel Day

They say it's my birthday!
Happy birthday to me!

This is one of those years that ends in "5" - as in, 55. I am firmly middle-aged and heading towards old.

Young me

 

Old me.