Lemons to Lemonade - Addie Johnson

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It's time to

      shine up your sense of wonder and see the world in a new light.

      Make some new discoveries, and don't forget to pass them on

      through the magic of your own creativity.

      10

      Stop trying so hard. The harder you try to make yourself happy,

      or the more you focus on “being happy” for its own sake, with-

      out connecting it to actions in your life, the more it eludes you.

      Get out there and do it!

      11

       More Laughing

      Somebody told me that an average kindergartner laughs 300

      times a day, while an adult averages seventeen times. This

      makes me want to be a kindergarten teacher.

      13

       Laughing at Yourself

      Persnickety, controlling, stiff. I catch myself in this mode and I

      have to laugh. More fun to be the wild, goofy child poking fun

      at my uptight self.

      14

      Some people are tough customers, whether they're actual cus-

      tomers, bosses, employees, friends, or even family. Don't let

      it drain your energy. Figure out the minimum contact you can

      have, make it as pleasant as possible, and move on. Don't let

      anybody sap your energy.

      16

       Creativity

      The spark of creativity is life's first and greatest gift to us; we're

      conceived in that spark. And we have the chance to create

      every day, even in how we look at the world around us. We also

      get to bear witness to that spark in others through literature,

      scientific discoveries, music, and painting. If we pay attention,

      we can notice it in nature all around us: a perfect spider web,

      the formation of ice crystals on the windowpane, even a close

      examination of our own animal natures. Creation brings us joy,

      awe, and often a much needed new perspective.

      18

       Bugs

      Ever bite into an apple with a worm? Make the best of it by

      remembering that even things we sometimes think are gross

      are really, truly wonderful. Spiders are good luck. Worms help

      plants grow. Bugs as part of the ecosystem, bugs making

      honey and silk, bugs eating peskier bugs, and so much more.

      It's a good exchange for a couple of wormy apples, or for those

      twelve mosquito bites I get every summer.

      19

       A Sense of Purpose

      You may think that some work is beneath you, or that people

      are demeaned by having certain jobs. There are several ways

      to look at work you may not be excited about doing. You can

      feel demoralized or bitter about doing repetitious work that

      does not challenge or excite you, or you can find a sense of

      purpose in what you do. You can see your efforts in relation

      to the overall effect they are having as an essential part of the

      whole. Your sense of worth is in your own hands.

      22

       The Pursuit of Happiness

      I've come to the conclusion (and I ain't the first or the last to

      come to it, let me tell you) that after the basic needs of survival

      are met, the pursuit of happiness is the most important thing

      we do in our lives. Why else would we spend so much time

      thinking about it, making art about it, hoping and wishing and

      planning for it?

      24

      Infinity and Imagination

      The full reach of infinity may be beyond our imagination,

      but imagination itself is infinite.

      26

      As you wander through your life, friend,

      whatever be your goal,

      keep your eyes upon the donut

      and not upon the hole.

      27

      Happiness is all around us. We can't create it and we can't

      micromanage it. You can't force yourself to be happier. You

      can only discover it. The best way I know to do that is to put

      yourself in the path of happy accidents by doing what you love

      with purpose and staying open and aware to the possibility

      of happiness beyond your wildest dreams. Too often we hide

      away the treasure of our own happiness as if there's a limited

      supply, and we forget that life will bring plenty more for

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