{Even though he scarcely looks old enough to be enlisted, in this immensely lovely 1940s portrait studio shot, we a young sailor and his equally youthful girl beaming mile wide-smiles for the camera. No background information is provided for this photo, and I can't help but hope dearly that he made it through the war, they remained an item, and went on to have many more years of happiness together.}
{Vintage storefront window and street scene photography have both long fascinated me, as they hold such tantalizing glimpses into exactly how the real world looked back in the day. This great shot from 1942 combines both in one fell swoop, as we peak at pedestrians on the sidewalk in Midtown, Manhattan through a shop's front window.}
{At first glance this might just appear to be a nice vintage colour photo of two people posing on what looks most likely to be the grounds of a college or university, however, look a little closer and you'll instantly start to notice the many wonderful details of the young lady's ensemble. From her pink flower adorned hat to her studded purse, those stunning shoes to the fur collar, she's packing a rather fantastic amount of style into a single outfit, and I love every last inch of it!}
{This professional capture of two adorable yesteryear kids (most likely siblings) is so wonderfully sweet. No names, dates of other information is provided, but if we were to go off the girl's bobbed hair, this photo was most likely taken during the 1920s or early 30s. }
{Two words say speak volumes about why this photo is instantly noteworthy: Their bangs!!!}
{This 1950s colour photo is so charming and relatable. You just look this quartet of middle aged ladies - who could very easily be your own mother, aunts, and/or grandmas - and feel comforted, loved and sure that a great meal is coming your way any minute.}
{It was the placement of the elegant cake in this fifties wedding shot that instantly ensured it caught my eye. Smack, dab in the center, it's slightly more in focus than the bride and groom, and was clearly an important - and very beautiful - part of this couple's wedding day.}
{It's casual attire such as saddle shoes and cuffed jeans for this group of the 1940s gals - identified as Peggy, Marya, Norma and Velva - as they relax in rustic log cabin in front of the fireplace.}
{This is what childhood (whether in the 50s, as in this shot, or today) should always be like - excitement, sunshine, family to hang out with, and big, a carefree smile across your face.}
{All images above are from Flickr. To learn more about a specific image, please click on it to be taken to its respective Flickr page.}
If someone asked me for a list of the words that best describe me, without skipping a beat, "happy" would come out right near the top of the pile. Like all of us, I have my blue days, my off days, and those days when it would probably take a basket of puppies to get me to break into a smile, but over all, I would consider myself a very happy person.
In part I believe that I just happen to have a sunny disposition, but another factor is that throughout my life, even in the face of great adversity, hardship or pain, I have made a mental effort to remain positive, (realistically) optimistic, and happy. Does that mean that I haven't frowned, scowled, or sighed along the way? Goodness, no! However, I've come to learn that it is very often doing such things - allowing yourself to confront and truly feel your negative thoughts and emotions - that quickly help but them behind you, and in turn usher a general sense of happiness back into your day (or your whole life, as the case may be).
I'm anything but naive and I know that happiness is much more complex and multi-faceted than merely possessing a drive and desire to feel happy, but both of those factors do truly go a very long way in delivering you to your goal of feeling pretty darn joyful as you go about your daily life.
Happiness is important not only because of how it affects us on individual basis, but also, I firmly believe - as Mark Twain so succinctly summed things up in today's feature quote - that happiness in oneself breeds happiness in others. Just as a seemingly simple simple smile can be contagious, so too can a sense of happiness.
One has only to think of the last occasion in which they spent a good chunk of time with someone was in foul, sad, or downtrodden mood to know how quickly someone else's attitude and emotions can easily effect your own. Chances are, in such a setting, though you may have tried to cheer the person up, something - some silent quality - of the person's mood rubbed off on you in the moment (or perhaps even longer).
By contrast, think instead to the last time you hung out with someone who was bubbly, jovial, and genuinely upbeat? Chances are your own mood quickly fell into pace with that individual's and you were keen to keep the good feelings rolling for as long as possible afterwards. Happiness might not be the easiest thing in the world to come by, but it's far from the hardest either, and whether that flame is lit for you my someone else's outlook or or your own internal source, once you've got the fire of happiness going, by all means spread it far and near.
The tail end of January (at least in the western hemisphere) is by no means the most rosy and enjoyable time of the year by any stretch of the imagination. We've slogged our way through a couple of months (or more!) of winter, nature's palette contains about as many shades as a single grey paint chip, and chances are spring is still anywhere from one to three months away, depending on where you reside.
Now is the time when a single spark of happiness can quickly turn into a raging inferno, if you let it, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Who amongst us - including those like me who are often naturally in good spirits - can't use more happiness, reasons to smile, and cheer in their life? The simple answer is, quite frankly, no one.
So if you're feeling like you're in a good mood these days, be sure to let others know, spread your joy, and brighten up someone's wintry day - and life - with your own wonderful brand of happiness.
