Feel Good Friday: Have a Beautiful Day

Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day weekend, but whether you have a honey or not, don’t you know people (friends, family, male or female) who are just plain beautiful? I have friends who seem to glow from within—their energy is of beauty and light.

I saw the first video on Facebook (shocker) when one of my beautiful friends posted it (possibly Jennifer M?) It makes me cry every time I watch these people being told they are beautiful. In most cases, their faces light up, and it changes their whole persona. Since I saw this a few weeks ago, I’ve started looking at the people around me when I’m out and about and, if I see something about them that I genuinely like I let them know. Not in a creepy, stalker way, but I’ll tell them that I like a coat or scarf or hair color or purse. People react in a similar way to the video—they pause and smile, and it makes what they’re wearing all the more attractive.  

The second video is a song just to put you in the mood for the above exercise. I’m not really a 1D fan, but the carpool karaoke with James Cordon is just too good not to post. It will definitely make you smile. And, truly, the complete 13 minute segment is worth watching on YouTube, if you have time. 

It takes only a few seconds to make someone feel better and to make you Feel Good, too. Try telling someone he or she is beautiful this weekend—or that you like his or her shoes—and see even more beauty shine through. 

Feel Good Friday: The world lights up like a Christmas tree

After a difficult Thursday, I stumbled on a video I'd been looking for all week, and it instantly put a smile on my face. I heard this on a Canadian radio station, and I thought it was really sweet. The boppy beat pushed some of my fears away for a few minutes and made me want to finish decorating the house. I hope you have a great weekend in the Spirit of Christmas. Most of all, "I wish you love."  

Feel Good Friday: I Got the Blues

It's been an awesome week, but today, thanks to some Facebook friends, I've got the Blues. And I'm giving them to you. These blues make you Feel Good, especially when you crank up the volume a little. 

First up, William Holowka posted this video of kd lang's first appearance on Johnny Carson. Her birthday was Nov. 2. Thanks, Bill! If you want something a bit stronger--as in one of the most powerful videos I've ever experienced--click here for her "Hallelujah."   

Second, Kay Sedgmer posted "Drink You Away" with Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton at the CMA Awards show this week. Holy cats, JT can sing! The crowd of industry pros is mesmerized. It's just the thing to get you ready for Happy Hour (to be posted on Instagram later today.) Thanks, Kay! Enjoy and have a GREAT weekend!

Feel Good Friday: Once a Day

Wow, whatta ride life is lately! I'll be relaying parts of this process in my Glynis Daily blog, but sometimes life is a whirlwind of choices, events and directions. This video caught my eye this week via friend Lila Danielle (author, founder of Beach Dance and free spirit role model--check out her retreats and Beach Dance sessions on Facebook and www.beachdance.com.) 

At any rate, this peppy video has an important message: you don't know what life is going to bring, so show someone you care about them every day. So "rise up," put on some flip-flops--or kick them off--and dance like yourself, just like the happy people in the video. Have a great weekend!

Feel Good Friday: Gimme Three Steps

Though I wasn't doing anything naughty, Friday sort of snuck up on me. I'm living in a whirlwind right now and could use a little extra time to get my bearings. Some of my thoughts have been about old friends and haunts in Pennsylvania, making me Feel Good and nostalgic. And, in those days, we listened to Lynyrd Skynyrd a LOT. So given that and the fact that this band will be playing about 5 miles away at Jamboree in the Hills this weekend, put your cowboy boots (or running shoes) on, and skedaddle with some old school Skynyrd.  Have a great weekend!

Feel Good Friday: "The Sun is Up, the Sky is Blue..."

Sometimes we get too involved with what we’re doing. I’ve gotten into a bad habit of taking my phone off of the “airplane” setting before I get out of bed in the morning. It begins dinging, and there are text messages and emails to address straight away. And I’m off and running until, oh, well, it’s 1:15 a.m. now. My column in this Sunday’s paper is about disconnecting from the world-at-large for awhile. I had the opportunity to do that yesterday.

It was a wonderful gift from my friend Carol Borkoski.  I’ve been feeling stuck and rundown from trying to make life decisions and spinning my wheels. She said, “I have this new technique to unblock your energy. It will open everything up. You have to come over.” So I set an appointment, and going through the process was unlike anything I’d done before. I felt much “lighter” inside when I left. (Reach Carol through Facebook or the Angel Gift Center.)

The amazing-ness continued after I left. First, I received four times the money I expected for something. When I got home, someone who made an offer on the house stopped to see if it was okay and wants to put the purchase in motion. After working on a feature due this weekend, I started searching for houses online. I’ve had a wish list in my head, but 90 percent of those that fit the bill are out of my range. Tonight I punched in a zip code expecting zero results and got what appears to be a real contender. I’m calling the realtor today for more information.

When we relax and just “be,” things come to us. We don’t have to be intense all the time. This Beatles song is a favorite and is about Mia Farrow’s sister Prudence, who became obsessed with meditation and locked herself away from everyone. John Lennon was trying to get her to step away from the intensity, appreciate the simple things around her, and just play for awhile.

Truly, just seeing adorable Paul in the video makes me Feel Good already this Friday. And what better time to smile and look around, round, round than a long weekend? Enjoy!  

Feel Good Friday: Cinco de Mayo

Since it’s Friday, we’re going to start the Cinco de Mayo party a little early. First, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army winning the Battle of Puebla against the French army—known as one of the most powerful military forces at the time--in 1862. Today the holiday is a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, mainly in the United States and Mexico.

But it IS a celebration with food and music and dancing and…margaritas. No one is quite sure how, when or where the margarita came about, but tequila was smuggled over the Mexican border during Prohibition, and it was becoming more popular by the 1940s. One origin story credits an Irish bartender in Tijuana for accidently making a tequila “daisy”—a popular genre of drinks at the time using spirits, citrus and sweeteners. “Margarita” is Spanish for “daisy.”

Another version points to a drink called the Picador, made with tequila, Cointreau and lime, documented in 1937 London. The drink’s popularity really took off when the frozen margarita machine came on the scene in the early 1970s. A Texas restaurateur modified a soft-serve ice cream machine and started a new craze.      

One of the best margaritas I’ve ever had was at a Mexican restaurant in Carmel, California. It was a Cadillac margarita made with Jose Cuervo Especial Gold tequila and Grand Marnier. Mmmm, mmm, bueno, and here’s the recipe:

• 1 1⁄2 ounces tequila
• 3 ounces prepared sweet-and-sour mix
• 3⁄4 ounce triple sec
• 3⁄4 ounce lime juice
• Grand Marnier

1. Add tequila, triple sec, sweet and sour mix, and lime juice to a shaker with ice; shake.
2. Pour over ice in salt-rimmed margarita glass.
3. Top off with Grand Marnier, and garnish with slice of lime.

There is no fiesta without music, so here’s a fun video--"Bailando (Dancing)"--to help you get shaking. Viva the weekend!